Central Vacuum Definitions
Airwatts
This is an important performance value for a vacuum motor. Airwatts are the actual value of the output air power, which is the useful work done by the motor. Airwatts represent power produced by the motor used for cleaning, again opposing Amp or Watt rating which only refer to the power consumed from the household electrical outlet.
CFM/Airflow
Airflow is a measure of cubic feet of air moved per minute (CFM). Open airflow is the CFM produced by the motor with no airflow restrictions to the motor’s fan inlet (wide open motor inlet), so open airflow (CFM) is the highest airflow that the motor can achieve. However, with no vacuum (Inches of Waterlift) there is no ability to pick up dirt or debris.
Inches of Waterlift H2O/Sealed Vacuum
Sealed vacuum is a test parameter that indicates how much vacuum is developed when the unit has a perfectly sealed blocked inlet. At sealed vacuum there is no airflow. With no air moving, no dirt can be picked up to be carried through the cleaner to the filter bag. Sealed vacuum and airflow must combine to carry the dirt. Therefore sealed vacuum alone does not indicate cleaning performance.
Amp & Watts
Amps and Watts indicate the amount of electrical power consumed by the vacuum’s electrical system. This power is drawn from the outlet in the customer’s home. However, There is often no direct correlation between air cleaning power produced by the motor and the amount of Amps or Watts being consumed from the outlet. (i.e. : input power)
Peak Horsepower
This is not meaningful, as it has no direct correlation to cleaning ability. Motor Horsepower is established with a bare motor (no fans) mounted on a dynamometer, loaded to a torque that far exceeds the greatest torque the motor fans could ever apply to the motor.
This is an important performance value for a vacuum motor. Airwatts are the actual value of the output air power, which is the useful work done by the motor. Airwatts represent power produced by the motor used for cleaning, again opposing Amp or Watt rating which only refer to the power consumed from the household electrical outlet.
CFM/Airflow
Airflow is a measure of cubic feet of air moved per minute (CFM). Open airflow is the CFM produced by the motor with no airflow restrictions to the motor’s fan inlet (wide open motor inlet), so open airflow (CFM) is the highest airflow that the motor can achieve. However, with no vacuum (Inches of Waterlift) there is no ability to pick up dirt or debris.
Inches of Waterlift H2O/Sealed Vacuum
Sealed vacuum is a test parameter that indicates how much vacuum is developed when the unit has a perfectly sealed blocked inlet. At sealed vacuum there is no airflow. With no air moving, no dirt can be picked up to be carried through the cleaner to the filter bag. Sealed vacuum and airflow must combine to carry the dirt. Therefore sealed vacuum alone does not indicate cleaning performance.
Amp & Watts
Amps and Watts indicate the amount of electrical power consumed by the vacuum’s electrical system. This power is drawn from the outlet in the customer’s home. However, There is often no direct correlation between air cleaning power produced by the motor and the amount of Amps or Watts being consumed from the outlet. (i.e. : input power)
Peak Horsepower
This is not meaningful, as it has no direct correlation to cleaning ability. Motor Horsepower is established with a bare motor (no fans) mounted on a dynamometer, loaded to a torque that far exceeds the greatest torque the motor fans could ever apply to the motor.