Understanding Vacuum Cleaner Specifications

Understanding of a variety of confusing specifications is one of the most difficult for the selection of a new vacuum cleaner. First, consumers want vacuum cleaners that the best way to clean up. And most consumers in general, with efficient cleaning equate "power" or "suck".
Cleaning ability is not just about power and suction, even though these attributes are important elements of vacuum cleaner performance. With some 'information and education, you can scroll through the numbers and to better understand what the specifications and that are important to you.
Unfortunately, there is no single assessment that indicates the ability to clean up. However, there are a number of specific primary, when clearly understood, allow consumers to make informed decisions about the vacuum cleaner educated, have better ability to clean up.
The specifications include primary watts, amperes, volts, water stress (suction or sealed), PS, air watts, and the air flow.
There are also a number of other secondary data, the influence on the ability of cleanliness that we will examine. These include filtration, cleaning tools (agitation), capacity, quality, noise, features and cost.
To this effect we need to understand the basics, like a vacuum cleaner works.
All Vacuum cleaners working on the basis of air with the opening in the head or tool cleaning, vacuum cleaner and the bag and / or system of filters and then the port of discharge. This air flow is determined by the vacuum motor, which can also serve as a naturally aspirated engine.
The engine vacuum is formed by an electric fan or fans. If the fans spin, a negative pressure generated and the pressure in the vacuum below the temperature (or existing) pressure in the chamber. As the air pressure is higher outside that inside the vacuum cleaner, air rushes with the vacuum cleaner.
Moreover, it is easy to see that the vacuum motor is the heart of a vacuum cleaner. After all, the stronger the motor, the greater the pressure difference and therefore the suction and airflow, is not it? It is for this reason that most of the specifications, you will see in terms of cleaning ability to relate directly or indirectly with the engine.
But here is where it is difficult. Specifications for components like the engine does not necessarily indicate the performance of the entire vacuum cleaner and, therefore, are only a part of history.
Let's take a look at a specific primary after the other:
Watts
The energy consumption of the vacuum motor is measured in watts. Although this figure does not take into account the efficiency of the engine, the number of fans or the vacuum cleaner design, engine performance is a valid way to assess and compare the performance of the engine.
While the ideal comparison engine power in watts of product over an engine power in watts Product B, some engine manufacturers do not benefit in the form of watts, but the overall rate in ampere vacuum cleaner. This may make it difficult to compare brands.
However, you can convert amps to watts using the formula, amps x 120 (V) = Watt. Or conversely, you can use the formula watt amplifier, watt / volt (always 120) = amps. For example, a 1400-watt engine converts 67 to 11 amps (1400/120 = 11. 67).
Compare cars rated in amperes and those rated in watts is not an exact comparison, because the producers, who generally votes with Watts rate while only motor amperage ratings of the total consumption of the vacuum energy with the engine nozzle (the rotary engine cleaning brush head), light bulb, etc.
This means that a Power Team (a filter vacuum cleaner with a power injector) with a specification of 12 amps can be quite comparable with other Power Team with one engine at 1200-watts, which is only 10 amps.
This is because the jet engine consumes 1st 5 Amps, the lamp will use more amperage, and so forth. So if you deduct the current, the power of the jet engine of our 12-amp machine, we are close to 10. 5 amps for the motor and the bulb. In this example, the two engines, both rating very close to 10 amperes, and therefore, equivalent motor input power.
Therefore, it is better to compare the engine power is in watts of machines, or if you are comparing a car rated in watts, with a rating of A, try to view the current assessment of the motor only instead of the entire vacuum cleaner. It is therefore possible, in watts, and a meaningful comparison.
Amps
A specification is very common amps vacuum cleaner. The current rating is the maximum amount of electricity used by all components of electric vacuum cleaner during operation. The largest consumer of electricity, the engine failed, but the current assessment covers all electrical components, including engine load, the power of a jet engine, the light bulb, etc.
Amp up the "pull" (the number of amplifiers used during the performance of vacuum cleaners) for every device that plugs into a standard electrical outlet is 12 Therefore, if you are a current rating greater than 12 votes, please read the fine print, because they are not true amperage specifications, but some other manufacturers developed "performance rating" designed to give the impression of a powerful vacuum cleaner.
While amperage refers to power and not power or the ability to purify itself, can be used to power a vacuum cleaner to another. This is due to the fact that while energy consumption is measured in watts, amps are in watts by multiplying the volts. Since volts are constant at 120, amp a good comparison between the motor input power.
Again, as already mentioned, if you make this comparison, find the amp rating of the engine alone, instead of the whole machine.
