EU-limited vacuums explained

[mike811]

I decided to explain what those EU-limitations really mean and how they affect to the vacuums.
Note that these rules don't apply to the certain vacuums like:
- wet & dry, battery-operated, robot, industrial and central vacuum cleaners
- hand-held vacuum cleaners
- mattress cleaners
- ash vacuums

So vacuums have to meet these requirements:
- rated input power: less than 900 W (700 W is the most common motor size)
- maximum sound level: 80 dB(A)
- minimum dust pick up on carpet (dpuc): 0.75
- minimum dust pick up on hard floor (dpuhf) 0.98
- maximum dust re-emission: 1,00 %
- minimum operational motor lifetime: 500 hours
- minimum durability of the hose (if any): still usable after 40 000 oscillations under strain

Now how these show in reality:
To meet the pick up requirements floor/carpet nozzles are often re-designed (more sealed to the surface). Problem is that many of these nozzles are very hard to push on carpets/hard floors.
Getting more from the smaller wattage motor. Typical re-design is short as possible airpath from bag/bin to the nozzle (uprights). Separate hose for above the floor vacuuming is needed.
More efficient motor/turbine design.
More sound insulation and in some cases complete redesign.
Fully sealed HEPA filtration.

Now to the raw numbers (measured from the hose end)

Lets take Electrolux UltraFlex 700w vs 2100w

2100w motor
airflow = 85 cfm
suction = 110" waterlift
700w motor
airflow = 76 cfm
suction = 78" waterlift

So this is something what I often see. High wattage vacuums give much more suction, but airflow increases less.

 

[madman]

Nice, comprehensive. I wonder if this means the UK can buy higher wattage vacuums now? Hey, you know if they can, they might start selling vacs on ebay to the rest of Europe.

It is interesting how nanny state regulations can produce technological innovations, though.

 

[huskyvacs]

It's interesting that vacuums have came full circle back around to their 1920's counterparts - a tiny low wattage motor, but due to careful fan case design to accelerate airflow (and of course having a big scooped metal fan) they had an enormous amount of suction. They of course had no filtration system to slow down the airflow other than the bag, but put a 90 year old vac against a 90 day old vac and they can hold their own pretty good.

I think the "power wars" of the mid and late 90's kinda got people and vacuum companies into the mindset that more wattage, giant motors, and a ton of noise meant the vacuum was super powerful - so they designed the vacuums in turn to do that.

That little turbocharger-esque fan case design of early vacuums - I think replicating that again today with a bagless vac design would likely still work.

 

[mike811]

@madman


UK still have to follow these rules. Like we all know ibaisaic (Roger) from youtube. In his videos all new vacuums are EU limited.
Many has criticised watt limitations, but overall vacuums are now more efficient.
Low noise level is certainty welcome rule.

 

[mike811]

@huskyvacs


It's now back to the 70's with these new lower wattage vacuums. Even 80's vacuums were using more power. Usually around 1000 watts.
My late 70's 900 watt Elektro Helios Electronic U318 produced a lot of power. I measured high numbers from it. But obviously it didn't have hepa filtration. Although I used hepa bags. Sadly I sold it.
New vacuums use tapered turbines giving the performance boost. Also hoses, pipes, etc. are designed for maximum airflow.
To be honest vacuum motors were getting ridiculously high wattage. I mean having 2500 watt motor in a vacuum was mad. They created a lot of heat and in some cases melted the casing if they were blocked long enough.