[Histonet] micowave QA??

[lpwenk <@t> sbcglobal.net]

By ". . . it is losing microwave waves . . ."

Do you mean
- the apparatus is leaking microwave radiation around the seals?
- the magnetron is becoming weaker and less efficient at making microwaves?

The magnetron, as it ages, does produce fewer microwaves, so as a result,
the 900 watt machine you bought, say, 5 years ago is now  producing less
than 900 watts. Which is why it takes longer to heat anything (coplin jar of
stains in the lab, or the casserole at home).

A couple of years ago, I attended a workshop given by Steven Slap. He talked
about doing yearly measurements of the wattage of the microwave (and the
time intervals, and a few other things) to find out the true wattage.

I came up with a 1 page worksheet for my students that we use every year,
when I'm teaching about microwaves (learned from Steven Slap, Jan Minshew,
Nathan Brinn  and Dick Dapson - thank you to all of you). I gave a copy of
the worksheet to Steven, and he used it in some of his later microwave
workshops. So I guess this makes the worksheet Steven Slap-approved (I do
miss him already).

If anyone would like a copy of my microwave calibration worksheet (1 page),
email me at WORK (not a "reply" to this home address) at pwenk <@t> beaumont.edu

It does all fit on one page (Word), but you might have to play around with
it, when you receive it, to get it to fit. It is a tight fit.

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI 48073

----- Original Message -----
From: <KMB1904 <@t> aol.com>
To: <histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu>
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 5:28 AM
Subject: [Histonet] micowave QA??


> Does anyone have a way of checking the working ability of their
microwave??
> We just had JACHO...and the woman said we should be checking it for
> temperature consistency..and actually she thought checking it to see if it
is losing
> microwave waves........Our biomed guys tell us that they are not
responsible for
> microwaves..and  I dont know where to start on this one....Any help is
> appreciated !!  Thank you in advance!!
>  Kathy Bowden HT
> Nanticoke Memorial Hospital
> Seaford, De 19973
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