Central Vacuum Motors                                      
 
Central Vacuum Cleaner motors - The Heart of Your Central Vacuum System

Central Vacuum motors can last 20 year and more, provided the vacuum system is powered the more reliable By-Pass motor. The true differences between central vacuum systems are in how the central vacuum unit itself protects the motor from damaging dust and heat (The two leading causes for premature motor failure). The motor is the most important and expensive component of your Central vacuum, make sure you get the best!

Motor cooling - The truth about central vacuum motors

Thru-flow motors (which depend on air traveling through them for cooling) are generally not used on larger central vacuums. This is because when they are sealed for any length of time, the motor does not get adequate airflow and it will often overheat. Since the power unit is in a remote location, the user has no idea that the motor is revving up while not receiving the necessary airflow—they cannot hear it.

Sadly, many central vacuum manufacturers are stooping to thru-flow motors to reduce their costs and boost their performance stats.


The Thru-Flow Motor
Often you will see this type of motor in less expensive and smaller systems. This motor uses vacuumed air to cool itself by passing vacuumed air over the armature. It is critical then that care be taken to insure air is filtered and clean to prolong the life of this motor.



The Peripheral By-Pass Motor
Again typically less expensive then a tangential type motor, these motors actually employ a cooling fan on top of the motor which blows fresh clean air over the armature and exhausts it peripherally through vents on the side of the motor.

Generally more powerful then their Flow-thru cousins these motors should be more reliable since clean fresh air is being use to cool the armature. Care should be considered in the exhaust of this unit which is dirty and heated.


 

The By-Pass Motor
This style is the best motor for central vacuum systems. While about three times more expensive than a Thru-flow motor, the implementation of a tangential exhaust ensures all heated and dirty exhaust is removed from the motor chamber and expelled thus maximizing longevity.