Inverter Technology; Difference Between Mwo Without Inverter And Mwo With Inverter - Panasonic Microwave Ovens with Inverters Technical Manual

Inverter Technology

Panasonic uses proprietary Inverter technology in most of its microwave ovens.
Difference Between Traditional and Inverter Microwave Ovens
Traditional microwave ovens
Conventional microwaves ovens use power transformers to increase the
household line voltage (120 VAC at 60 Hz) to a level high enough to operate the
magnetron. The magnetron generates the microwaves that cook the food. This
technique has its drawbacks.
Operating at a low frequency of 60 Hz, the transformer is relatively inefficient:
• Power is lost (through heat dissipation) in converting the line voltage to the
higher magnetron level.
• The transformer operates at a constant power (cooking level) that can only
be changed by switching the power on or off repeatedly.
Inverter Technology
In inverter-equipped microwave ovens, the power transformer is replaced by a
circuit board, which converts the 60Hz incoming line frequency to a variable rate
of 20 KHz to 45 KHz. A relatively small transformer is then required to increase
the voltage to the level required by a magnetron.
By varying the pulse width, the output power can be linearly controlled for more
precise cooking and defrosting levels. The bulky power transformer is replaced
by a small, lightweight circuit board; and, because less heat is dissipated, power
efficiency is increased.
Conventional technology uses just a single power level, which is regulated by
switching pulses. In contrast, inverter technology directly controls the power
output. This constant soft penetration of microwave energy prevents the common
problems of shrinkage, overcooking, and loss of nutrients. The result is even food
temperature and textures throughout.
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