Central Vacuum System: Parts, Types, and Benifits

What is Central Vacuum System?

A central vacuum system is installation is accomplished in the building fabric. Through various connection points, people can access the central vacuum system from rooms and hallways.

The designers and architects like using central vacuum systems because they are convenient, manageable, and require minimal maintenance.

A central motor creates vacuum pressure to develop a large amount of suction to remove various types of debris (dust, dirt, metal shavings, or plastic). Central vacuums may be filtered or not filtered, depending on the system or the matter it affects.

The inlets for the central vacuum system run through the ductwork, piping, or tubing into the walls, and the maintenance staff manages a hose that is 25 to 30 feet utilizing a wand. The hose’s electrical circuitry is powered the switch is at the vacuum port; which activates when the inlet cover is lifted.

Central vacuum systems are very practical and economical when it comes to cleaning large multi-storied buildings. Central vacuum systems permit multiple users in multiple locations and at different floors of the building to utilize a single cleaning system.

The dirt and debris travel from the scrubber cleaning port through the system piping to a collection unit that may be a removable trash collector or a large vacuum bag. The collection unit contains filters which can be placed to capture particulate matter from the air stream.

By utilizing standardized hoses and attachments minimizes the cleaning equipment that the cleaning labor has to deal with.

Central vacuum motors operate similarly to standard vacuums, but they are usually larger, stronger, and made of much stronger materials. The three main types of central vacuum motors are flow-through, peripheral bypass, and tangential.

How Does a Central Vacuum System Work?

Central vacuum systems are easy to use for removing dirt and debris with inlets located for easy access.  Simply insert the hose into the inlet and use it!

A central vacuum system consists of a vacuum motor, canister housing, a filter (filtered models), an exhaust unit, connecting hoses, and inlets.

The system’s amount of power varies according to the size of the motor, ranging from 10 hp to 100 hp, and also depends on the size of the system, the placement of the power unit, and the area to be cleaned.

Industrial central vacuum systems can handle large quantities of material per hour and filter down to 0.3 microns. These systems can improve the quality of products, provide better reclamation of materials and help reduce wear and cost from equipment and labor.

Two main factors affecting the performance of a central vacuum systems are airflow and pressure. The airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm) defined the volume or the amount of air that passed through the system. Pressure is measured with pounds per square inch (psi) which is a measure of suction power or strength.

How dose Central Vacuum System?

Unit Location

The central power unit is located out of the way in a utility closet, storage room or janitor room. The power unit, canister and filter are placed on the lowest floor of the building. If it is installed on higher level, its going to have to use more power.

The unit is activated when switch or button on the handle or wand of the connecting hose is pressed. Power is supplied to the hose and wand that is connected or mounted with electrical wire attached to it.

Inlets

The number of inlets required for a central vacuum systems depends largely on the amount of square footage in a building when they are typically installed every 600 sq. ft. Higher numbers of inlet may be required for multi story buildings and large open office configurations so that the entire area can be serviced adequately.

The number of inlets is not directly correlated to the size of the power unit. The operational performance of a central vacuum systems is dependent on how many people are using the system at the same time.

The average person can typically clean the area of around 3,000 sq. ft. of clear floor space in an hour. However, when using the vacuum power waste cleaning systems within more irregular or obstacle-filled flooring situations (factories), the effective cleaning area may only be approximately 2,000 square feet in one hour.

The total number of vacuum power units required is determined by the size of your cleaning system and the number of operators.

Power Button

The vacuum system is powered on by a power button on the handle of the wand. It’s done by inserting the hose and pushing the button located on the handle of the vac – simple.

Handle/Wand

The handle or wand has a two-way switch used to power your system on and off. They come in all shapes and sizes like gas pump type handles or types that resemble portable vacuums.

Hose

The hose is equipped with a metal ring or reinforcement at the end which connects to the wall inlet. When inserted in the wall inlet, the hose opens a vacuum that starts up automatically.

The hose also carries electricity and has a diameter of 1 1/2 inches or larger (depending on the system). Hoses can come in distances from 25 to 30 feet or more.

Tubing

The tubing for central vacuum systems is designed to eliminate clogs. It is built with thinner walls that are consistent in diameter with the hub thickness of the fittings to limit gaps or void space.

All manufacturers make backup plates which are compatible with this tubing dimension. The tubing as mentioned is recommended by the manufacturers to improve performance.

Motors for Central Vacuum Systems

The motor of a central vacuum system is key, since it is the component that creates suction by pulling air through the piping and hose to bring dust, dirt, and debris into the central collection point, and out of the home. There are three main types of motor used in a central vacuum system, flow-through, tangential, and peripheral draw.

