Vacuums
How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :
The fan or impeller is the disk shaped structure with fins that creates the actual suction in a vacuum cleaner. It is always placed directly onto the shaft of the Suction Motor so that it spins at a very high speed. Suction is created by the effects of centrifugal force acting upon the spinning air within the fan.
Near the suction or inlet, the volume becomes larger causing the pressure in the each one to drop and draw in gas. As it rotates, the volumes between each vane decreases because of the eccentrical positioned impeller and liquid ring formation. This compresses the gas as it discharges, creating a continuous flow.
The compressor draws in air and creates a vacuum to reduce its volume. The vacuum pushes the air out of the chamber and into its storage tank. Once the storage tank reaches its maximum air pressure, the compressor turns off. This process is called the duty cycle.
Vacuum cleaners use air pressure and agitation to remove particulates from surfaces. The home appliance is also related to the compressor. Compressors are used in all types of industry today.
An axial fan is used in vacuums to create suction. As seen in Figure 5, an axial fan has precise angles to optimize the amount of air it can displace. The fan has an opening in the center of the blades.
A VACUUM CLEANER HAS A FAN INSIDE THAT CREATES A LOW PRESSURE INSIDE THE DEVICE. CONSEQUENTLY, AIR PARTICLES ARE SUCKED INTO THE DEVICE.
The claw pump is another “oil-free” technology. There is no oil in the compression chamber, only in the gearbox. Usually claw pumps are used as vacuum pumps or as blowers. What I mean by the term “blower” is a compressor that puts out a low pressure at a high volume.
How do Air Powered Vacuums Work? Air operated vacuum cleaners are powered by compressed air. Typically, this compressed air comes from a facility`s house air. We take this air and send it through a venturi system.
A vacuum pump is essentially an air compressor operating in reverse. You can do the compressor vacuum pump conversion if you have access to its air intake. Attach your vacuum hose to the intake end of the compressor and you are ready to go. Although, precaution should be taken as air compressors are powerful.
Vacuum cleaners use an electric motor that spins a fan, sucking in air – and any small particles caught up in it – and pushing it out the other side, into a bag or a canister, to create the negative pressure.
A universal motor is typically used as suction motor across vacuum cleaners. The universal motor is a series DC-motor that is specially designed to operate on alternating current (AC) as well as on direct current (DC). Universal motors have high starting torque, operate at high speed, and are lightweight.
AC motors are preferred for compressor power drives, air conditioning compressors, and hydraulic, and irrigation pumps. DC motors are preferred for steel mill rolling equipment, and paper machines.
Vacuum cleaners use an electric motor that spins a fan, sucking in air – and any small particles caught up in it – and pushing it out the other side, into a bag or a canister, to create the negative pressure.
Even in vacuum, the fan will not spin forever. Even though you eliminated air around the fan, there is still friction between the bearings that connect the fan`s spinning parts which will slow down the fan and finally stop it.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I purchased a brand new Eureka Pet vacuum, sorry don’t know exact name but it the one that has the self cleaning duster on it. Last night I used the vacuum on my carpet, it was working fine until I accidently sucked up the corner of a scarf that was hanging off a couch. I shut the vacuum off, pulled out the scarf and and resumed vacuuming. Much to my dismay the suction on the vacuum had ceased. Can you tell me if there is a reset button on the vacuum? The vacuum does not appear to be damage
ANSWER : If the motor is running, there should be suction. Possible problems depend on whether it’s a canister or upright and are:
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
.
.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
.
.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Dirt devil vacuum cleaner–trouble vacuuming dirt and pet hair on carpeting –is the problem with the spinning brush which contacts the floor, not contacting the carpeting?? I thought (when I bought this vacuum) that the aforementioned brush was adjustable to various heights of carpeting. Sometimes, it seems like nothing is being vacuumed up –unless I have just put a new bag on the vacuum… Do I need or can I replace the spinning brush on the bottom of the vacuum so it kicks up and vacuums
ANSWER : Try replacing the belt. Rubber belts stretch out after about a year.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
The original belt on my upright Kenmore Progressive broke and I replaced it with the spare that was in the vacuum. The vacuum and spare belt are about 10 years old. Then the spare broke after one vacuuming session and there was a burning smell coming from the vacuum. I ordered new belts and replaced it with the new belt. It seems to be working fine with no smell. I checked the belt after I vacuumed the family room and although it was in tact, the belt was very hot. Is that normal? Should t
ANSWER : The belt heats up due to the friction, as well as being in contact with the shaft of a hot motor. It is normal.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
I have a kenmore progressive direct drive handi mate jr. upright vacuum. My daughter used it last night to vacuum up some cat litter that had spilled on the floor. I went to use it today and it turned on for a second and then stopped working. I have hit the reset button but it will not turn on. Help this vacuum is only 2 years old Is there anything that I need to reset or do so that the vacuum will work again?