Therefore, AMP ratings give us a means to compare the performance of an engine vacuum and the vacuum cleaner as a whole, and are useful for comparison purposes specifications. But they are only a part of history. It 's just because a motor or vacuum cleaner consumes more electricity, no clean better.
The ampere-specification does not take account of how the engine is so efficient, as well as the design of other factors, such as if the engine has a fan or two (two is not necessarily better than one), and the overall efficiency of vacuum cleaner design.
Voltage
In the U.S., the current standard budget is 120 volts on a meter. Tension in a house is sometimes referred to as "110" and that is because it can power through the house wiring. But do not worry, the devices are designed to operate in a voltage range from 110 to 120
For the purposes of understanding about the specific vacuum cleaner only thing we really need to know voltage, the amps x volts = watts, and vice versa watts / volts = amps. If these calculations use 120 volts for U.S. equipment.
Water Lift (Sealed suction)
The seal suction of a vacuum cleaner is in inches of water lift. This rating is, if the engine is completely sealed, and the term refers to the number of inches of vertical lift engine A 1 "water column.
Water stress, which is a vacuum cleaner to take power or "lift" from the bottom sediments, while the flow is then sent to the bag of powder. Vacuum cleaner with more inches of water lift is easier to pick up sand and other heavy soils from floors and carpets.
Water stress is also a measure for vacuum capacity to deal with resistance in vacuum. This is particularly important in HEPA filtration vacuum cleaners or high-performance, more resistance because of the additional filter that through the air.
A good water lift rating indicates that a vacuum is to implement a high level, as the dust bag or container fills and the filters "load" or gradually fill with fine particles and are more and more against air.
Water lift a vacuum cleaner is a useful indicator of performance, because it is half for the comparison of exhaust gases from an engine to another and, in general, more water stress, the better.
Horsepower
Such an assessment, especially for marketing purposes, and little or nothing to the vacuum cleaner in the real world. Fortunately, it was largely abolished, as a disciplinary vacuum.
Often referred to as "peak performance" These evaluations were obtained by removing the fans of the engine and vacuum, while a maximum load possible, before the engine burned. Then, a complex formula was applied to a peak power rating. Even this figure is meaningless in terms of assessing the ability of a vacuum cleaner.
Air Watts
As we discussed, typical specifications, such as power amplifiers watt vacuum and measure the input power of the vacuum cleaner. Central vacuum, the vacuum cleaner, and several other manufacturers were using the air watts specific to try to assess the vacuum cleaner production rather than input power. Air watts are calculated using the following formula (Air Flow (CFM) x Vacuum (inches of water lift)) / 8. Ar = 5 watts.
Once again, there are some problems, if it is a useful specific or simply a re-evaluation of confusing consumers and making comparisons difficult. After all, if the calculations, the air is 0 watts. 9983 watts, or almost the same as a normal watts.
It is important not to be confused with the air, the air watts, the most important of all the specs.
Airflow
Airflow is by far the most important specification in relation to the efficient cleaning of a vacuum cleaner. Measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), it is the strength of this flow of air over a surface that attracts dirt and pull the dust bag or container. So, the more airflow, the better the ability to clean the vacuum cleaner.
Regulate the air flow is good, because it takes into account the power of the engine vacuum, vacuum, as well as the strength of the bag and filter system that the air must pass through.
Airflow is usually measured with the vacuum cleaner hose or without plants. For this reason, there are several factors that influence the actual flow, including turbulence in the pipe and rods, the restriction of air flow in which the cleaning tool on the ground or other surfaces, because of higher resistance of the bag filled with dirt, and filter loading.
Primary comparison specifications
In view of these primary characteristics, there are three elements that are useful in comparing vacuum cleaners.
The first comparison Watt Watt motor power. Ideally, the machines are being compared, all the engine power in watts for a direct and simple. If a machine rated in amperes and the other in watts, a conversion of the ampere-watt than specific as possible, but is "apples to apples" only when the engine alone amplifiers for this comparison.
As indicated in the above amps, if the only regulate the amplifier is available for the machine, the comparison is done, but there is no direct correlation.
If both machines are rated only A, a comparison between the power of individuals, with the assumption that, if equal to or close to these, the engines are similar in energy consumption. This is because the engine will be the largest consumer of rated amperage.
The second comparison is water lift (sealed suction). This is a good indication to compare how well the vacuum cleaner, the bag fills and the filters are loaded, and is particularly relevant for the selection of high filtration HEPA filter or vacuum cleaner. It also provides for an 'idea of how vacuum cleaners compare in terms of collection of heavy soils such as sand, gravel and so forth.
The third point is the comparison of air. This is the most important for all the specifications for the selection of a suction air, is what moves like dirt from the surface in dust bag or container. In short, the air is the best indication that shows the ability to clean up.
