Magnetron powered at 400hz??

Question

Does anyone know if you can power a magnetron for a microwave oven that normally runs with 60 hz with a 400 hz signal. I know the signal into the magnetron gets rectified to a halfwave doubled DC but does the frequency input affect the output frequency?

Answer 1

You would have to build your own 400Hz transformer and rectifier. The magnetron works off high voltage DC, so you can use the same magnetron. But the 60Hz high voltage transformer / rectifier will not run at 400Hz. You can use the same smoothing capacitor, though. Don't forget a winding for the filament, this will run OK at 400Hz.

Take care. Magnetrons are BLOODY DANGEROUS!

Answer 2

A 60Hz transformer (as the one in the microwave) would probably function very poorly at 400Hz line frequency.

Because the magnetron needs such a high voltage at nearly a kilowatt power level, you really don't have much alternative here.

Unless you're made of money, you're probably going to have to just settle for 60Hz operation.

EDIT: 400Hz isn't a line frequency found in north American homes. It's usually found on military ships and other mobile military installations. It's odd that you need specifically a 400Hz compatibility.