One for the RF engineers - are computers microwave ovens ?!

[Gregory Toomey]

Given that the average microwave oven works at 2.4GHz, and computers are at
around same frequency (but don't have magnetron), do computers emit
microwave radiation?

The things that occupy my mind ...

gtoomey

 

[Phil Allison]

"Gregory Toomey" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:FBaPa.5489$oN.232303@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...

Given that the average microwave oven works at 2.4GHz, and computers are
at
around same frequency (but don't have magnetron), do computers emit
microwave radiation?

The things that occupy my mind ...

** I just tried a $ 20 microwave oven leakage detector near my ( 2G )
- happy to say not a sausage. The same gadget goes ape with a mobile
phone. I suspect that steel box has a shielding effect on the radiation
not to mention the FCC and EMC regs and many others.



............. Phil

 

[David L. Jones]

On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 20:01:20 +1000, "Gregory Toomey"
<nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

Given that the average microwave oven works at 2.4GHz, and computers are at
around same frequency (but don't have magnetron), do computers emit
microwave radiation?

I do believe they are slightly different frequencies, and apparently
the exact frequency is fairly critical, anyone know for sure?
2.4GHz is only inside the processor, and the potential RF radiation
would be small (milliwatts?)
Compare that to the 600W+ directly channeled very efficiently inside a
microwave oven.
Electrionics products like PC's have all those ground planes and
shielding, and are designed to be extremely inefficient at radiating
anything. So I suspect that the milli/microwatt levels get reduced to
practically zilch once they hit your head...

Nothing to worry about.

Mobile phones on the other hand... pump out hundreds of milliwatts to
watts, are designed to be efficient RF transmitters, and you hold it
right against your head for long periods of time. I'd be a tad more
concerned about that!

Dave
---------------------------
(remove the "_" from my email address to reply)

 

[Phil Allison]

"Gregory Toomey" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:HXbPa.5527$oN.232583@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...

"Phil Allison" <philallison@optusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:3f0d41d3$0$731$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

"Gregory Toomey" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:FBaPa.5489$oN.232303@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...
Given that the average microwave oven works at 2.4GHz, and computers
are
at
around same frequency (but don't have magnetron), do computers emit
microwave radiation?

The things that occupy my mind ...




** I just tried a $ 20 microwave oven leakage detector near my
( 2G )
- happy to say not a sausage. The same gadget goes ape with a
mobile phone. I suspect that steel box has a shielding effect on the
radiation
not to mention the FCC and EMC regs and many others.


Have you used the gadget to measure the bottom of a mobile phone tower. I
suspect you record next to nothing.

** Oh oh - we have ourselves a microwave radiation paraniod here folks.

All those satellites up there in space beaming their dreaded
"my-crow-waves" at the earth !!!

Nearly as bad as the infamous "ewe- vee -waves" ......



............. Phil

 

[The real Andy]

The processor core runs at 2.4Ghz, thats about it. Nothing like that comes
out of the processor, so if you are going to measure anything, you would
probably have to pull the lid of the processor. Also considering the core is
running a fairly low voltage, i cant imagine there is going to be a large
amount of radiated power.


"Gregory Toomey" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:FBaPa.5489$oN.232303@newsfeeds.bigpond.com...

Given that the average microwave oven works at 2.4GHz, and computers are
at
around same frequency (but don't have magnetron), do computers emit
microwave radiation?

The things that occupy my mind ...

gtoomey

 

[Russ]

"David L. Jones" <tronnort_@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3f0d4fa1.3794136@News.CIS.DFN.DE...

On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 20:01:20 +1000, "Gregory Toomey"
nospam@nospam.com> wrote:
Given that the average microwave oven works at 2.4GHz, and computers are
at
around same frequency (but don't have magnetron), do computers emit
microwave radiation?

I do believe they are slightly different frequencies, and apparently
the exact frequency is fairly critical, anyone know for sure?

Microwave ovens do operate at 2.45GHz, but the frequency isn't critical -
ie. it actually isn't the resonant frequency of water molecules. From memory
it is a compromise between exiting water molecules and achiving decent
penetration into the food.

If you're bored, have a look at:

http://rabi.phys.virginia.edu/HTW//microwave_ovens.html

Russ.

 

[Rod Speed]

David L. Jones <tronnort_@yahoo.com> wrote in
message news:3f0d4fa1.3794136@News.CIS.DFN.DE...

Gregory Toomey <nospam@nospam.com> wrote

Given that the average microwave oven works at 2.4GHz,
and computers are at around same frequency (but don't
have magnetron), do computers emit microwave radiation?

Not enough to matter.

The 2.4GHz is used quite a bit for stuff like WiFi, video senders,
etc. And those dont radiate high enough power levels to matter
either even tho they are deliberate transmitters at those frequencys.

I do believe they are slightly different frequencies,

Nope.

and apparently the exact frequency is fairly critical,

Nope. You're thinking of the microwave
absorption band of water, but its pretty broad.

anyone know for sure?

Yep.

2.4GHz is only inside the processor, and the
potential RF radiation would be small (milliwatts?)

Yep.

Compare that to the 600W+ directly channeled
very efficiently inside a microwave oven.

And even with a leaky door etc, the level drops off
to levels that arent a problem quite quickly. Its just
not a great idea to shove your face up against the
door in that particular leaky door situation.

Electrionics products like PC's have all those ground planes
and shielding, and are designed to be extremely inefficient
at radiating anything. So I suspect that the milli/microwatt
levels get reduced to practically zilch once they hit your head...

Practically zilch even with the case covers off.

Nothing to worry about.

Correct.

Mobile phones on the other hand... pump out hundreds
of milliwatts to watts, are designed to be efficient RF
transmitters, and you hold it right against your head for
long periods of time. I'd be a tad more concerned about that!

If they did produce cataracts, whats been proven with
microwave souces at those frequencys with radars etc,
we'd have seen that effect by now with mobile phones.