So, now rated airflow in CFM and water measured in inches lift, what kind of numbers you're looking for? The filter vacuum cleaners (with or without heads of power) the air flow of 100 CFM or more and water lift of 90 inches or more recommended.
Upright vacuum cleaner comes in a variety of configurations, but there are two basic models. The first is the "direct" or "Dirty Air", where the land from the engine prior to a filtration on the way to the dust bag. Dirty air only posts rated in amperes.
The second reason is that with an engine by-pass, where the air is not filtered through the engine. In the post with this design, only completely clean or filtered air through the engine to cool. By-pass the air flow is usually placed, but not the water lift specifications and high performance is maintained 60 CFM or greater.
No need to water lift ratings on both types of messages, because there is so little for the removal of air and ground travel. CFM ratings should not be as high as canisters for the same reason.
Many uprights air flow is to provide all the reviews and not just the rate of motor in terms of amperes. As we have learned, these measures only the power of the engine, this is not a measure of the ability to clean it. However, when comparing the different vacuum cleaners of this type, AMP ratings are better than nothing.
If you use a vacuum cleaner with excellent air and water lift specifications, are on track for a machine with the ability to clean up.
Secondary data
We firstly the impact that the specific ability to clean up. But there are also secondary specifications that must be considered before a final decision. These include filtration, cleaning tools (agitation), capacity, quality, noise, features and cost.
Filtration
Filtration is very important in terms of cleaning ability, because HEPA filtration or other advanced improves resistance to vacuum. Therefore, it is easier for a vacuum cleaner with a normal filtration, the air flow above evaluations. In reality, the challenge of dealing with resistance is a major reason why filtration HEPA vacuum cleaners cost more.
For more information about HEPA filtration vacuum cleaners, click here.
The powder is also a lot of filtration and a significant flow of air. Many of the new material, as opposed to the traditional paper, are used for the manufacture of bags of dust, dirt and harmful particles small fine, while the air flows more freely as possible.
The surface of the bag of powder is also a factor, because the surface of the bag, the easier the air flows through it. This means better cleaning, as the bag fills. This is a good reason to choose full-size vacuum cleaner in comparison to the medium or are compact.
Cleaning tools (agitation)
The main tool for cleaning must be properly chosen because, while the air is that which carries the ground in the dust bag, agitation is what the earth away from carpeting, floors and other surfaces.
And 'the nature of cleaning tools, which are for your home. If you have a lot of carpeting or flooring, such as animal hair, select a line or a team with a motor power nozzle. If you have furniture, it is difficult to get through, be sure that your vacuum cleaner has a relatively low cleaning nozzle to reach these areas and so on.
If you use a vacuum cleaner with air flow in the world, but the lack of a cleanup tool, the results are less optimal.
Capacity

The ability to vacuum cleaner has a role in relation to the maintenance of high levels of cleaning ability. As we have seen, the greater the bag of powder, the better the air circulation and, therefore, possible to clean it. All other things equal to a full size vacuum cleaners provide better cleaning, especially in the dust bag or container fills.
Quality
The quality of the vacuum cleaner is also important. Can specific excellent badly constructed a vacuum, which last only a few years, compared to a high degree of product quality, excellent cleaning performance and takes many years and even decades.
Quality can be partly explained by the duration of the guarantee and the type of materials used, quality of workmanship and fit, what are the most serious cases, how to close the seals, how to close tolerances and so forth. In general, the mass market, inexpensive products are not intended for use in the long term.
Noise
Noise is also an important consideration. Some vacuum cleaners can be so strong that it almost unbearable to use. A quality vacuum cleaner is often at a level that is very comfortable and lets you hear the phone or doorbell ring easily.
The level of noise does a vacuum during the operation is rated in decibels (dB). To give you an idea, a conversation at home is 50 dB, a waste of 80 dB and a motorcycle or lawnmower to 100 dB. Extremely quiet vacuum cleaner can be found on the decibel levels in the mid-sixties, while in the 70-77 dB range detergents are still very quiet compared to the vacuum cleaner has grown.
Features
Next, you must check whether the vacuum cleaner you are considering all or most of the functionality necessary for an effective and pleasant cleaning.
Cleaning and be sure your vacuum cleaner that gives you everything you aspire to the task as simple as possible. E 'with a cord rewind, variable speed control, on-board instruments, magic wands adjustable for proper cleaning radius, the right tools for your floors like a soft brush for your listing, slate ceramic and so on.
Cost
And, last but not least, you need a vacuum cleaner that offers the best value. As with everything, better quality usually costs a little 'more, but often worth it for the long term.