Frigidaire microwaves are designed to have more than one fuse to keep them operating normally and safely. However, one of the common issues that one might encounter is when the fuse keeps blowing for no apparent reason.
If you’re having this problem with your Frigidaire Microwave, then you’re in luck. In this article, we will guide you on how to troubleshoot the problem, figure out what’s causing it, and give you a simple solution.
What is a fuse’s function?
First, it’s important to know what the purpose of a fuse is in a microwave oven. Basically, a fuse’s function is to protect your device or home appliance by preventing too much current to pass through the electrical circuit. For microwaves, there are generally multiple types of fuses to ensure that it can operate safely.
There’s the main fuse that functions by cutting the flow of electricity if there’s more than the typical current needed for operation, and a thermal fuse that prevents electrical flow if it’s heated to a specific temperature.
What Happens When a Fuse is Blown?
Your microwave oven’s fuse is the one responsible for power to gin and out of it. If it’s blown, the microwave won’t be able to receive power and will not function.
How to Replace a Blown Fuse
It’s true that microwave ovens are very complicated kitchen appliances. They can store high amounts of electricity and can be dangerous to anyone attempting to do the repair themselves without any prior knowledge. However, some of the repairs can be done in order for your microwave to operate properly.
First, unplug the microwave oven to prevent the possibility of electric shock. Depending on your microwave oven model, you will need to check first where the fuse is located and gain access. Determine if the fuse is blown with a multimeter to test for continuity. Know which fuse you need to replace, and what type you will need.
1. A Power Surge is Causing the Fuse to Keep Getting Blown
A power surge is an unexpected increase of electrical power that’s higher than the typical household voltage level. When this occurs, it may cause your Frigidaire microwave’s fuse to blow.
The first place you’ll want to check is your home’s electrical panel. With a multimeter, you can test out if the fuse is blown by checking for continuity. If it’s not detected, you will need to replace a fuse in your home’s electrical panel.
2. Your Home’s Power Outlet or Wiring is Already Faulty
A faulty power outlet in your home can result in your Frigidaire microwave, or any device or home appliance not functioning properly.
One of the most common reasons why a fuse gets blown is a faulty power outlet or wiring. Damaged or outdated electrical outlets may be worn out, which may cause power surges that will trip a circuit.
The first thing you’ll want to do is to isolate the issue first. Does the issue only happen on a specific power outlet? If yes, have that faulty power outlet repaired. It will also be ideal to have a professional inspect other faulty or damaged outlets as a way to ensure your Frigidaire microwave, as well as your other home appliance, is safe to use.
3. A Faulty Door Switch is Causing the Fuse to Blow
Your Frigidaire microwave’s door switches may already be faulty, so it trips a fuse to cut off power as a safety measure.
Microwaves are typically built with multiple door switches to ensure it’s operating safely. This does it by making sure that the door is closed to prevent anyone from being exposed to the harmful microwaves when it’s operating. However, when one or more of these become faulty even through normal use over time, it can get stuck and keep on tripping the fuse.
Oftentimes, a door switch is one of the most common reasons why a microwave oven’s fuse blows. Microwave door switches, also known as door interlocks, get worn out since you have to open and close the microwave door regularly to use it.
If a fuse blows when you open the microwave door while it is operating, take it as a sign that a door interlock switch may be the cause.
Furthermore, Microwave door switches that are incorrectly installed can also cause the fuse to blow.
One of the best ways to test this is with a multimeter. Check for a continuous electric path with a multimeter to find out if your door switch needs to be replaced.
If you’re looking to replace a faulty door switch on your own, make sure you follow the safety guidelines before attempting the repair yourself.
When attempting to replace the door switch, remove the cover first to locate it. It’s normally below the area where the hooks connect and latch into the microwave’s frame. Check first for continuity with a multimeter. As an indication, there should be continuity when the actuator is pressed, and none when it’s released.
Be warned. Microwave ovens are capable of storing large amounts of electricity that can be lethal. It would be in your best interest to leave the repairs to an authorized Frigidaire service center, or contact licensed professionals to do the job for you.
4. The Magnetron is Malfunctioning
Your Frigidaire microwave’s magnetron is already malfunctioning, causing the fuse to blow.
The magnetron of the microwave is responsible for heating up your food. When this malfunctions, it could be the reason why your Frigidaire microwave keeps blowing its fuse.
As replacing a magnetron requires opening the microwave, please be aware of the safety guidelines when doing so. It would be most ideal to get it serviced by an authorized Frigidaire personnel, or if they are not within reach, you may get in touch with a licensed technician for the repairs.
5. The High Voltage Capacitor is Burned Out, Causing the Fuse to Blow
The high voltage capacitor of your Frigidaire microwave is already burned out. It may be the reason why it’s blowing a fuse.
The high voltage capacitor is responsible for converting the transformer to DC voltage and doubling the output. If this turns out, it may cause an overcurrent due to overvoltage that leads to the fuse blowing. It may need to be replaced.
A high voltage capacitor has a fail-safe mechanism due to the amount of voltage it can store. When it malfunctions, it will automatically blow a fuse when it stars and will not operate for your own protection.
A high voltage capacitor can fail or be faulty for many reasons. If it’s still new, the capacitor itself may already be faulty from the start. Physical damage during delivery or transport may also have caused it to malfunction. However, if it’s an old microwave, it may have simply degraded and got worn out after extensive use.
If you want to explore your microwave and do the replacement yourself, it may prove to be a challenging task. However, since a high voltage capacitor can contain lethal amounts of voltage that can lead to serious harm or even death, have a certified technician or a local appliance repair company work on this instead.
Read More: Frigidaire Microwave Keeps On Tripping The Circuit Breaker (Here’s The Fix!)
6. A Piece of Metal may be the Culprit
A piece of metal may be the cause of a short circuit, leading up to your Frigidaire microwave’s fuse blowing.
Inspect your microwave oven for any piece of metal, be it screw, utensils, or any possible object as these may be the cause of short circuits. Check for any suspicious or loose objects. These may be the reasons why your microwave is short-circuiting. You may also clean the microwave oven to be sure.
Caution: Avoid touching interior metal parts that are exposed should there be any. If you’re unsure what to do when this happens, have a licensed technician or home electrical services inspect your microwave oven.
7. The Cooling Fan is Not Working Properly or Not at All
The fan of your Frigidaire microwave may have already died or is not working as it should. This could cause overheating and maybe the cause of the problem.
First, inspect the fan for any possible objects obstructing the fan blades. Something might have gotten stuck in the fan, preventing it from operating normally.
Dust build-up and grease can also prevent airflow. In this case, you can clean up the fan and the vent.
If the fan has already stopped, you will need to have it replaced.
8. The Fuse is Not Installed Correctly, or the Wrong One is Used
The fuse on your Frigidaire microwave is not installed properly, or the wrong type of fuse was installed. Hence, it keeps blowing.
Your microwave oven may have had repairs before. And it’s possible that the fuse has been replaced. With that said, there may be a chance that the replacement fuse was not installed correctly. Or it may even have been the incorrect type.
Take the microwave oven to the technician or the service center you had it repaired before to inspect for any improper installations or incorrect types of fuse used for the repair.
Sources:
- https://www.hunker.com/13407903/what-causes-a-microwave-ovens-fuses-to-blow
- https://fredsappliance.com/service/microwave-keep-blowing-fuses/
- https://www.repairclinic.com/RepairHelp/How-To-Fix-A-Microwave/65-2–/Frigidaire-Microwave-Not-Heating
- https://howtofixit.net/microwave-blown-fuse-symptoms/
