Food Items Appear To Be Overcooked Or Burned; Microwave Performance Test; Microwave Leak Test - GE SCA1000 Technical Service Manual

speedcook operation, all fan motors must
operate (vent fan, convection fan, and
magnetron fan). Improper airflow can cause
the thermal cut-outs (TCOs) to open.

Food Items Appear to Be Overcooked or Burned

Foods which appear to be overcooked or burned
can be the result of any one of the following items.
The possible causes listed below are sorted from
most likely to least likely, with item number 1 being
the first item that you should check.
1. Is the consumer selecting the correct type of
cooking (microwave vs. Speedcook), and/or is
the consumer using the correct time and
power levels for the type, size, and quantity of
food being cooked?
2. Is the consumer using the correct cookware
for the type of food being cooked?
3. Is the consumer arranging the food properly on
the metal cooking trays?
4. Is the turntable operating properly so that
microwave energy and halogen heat are being
evenly distributed to the food?
5. Confirm proper line voltage to the unit (check
voltage under full load).

Microwave Performance Test

This test will verify that the microwave oven high
voltage and magnetron circuits are operating to
performance specifications.
The standard load is 1 liter (1000 ml) of water with
a starting temperature of 59° F to 75° F in a
1000-ml beaker. (Do not use any other load or
dish, as results will vary from the standard.)
1. Use glass tray and WB64X0073 beaker.
Record the initial water temperature prior to
making the test.
2. Place the beaker in the center of the oven on
the glass tray and run the microwave on high
power setting for 2 minutes, 3 seconds.
3. At the end of the cooking cycle, record the
water temperature. The minimum difference
between the initial and ending temperatures
should be 28° F @120 volts.
If the water temperature rose but did not reach the
28° F minimum difference, suspect a problem with
the line voltage (test under full load), voltage
compensation, or magnetron tube/high-voltage
circuit.
If the water temperature did not rise at all, suspect
a problem in the high voltage circuit.

Microwave Leak Test

Warning: Maximum allowable leakage is 4 MW/cm
Inform the manufacturer of any oven found to have
emission in excess of 4 MW/cm
bring the unit into compliance at no cost to the
owner and determine the cause. Instruct the
owner not to use the oven until it has been brought
into compliance.
To perform a microwave leak test:
1. Place 275 ml of water in a 600-ml beaker
(WB64X5010).
2. Place the beaker in the center of the oven on
the turntable.
3. Set the leakage meter to the 2450 MHz scale.
4. Turn microwave on for 5 minutes.
5. Hold the probe perpendicular to the surface
being tested and scan surfaces at a rate of 1
inch per second. Scan the following areas:
• Entire perimeter of door and control panel
• Viewing surface of door window
• Exhaust vents
Warning: Maximum allowable leakage is 4 MW/cm
6. Record data on service invoice and microwave
leakage report.
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