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IEC 60323: Household Microwave Ovens — Microwave Leakage Limits and Interlock Safety Design
Why the Metal Mesh on a Microwave Door Blocks Microwaves but Lets You See Inside
IEC 60323 specifies household microwave oven safety. The door metal mesh hole diameter (~1 mm) is far smaller than the 2.45 GHz microwave wavelength (~122 mm) — EM waves cannot pass. But visible light (~500 nm) fits easily through. This is why you can “see inside but microwaves stay trapped.”
TNLab — The microwave door is the most classic everyday application of electromagnetic shielding principles — the wavelength-to-aperture ratio determines shielding effectiveness.