Flow-Through Motors

A flow-through motor is comparable to a motor found in upright and canister vacuums, but larger. Flow-through motors use ambient air that is being pulled in to cool the motor since these motors do not have a cooling system.

This cooling system includes circulating air to circulate around the armature. The advantage to having the system this way is that it will be a quieter operation. The downside is that the operator must consistently check the intake to make sure it is clear and clean.

Perihperal Bypass

A peripheral bypass motor is designed with a cooling fan to circulate air around the armature and expel the air from side vents on the motor.

This design works because it allows clean air to cool the motor and ensures that unfiltered air from outside does not get into the motor chamber. The peripheral bypass motor is most commonly used with midrange central vacuum systems.

Tangential Bypass

The Tangential bypass motor is the most effectively used motor in central vacuum systems. It is the most expensive of the vacuum motors, but it is made to be robust, and to last as long as possible.

The exhaust is designed to veer air and heat away from the motor, making the tangential bypass motor the longest-lasting vacuum motor. It measures as the most powerful vacuum motor available and can replace multiple motors in performance.

In the tangential motor, air enters at the bottom, is sent through an air tube located on the side of the motor, which allows wet pickup. Tangential motors have a high startup torque, run at high speeds, and develop vacuum pressure and suction using a fan operating in rotation.

The motor’s design ensures that debris and moisture do not come in contact with the windings, which further provides usability with a wet pickup.

How do you install a central vacuum system?

Central vacuum systems are intended for cleaning dry, loose materials or low viscosity. Which hose, wand, and accessories you are going to require is based upon the area to be cleaned and the amount of debris to be cleaned up. Below is a short overview of the procedure used to install an industrial central vacuum system.

Planning

During the planning phase of installing a central vacuum system, consideration is given to the materials being collected, and the layout of the cleaning area.

Industrial sites often have obstructions, unevenness and multiple varieties of debris. You must thoroughly assess these conditions so that you can select an adequately sized central vacuum system.

Power Unit Location

Central vacuum systems will usually have power units installed on the lowest level of the building. Normally there may be a utility room, storage room, or janitorial closet available to install the power unit, allowing sufficient space for a mounting location, the exhaust pipe, canister, motor, and tubing for connections.

In certain circumstances, for very large central vacuum systems, the power unit will be installed on the exterior of the building and connected with multiple tubes.

Tubing System

The main idea in installing the tubing system is to have the runs as short as possible. Main pipes or tubes can be run in several ways. The installation process usually starts from the first inlet, and works back to insure the routing is correct.

Wall Inlets

Inlet valves must be located so that you can access all locations effectively. In factories, tubing systems and inlets are generally applied on lids, while in offices, they can be hidden in walls.

Typically, tubing will run from a 90° angle for the inlet to the central vacuum. The reasoning behind this is to prevent larger objects from being put in the inlet. However, in some factory or workshop areas the inlets will be a 45° angle.

Types Of Central Vacuum Systems

Central vacuum systems provide a means of saving labor in keeping a cleaner, tidier work area. They offer efficient and time saving methods of complete cleaning. Everything you need is built-in and present, and there is no extra cleaning equipment you need to drag out.

Central vacuum systems fall into 3 main categories: cyclonic, filtered, and unfiltered or bagless.

Filtered

Central vacuum systems can have several types of filters, including screen, cloth, foam, and paper filters. Filtered systems are favored for use by most central vacuum system owners because they remove the excess dust and debris and can later remove this from the disposal bin.

Bagged

Bagged systems are a very hygienic, and sanitary method of capturing and disposing of dog hair and their dirt. The suction system delivers debris into a disposable bag, as depicted below.

These bags can trap dust, dirt, and debris material including 99.9% of microscopic particles and allergens. Because they the suction system to work better and the suction motor will last longer without the need for venting.

Bags come in various filtration stages, including ‘standard’ level, ‘micro-lined’ level, and ‘high efficiency particulate air’ (HEPA) level. You can find bags made with cloth or paper, and bags should be replaced when they are half or three-quarters full.

Bagless

Bagless central vacuums are convenient and inexpensive to maintain. Even when the canister is nearly full, bagless systems have suction power consistency. To empty just unlatch the canister from the vacuum and dispose of the contents.

Most bagless systems have a self-cleaning filter that prevents dirt and debris from reaching the motor. During operation the filter rises to protect the motor, and when turned off the filter lowers allowing the debris to fall into the canister.

