Wanting to Test Vacuums

[z67danco]

I’d like to gradually start testing vacuums, but I don’t know where to start. I don’t want flaws in my experiments, but that’s something I’ll have to learn as I go, refining the process over time. Eventually, I would like to have a way to get my experiment(s) analyzed. What equipment would be ideal to start out with? What tests? ASTM?

Is there any database for vacuum-specific research? Or air purification?

I’m primarily interested in filtration performance, and dirt extraction ability. I’m trying to figure out what the most common type of carpet is in U.S. residential houses so that the carpet samples I acquire for testing will be better representations of carpet performance than if I were to use my own home’s carpet. I do want to test performance differences on special types as well. Some vacuums do well on one carpet, but struggle on another.

As far as filtration, that will probably be more difficult due to the conditions being more challenging to control at home; but I’d like to test for air leaks and particle retention at PM 0.1 and PM 0.3. Maybe I could build an air-tight chamber, but how would I test for PM 0.1? Particle counters are interesting and useful but they don’t cover all the bases. I still want one, though.

What do I have to test currently? Kirby, Rainbow, Miele, Sebo, Dyson. My primary daily driver is a Miele C3, while my V15 supplements daily spot-cleaning and touch-ups. We have a a few indoor pets, a good mix of carpet and hard flooring, and a lot of traffic, so daily vacuuming is a must.

 

[cheesewonton]

Do some reading on how HVAC techs measure turbulent airflow in a tube or pipe. That will give you some insights on how to use an anemometer properly, and the math to correctly calculate airflow from air velocity and the surface area of the hose, tube, pipe or whatever the air is moving though.

Understand that suction and airflow are inversely related. As suction increases airflow decreases. The larger the hole, or orifice, the vacuum is breathing through the greater the airflow but suction is less. As the orifice size is decreased or restricted suction will increase and airflow will decrease. At sealed suction there is no airflow. If you ever wondered why vacuum motors seem to speed up when you put your hand over the hose it is because the airflow is stopped, unloading the fan and allowing the motor to spin faster ( and overheat ! ). When you take your hand off airflow resumes and the motor slows down as it works to spin the fan(s) against the mass of the air flowing through it.

If you look at some vacuum motor performance charts you see that as suction increases amp draw and wattage drop.. That is because more suction means less air on the fan(s) and less load on the motor. You can get a lot of insights into vacuum motor performance from studying their performance charts. The Ametek website has what they call "Product Bulletins" for their motors that show all these relationships as well as how air watts are calculated from suction and airflow at different size orifices.

 

[Absolute Rainbow]

Do some reading on how HVAC techs measure turbulent airflow in a tube or pipe. That will give you some insights on how to use an anemometer properly, and the math to correctly calculate airflow from air velocity and the surface area of the hose, tube, pipe or whatever the air is moving though.

Understand that suction and airflow are inversely related. As suction increases airflow decreases. The larger the hole, or orifice, the vacuum is breathing through the greater the airflow but suction is less. As the orifice size is decreased or restricted suction will increase and airflow will decrease. At sealed suction there is no airflow. If you ever wondered why vacuum motors seem to speed up when you put your hand over the hose it is because the airflow is stopped, unloading the fan and allowing the motor to spin faster ( and overheat ! ). When you take your hand off airflow resumes and the motor slows down as it works to spin the fan(s) against the mass of the air flowing through it.

If you look at some vacuum motor performance charts you see that as suction increases amp draw and wattage drop.. That is because more suction means less air on the fan(s) and less load on the motor. You can get a lot of insights into vacuum motor performance from studying their performance charts. The Ametek website has what they call "Product Bulletins" for their motors that show all these relationships as well as how air watts are calculated from suction and airflow at different size orifices.

In addition, also watch the reviews @Vacuum Facts, Vacuum Wars, RTINGS and such made. They are objective in their own way (Vacuum Facts himself considering himself gold standard; Vacuum Wars no longer doing sponsored review; RTINGS' extensive datas), and look out for important stuffs. Both specs and actual floor- and deep-cleaning performance (across both hard floors and all kinds of carpets) are important for dust extraction. As for the filtration, you'll need a smoke test to test the machine filtration first - you'll want a fully sealed, whole-machine HEPA filtration.

FYI, @z67danco

 

[cheesewonton]

In addition, also watch the reviews @Vacuum Facts, Vacuum Wars, RTINGS and such made. They are objective in their own way (Vacuum Facts himself considering himself gold standard; Vacuum Wars no longer doing sponsored review; RTINGS' extensive datas), and look out for important stuffs. Both specs and actual floor- and deep-cleaning performance (across both hard floors and all kinds of carpets) are important for dust extraction. As for the filtration, you'll need a smoke test to test the machine filtration first - you'll want a fully sealed, whole-machine HEPA filtration.

FYI, @z67danco

Vacuum Wars has the best test procedure by far. The one and only criticism is that their technique for measuring airflow is wrong and over states actual airflow. In every other respect they have a very good, repeatable non subjective series of tests.

 

[centralsweeper63]

I would suggest that you get a few different types of carpet. These being solution dyed nylon, loop pile wool, mohawk plush and then a two pile height plush rug to finish off a set of testing rugs. Make sure they are at least 4x4 feet though not too much larger so as to allow for weighing the carpet. This size lets you run three full size vacuums side by side for comparison. I think that everyone should know the difference between baking soda and flour in vacuum testing. Flour is lighter and finer. Baking soda is sharper and denser. Therefore using a mix of very fine sand, baking soda and flour gives you a good mix of sizes. I use kpok to simulate pet hair as it is very accurate for dog hair. Kinetic sand really gets in the fibres good and stays there. This makes it a perfect test material. Pumice and cat litter are good for larger debris. Also if you want to be precise you should weigh the carpet beforehand. Therefore you can account for what was left in the carpet by the last vacuum. Bear in mind you need space for all the stuff behind the brush roll on your rug, otherwise the machine will be angled which prevents it from adjusting properly. Weighing dust bags or bins is good for measuring pickup. A precise set of small scales is good for measuring dirt. A large set is good for weighing rugs. I won't be much help with air filtration testing. The tricky bit is the testing I suppose.