Faraday cage  Yesterday I mentioned the Helicopter High Voltage Cable Inspector video in which the concept of a Faraday cage is explained. It was the first time I ever remember hearing the term. What are the chances that later that day, while pondering the energy use of a microwave oven, I would come across the term again? According the Wikipedia article on microwave ovens:

The cooking chamber itself is a Faraday cage enclosure which prevents the microwaves from escaping into the environment.

Microwaves do use a lot of energy (about 800 watts for a small home unit), but for rather short periods of time, and given the alternative, cooking for a long time in an oven, their use can be considered relatively efficient. Here's a link to a New York Times article on use of energy in the home, Is the TV Off? No, It’s Really on Standby, Using Current that mentions the high energy usage of microwave ovens, and here's a response to that article, Overcooked myths: microwave ovens and home energy use. One of my favorite environnmental organizations, the Rocky Mountain Institute, has produced a series of Home Energy Briefs with info on home appliances, among others.
posted by Bruce Wright at 11:29 AM #