ANSWER : Its probably clogged up with cat litter.might have gotten into the motor.your motor has a motor guard inside if it. when it overheats it will shut down till it cools off.you need to clean all th cat liter out of it.and clean the filters.with a direct drive you might want to take it in to a repairman to sevice. its not a shop vac i advise you not to pick up things like cat liter
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Infinity Vaccum by Shark, model number NV31COS, will not start. The vacuum was running just fine until it grabbed the edge of a curtain. Turned it off to release the suction. Turned it back on and was working fine. About a minute later the vacuum was making an odd noise. Every 2 seconds or so it would “heave” (lack of a better word) then go away, then come back and so on. Turned the vacuum off and checked for blockage, none that could be seen or felt, and now the vacuum won’t turn. Any suggestio
ANSWER : Carpet brush won’t turn when vac on
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Kenmore canister vacuum model 116-25512506. It has a 2 stage switch on the handle, the vacuum motor will not work, the carpet beater attachment does work, the vacuum motor will not cut on at all with either stage, 1st stage is vac only, 2nd is vac a carpet attachment. Carpet attachment will work, vac does not.
ANSWER : Try to find the reset button. It should be somwhere near the bottom area. It looks like a red dot that you can push inward. If you can press and hold the reset button, it will restart your suction and solve your problem.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Suction Problem I was vacuuming and stopped to empty the cannister. When I started vacuuming again – the suction wasn’t working properly. The vacuum was just pushing stuff around the floor. I cleaned the hair out the brush on the bottom and it still isn’t working. It was working fine before I emptied the tube 🙁 I can’t figure out what happened.Help!
ANSWER : Greetings from GoVacuum,
.
.I believe what may have happened is that your vacuum cleaner belt has either broken, or been stretched so far that ithe brushes are no longer spinning fast enough.
.
.Here’s what you should do to diagnose this problem.
.
.1. Take the suction hose out of the back of the vacuum (assuming that your vacuum has on-board tools), and see if you have any suction coming from the hose. If you do, this indicates your belt is bad.
.
.2. If you don’t have suction coming from the hose, then it may be something as simple as replacing the filters, to a clog in the vacuum, or to your motor going bad.
.
.In my professional opinion though I would say from what you stated that the belt is mostly likely going to be your issue. If you can provide me the model number of your vacuum cleaner, I can walk you through step by step on ow to replace the belt.
.
.I have posted a short YouTube video on a vacuum belt change, this is not for all vacuums, but it will give you some idea of how to change a belt;
.
.
.
.
.
.I believe what may have happened is that your vacuum cleaner belt has either broken, or been stretched so far that ithe brushes are no longer spinning fast enough.
.
.Here’s what you should do to diagnose this problem.
.
.1. Take the suction hose out of the back of the vacuum (assuming that your vacuum has on-board tools), and see if you have any suction coming from the hose. If you do, this indicates your belt is bad.
.
.2. If you don’t have suction coming from the hose, then it may be something as simple as replacing the filters, to a clog in the vacuum, or to your motor going bad.
.
.In my professional opinion though I would say from what you stated that the belt is mostly likely going to be your issue. If you can provide me the model number of your vacuum cleaner, I can walk you through step by step on ow to replace the belt.
.
.I have posted a short YouTube video on a vacuum belt change, this is not for all vacuums, but it will give you some idea of how to change a belt;
.
.
.
.
Thanks, and if you have questions about your particular model, please feel free to contact me at
.
.[email protected]
.1-866-468-2288
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Unbeknownst to me, someone took the bag out of my Kenmore Progressive vacuum and failed to replace it. I have been vacuuming without a bag for months, and today the vacuum stopped sucking. When I opened up the front to replace the bag, tons of dirt and dust came pouring out. I thoroughly cleaned the vacuum, put in a new bag, but still no sucking power. Just dust coming from the rear vents where one of the filters is. Is the vacuum ruined, or is it a simple solution of buying a new filter?
ANSWER : Sounds like you need to buy a new motor. All that grit and dust will ruin a motor and I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did.
.This is where a vacuum that won’t run without a bag would have been nice. (Aerus for one)
.This is where a vacuum that won’t run without a bag would have been nice. (Aerus for one)
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
