[Frey]

My Panasonic NN 6705 Microwave has suddenly developed a fault. It will not turn on. I opened up the microwave and purchased a replacement 8 AMP fuse. The spare parts shop did not have an equivalent glass fuse, so I bought a ceramic one. I replaced it into the microwave and all seemed well. The panel, clock etc went on. It was only when I went to reheat some food the next day that within a few seconds the fuse blew out. Any idea on what could be the problem? Could it be that it needed a glass fuse?

[AmpDraw]

The fuse blew in the first place is an indication something is wrong. Could be a bad magnetron, shorted transformer, shorted capacitor, shorted diode. An 8 amp fuse is pretty much an 8 amp fuse, the ceramic ones just cost more, your problem wasn't the fuse type.

[Frey]

Originally Posted by AmpDraw

The fuse blew in the first place is an indication something is wrong. Could be a bad magnetron, shorted transformer, shorted capacitor, shorted diode. An 8 amp fuse is pretty much an 8 amp fuse, the ceramic ones just cost more, your problem wasn't the fuse type.

Thanks for the information. I just received a call from the service centre. They have found that the magnetron needs replacing, and will cost (parts and labour) $219 (Aust dollars). I was shocked at the repair quote and because the unit is nearly 10 years old, I am not sure whether replacing the part will result in a trouble free microwave for years to come? Thanks again.

[AmpDraw]

You know, the expected life of any appliance is about 10 years. Usually its a good idea to just replace anything thats this old rather than sinking $200 into it. In 10 years the price of new microwaves has come down considerably. Its unfortunate that its going to cost that much because replacing a magnetron is rather easy to do, just 4 nuts holding it in and two wires that unplug, some have a TCO thermal protector screwed onto the body that just removes easily and installs right back onto the new mag.

If I wasn't repairing it myself, I'd just get a new microwave in this case.