Cyclonic Systems

Cyclonic systems use cyclonic separation to remove dirt, dust and debris. Most of the debris collected is dropped into the canister, other smaller particles are expelled outside the unit.

Cyclonic systems do not use bags or filters making them extremely low maintenance. They have been trouble free to operate and rely on for many years.

Cyclonic systems spin dirt and debris in a sealed chamber. The centrifugal force causes larger/heavier particles to move toward the outside wall of the chamber and fall into the collection unit. 

The clean air that is remaining is then exhausted out of the building through an exhaust from inside the building. Some cyclonic systems have a bonus feature a filtered cyclonic system that requires, pleated filtration cartridge to be replaced one or two times a year. The filter ensures that the air going back is clean, and not contaminated.

Compact

Compact central vacuum systems are designed to limit the installation, and add portability. They have similar suction capacity as larger systems but have the added option of making it easier to move around when needed.

Wet/Dry central vacuum systems

Wet/dry central vacuum systems are flexible units designed to handle both dry dust, dirt, and debris as well as liquid spills. Wet/dry systems can do everything a standard central vacuum system can do and still be able to deal with liquids.

Wet/dry systems are plumbed directly into a drain line, typically, so the vacuum can automatically dispose of collected dirt, debris, and fluids into the sewage system.

Wet/Dry vacuums are bagless so servicing, maintenance, and performance is minimal. Wet/Dry vacuums are extremely advantageous for spills as well as aiding in drain blockages.

What are the advantages of a central vacuum system?

Central vacuum systems are a useful solution for many cleaning issues. Central vacuums do not disperse collected dust, debris, and materials – rather they transport it to a central collection unit where the containment of the waste is kept and not redistributed.

A central vacuum system consists of several basic components: the motor, the canister or housing; a filter – if it is a filtered system; and an exhaust component. The size of the motor, as well as the combination of components, will determine the operational capacity of the system.

In comparison to portable handheld vacuums, a central vacuum system has a plethora of advantages. Some of these advantages include:

Air Quality

Central vacuum power units eliminate diverting and expelling air into the environment, thus disturbing allergens and dust particles. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates central vacuum usage greatly lessens dust-related allergies. The expelled air is routed to a utility or outside vent somewhat similar to a standard clothes dryer vent.

Suction Power

Central vacuum systems have larger motors with greater conveying power, increasing the system’s cleaning power.

Central vacuum systems have increased suction power, which should yield a higher standard of clean because a higher level of dirt and debris will be removed from the home, even the smallest dust particles. A few systems contain dual motors for even greater capability. 

Filtration

Central vacuum systems possess filtration systems with a high level of dust and allergen containment capability. They effectively trap harmful dust particles and other foreign material for disposal.

Difficult Debris

Central vacuum systems have the capacity to handle dry materials (e.g. plaster dust, spilled flour, laser printer toner, metal shavings, wire remnants and small glass bits). Systems without filters are able to contain a wide variety of materials.

Systems with wet vacuum interceptors are unfortunate able to differentiate between materials liquids and solids. With toxic products, like asbestos, one must be careful not to rely on a central vacuum instead of using proper equipment.

Noise

Central vacuum systems are relatively quiet, since the motor is away from the user, providing to the user and people nearby a quieter experience.

Efficiency

Getting hoses and cleaning devices out, set up, used and stored is quick and easy. The little equipment that is needed, makes stairway cleaning easier. 

Emptying

Central vacuum systems can collect a lot of dirt and dust so that emptying, is only needed a few times a year, but cyclonic systems require some particular care when handling and emptying their canisters, due to their unusual designs.

Cost

Central vacuum systems are usually a big capital expense, but regular expenses are not much. The systems with filters require filters to be replaced regularly. Systems without filters, typically do not incur any expenses that are not simply replacing hoses.

Regular maintenance is to be recommended, for full operational performance and repair costs may be part of the total cost.

Tool Size

Central vacuum system hoses fit all of the industry standard tools used with portable vacuum cleaners. In the USA, the standard size is 1 1/4 inch, inside diameter. Depending on the accessory, it may be necessary to bleed off a little bit of suction.

Protects Walls and Furniture

Using a central vacuum system does not require you to have bulky equipment that can potentially damage furniture or run into walls.

A central vacuum system has a flexible hose, which you plug into the inlet, while you are holding the wand or handle. Those are the only items in the cleaning area.

Built Tough

Central vacuum systems can last anywhere from 30-40 years. Maintenance typically only requires changing the belts, filters, bags, and on occasion lubricating the motor.

What are some of the concerns regarding central vacuum systems?

