Question after Lots of Particle Tests

[vacuumwars]

I just got done with a lot of particle tests using clouds of mist that are between 1-5 microns.

I found a lot of "HEPA complete seal" or Whole machine HEPA Filtration claims were off (The Dyson Ball Animal 2 failed as well as Lower end Sharks) both of which claim to have whole machine HEPA filtration.

I only had two bagged vacuums in the test, the Kirby Avalir 2 and the Hoover Anniversary Windtunnel" both of which used OEM HEPA bags and passed with ease.

A lot of the failures were due to the machines not really being sealed.

My question is, are bagged vacuums inherently better with particle filtration? If so, is it because there are less opportunities for leakage?

I tested 10 vacs, 5 Failures 5 Passes.

Ill post a video here later, maybe tomorrow night.

 

[vaclab]

One to five microns?

The only way to properly test particulate removal is to perform the tests as I have done or purchase a particle generator that can emit fine particulate at the 0.3 micron level. One to five microns is huge.

Bill

 

[vacuumwars]

Well, the way I look at it is if a HEPA filter needs to be 0.3 microns, then 1-5 microns is sufficient for determining A.) if there is a sealed system and B.) if the Hepa filter is at least functioning up to 1 to 5 microns.

From what I have seen in these tests the problem is a sealed system in every case. I suspect there are going to be VERY few vacuums that have a truly sealed system and a HEPA filter that would not have passed the test if the particle test was 0.4 microns. At that point you are just talking about a faulty HEPA filter, nothing about the vacuum engineering.

Plus its is a great way to visualize this, and pinpoint the problem areas.

Btw thanks to Performance Reviews on Youtube, he pointed out in a video that the lower end Sharks sealed system fails over time due to the heat warping the Hepa housing. I just retested with a new NV352 and sure enough it passed.

The question now is how long does it take to start failing. The Dyson does not have an excuse I can see, it claims to have a sealed system but leaks, Performance Reviews tested a new Dyson Ball Animal 2 with similar results.

The V10 and V8 passed though.

 

[myles_v]

I'd believe that bagged vacuums are inherently better at filtration, especially a clean air machine with a cloth HEPA bag. There may be air leaks after the bag/before the post motor filter but with a high quality bag it doesn't matter much.

 

[ultralux88]

Of course bagged vacuums are inherently better at filtration! All of the machines that are truly certified HEPA, other than the Rainbow, use bags. Bags make it simpler to force all of the dirty air through the filter material. They also lend towards a simpler and more direct air path, which increases performance.

 

[vacuumwars]

Here is the video.

 

[kenkart]

I dont really worry

If a Automatic f or g Electrolux kept a clean house in the 50s and 60s, its good enough for me now, a cloth bag like a old Kirby etc will be dusty if you don't empty it every time you use it, which if done correctly is a messy proposition,i think a Filter Queen is about as good as you can get for not blowing fine dust,i don't own anything considered high filtration except a Nilfisk gs 90, and if you can get any dust past all those filters, have at it..lol

 

[dysonman1]

No one died running a 1956 pink GE Swivel Top, which is one of my favorite machines of all times. I agree with Hans, the Filter Queen's cellulose cone, and the Air-Way's 14 layer cellulose bag filtered beautifully AND those two machines are a delight to use.

 

[vacuumdevil]

I would say over the years in my testing with the IQ air particle counter.
About 20% of machines actually filter properly.