Microwave Emission Labels

Safety is the most important aspect of the use of electricity to power machines and other devices. Improper or debilitated wiring, whether internal or external, creates the potential for highly hazardous conditions that can affect not only those who work with and around electrical equipment, but the public as well.

The guidelines that regulate the installation and use of electrical devices fall under the authority of the Department of the Environment Property and Services Agency. This entity delegates the monitoring and updating of these regulations to City and Guilds, with the assistance of the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the Health and Safety Executive.

The testing methodology applicable to electrical equipment is modeled after that which is used in the manufacturing process. These test methods, often referred to as Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), also require the displaying of a label to provide visible documentation of the test results. This methodology is applied to those devices that emit microwaves as part of their operation as well. This is a specialised type of test, and thus requires a special type of test labels, known as microwave emission labels.

Microwave emission labels are similar to standard PAT test labels in many ways. Vital information, such as whether the device passed or failed and the identity of the tester, is included on microwave emission labels. The date of the test and the ID number of the device being tested, as well as the next required inspection date, will also be included.

The additional information provided on microwave emission labels reflects the unique properties of this type of power and of the uniqueness of the electrical appliances that utilise it. This type of label will provide a space for the entering of the emission levels at which the machine or appliance is operating. These emissions must be contained to a level that is at or under the minimum safety range, as mandated by government standards.

All devices that utilise microwave power must also have a system of locks on access doors that will not permit any microwaves to escape the device. These special mechanisms, referred to as interlocks, are also required to be inspected during a PAT test. In the event that they fail the test, they must be repaired or replaced before the appliance or machine will be considered to be safe to operate.

A final feature the distinguishes microwave emission labels from standard test stickers is the inclusion of the type of fuse being used in the electrical device. This information, which reflects the amperage of the fuse, must coincide with requirements set forth by government regulations and the manufacturer alike.

Microwave emission labels are most often found affixed to consumer-level products, such as microwave ovens. However, electrical equipment that employs microwave power can also be found in industrial settings, such as radio and television broadcasting and, in some instances, hospital environments. These environments necessitate a very reliable means of maintaining an acceptable level of safety for those devices that use microwave power. The health risks of radiation poisoning added to potential electrical hazards mandate the use of microwave emission labels.