Central vacuum systems are built to last, reliable, and very convenient, which is a great option for cleaning up shop floors, factory spills, and just about any other kind of debris.

Even though the systems are stable there is complexity, and everything in the system can and does fail if there is a malfunction in any component of the features of the system. There are numerous issues that central vacuum systems might have, as outlined below.

Loss of Suction

There is a multitude of reasons you could be losing suction in your central vacuum system. They include: a clogged bag, full canister, ruptured filtration system, clogged exhaust vent, plugged inlets. Prior to identifying suction loss is the central vacuum unit itself, review your hose for clogs or blockages.

Clogging

There could be a decrease in your suction due to clogging. In certain instances it may be a complete blockage, other times it may be the hose or some pipe or other portion of the system.

To determine where the clog is treat the whole hose system as a closed system and inspect the whole hose as well, it is connected to the central unit for easy checking and clearing to review blocking, if blocking is still present, then the issue lies within your piping and you must check all your inlets then identify and clear out your blocking.

Leaks

Your system may leak for a variety of reasons such as leakage could result from: using multiple hoses at one time, not sealing the inlet covers, damaged tubing or equipment, multiple clogs in different hoses.

Unit Won’t Shut Off

A few possible reasons your unit will not shut off could be: perhaps a relay malfunction, `short circuits` in through an inlet, or rodents damaging the machinery that is interfering in other areas.

Unit Will Not Turn On

The potential reasons your unit will not turn on is most likely due to normal electrical issue’s present in any electrical system. Common possibilities are electrical not present such as circuit breaker configuration or lack of voltage, or a malfunction such as short circuit wiring, or a malfunction in your motor.

Malfunction of motors in central vacuum systems are infrequent issues that are regularly addressed during installation. Most issues present with turning electrical system on are typically connected to power supply or wiring issues.

Damaged pipe

As a result of wear and tear, central vacuum system pipes may crack or be punctured over time. Since most systems use PVC, the procedures for making repairs are the same as making repairs on any PVC pipe.

Mechanical problems

If the bearings are dirty or worn down in the motor, a circuit breaker may trip. If they are just dirty, some lubricant may help. If they have worn down, you will need to replace the bearings.

How to maintain a central vacuum system?

Undertaking regular maintenance can help avoid a number of potential problems with a central vacuum system, but just like any work equipment, a central vacuum system has the potential to operate effortlessly for years, and a basic maintenance program will get the most out of that equipment.

Below are key areas in terms of maintenance where you can maintain the efficiency of your central vacuum system.

Canister

For large industrial systems, you may be maintaining a canister every other day, depending on the canister size and how much waste was picked up in the canister. Commercially, it is not unusual to check an industrial canister two or three times a week.

Making it a regular thing, whether that is twice a week or every time you go on cleaning call, can help it become part of the process.

Filter Replacement

Under normal operating conditions, filters in a central vacuum will be replaced either two, three or four times a year, depending on how much waste is being collected.

Regularly checking the capacity of the system and checking all filters or filter bags and monitoring the amount of waste being collected will determine how often your replacement schedule is. For clean rooms, the recommended frequency of changing filters will be greater or shorter.

In the case of filter bags, it is recommended to change filter bags when it is half full to three-quarters full. If filter bags are allowed to become completely full, it can cause clogging in the machine if there is no clear passage for air and could damage the motor if excess pressure builds.

Cyclonic systems

Cyclonic systems do not have a filter, which means the only maintenance is to check the collection container, just like inspecting a canister.

With a cyclonic system, you would typically empty the container once it is full, or there is a noticeable drop off in capacity and avoid a crawlspace of suction power.

Some systems even have a clear collection container, so watching for how full the container is at all times is easier than other systems.

Motor

The motor is at the heart of every vacuuming system. Like any machinery it is always in motion and could use regular attention by way of inspection, maintenance and oil. The bearings will also need regular lubrication, unless there is an issue that needs to be addressed that requires more than routine maintenance.

Tubing

Central vacuum systems reduce the amount of collection waste, which makes it easy to forget about the items that a central vacuum system collects, most typically dry dirt and dust that comes from the work floor.

Sticky, clunky substances such as glue or epoxy may become lodged into the tubing. With some gentle help from a plumber’s snake, or even a good bit of wire, you can usually clear the tubing without having any major incident.

Issues with the tubing will usually arise when you are not getting the same amount of suction as you had previously.

Ideally, you should have an idea of the quality of suction on a routine basis to help identify equipment that might not be working properly, and possibly damaging the motor over time and excess use.