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OEM
When used relative to supplies or parts, this acronym means "Original Equipment Manufacturer" and indicates that the item was manufactured or marketed by the same company that manufactured the product in which it is used. When this is true, the product is often said to be "Genuine." See Genuine vs. Generic Dustbags for the importance of using dustbags marketed by the OEM. Package Yield
Typical number of washes at the recommended quantity for good washing performance and economical use of detergent. This amount is for full, normally-soiled loads in areas with normal water hardness. Please adjust if the load is smaller or more or less soiled than normal. If you live in an area with hard water, increase the amount of detergent used. Please use the package yield as a guideline only. The amount of detergent that suits your needs best is determined by your satisfaction with the wash results. See our page of Henkel Products for detergents, etc. imported into the USA by Miele, Inc. Paper Bag
The paper bag in a vacuum cleaner consists of an special paper enclosure into which the dirt and air are directed as part of the filtering system. The paper used is specially processed to permit the air to pass through it while retaining as much of the dust and dirt as possible. See also our article on Efficiency of Paper Bags. Peak Horse Power
An exaggerated rating of the output of a vacuum cleaner suction motor measuring the horse power using the formula which is based on torque per second. See also Peak Horse Power in our article on the Power of the Suction Motor. Polycarbonate
An extremely tough and strong synthetic plastic with the ability to maintain its shape and size even under great stresses over a wide range of temperatures. It is an ideal engineering plastic since it can be injection molded, blow molded, or extruded. See also our article on External Structure Materials & Durability Polymerization
The process by which small molecules called monomers are linked to form giant long-chain molecules called polymers. For more information, see our article on External Structure Materials & Durability. Polystyrene
Polystyrene is an ideal injection molding plastic which is hard, extremely transparent and a good insulator. It was first marketed by the Dow Chemical Company in 1937. See also our article on External Structure Materials & Durability. Power
Relative to vacuum cleaners, the physical or mechanical force or energy that is applied to the load. Typically the electrical power is transferred from the household electrical outlet to the electric motor where it is converted to mechanical power. The mechanical power is then transferred to the load of the brush roll or fan. When a turbine is used to drive a brush roll, it actually removes the power it applies from the air flow, reducing the velocity of the air flowing through the system. See also our article on the Power of the Suction Motor. Power Nozzle
A special attachment for deep cleaning carpets. It incorporates a revolving brush roll similar to that used in the upright type of vacuum cleaner and an electric motor to drive it. When using a power nozzle, the electric motor actually adds power to the cleaning system. A power nozzle should not be confused with a turbine nozzle. When a turbine is used instead of an electric motor, the power to drive the brush roll is actually removed from the air flow, reducing the velocity of the air flow through the system. Power Team Type
The type of vacuum cleaner that teams a canister type vacuum cleaner with a motorized power nozzle. The powerful brushing action of the power nozzle, combined with the strong suction of the clean-air suction motor, enables a power team to perform very well deep cleaning carpets as well as cleaning all other types of surfaces. For examples of excellent power teams, see our list of Ristenbatt Vacuum's Preferred Models. See also our article on the Two-Motor Power Team type of vacuum cleaner. Resistance
Relative to the air flow in a vacuum cleaner or electrical current flow in a wire, the opposition offered to the passage of air or electric through it. Resistance to air flow is present in a number of ways in a vacuum cleaner system. When cleaning carpets, the air flow is opposed by the carpet fibers. Air turbulence within a hose slightly opposes the air flow. Filtering media opposes the air flow since the air must flow around its fibers. Additional opposition builds as filter media becomes partially blocked by dirt particles. This is most noticeable as a paper bag fills with dirt. Opposition to air flow is even present within the suction motor and vacuum cleaner case since the air makes a number of sharp turns as it passes through them. Air flow in a vacuum cleaner is inversely proportional to the total resistance within the system and directly proportional to the suction created by the suction motor. S-Class Filter
A designation used by Europeans to indicate that a filter meets stringent standards like the British Standard 5415 and German norm: DIN 2418B Ti-E EU 13 for filtration performance. It is essentually the same as the HEPA specification which states that a filter must be capable of capturing 99.97% of all particles as small as 0.3µm (micrometers - formerly microns) in size from the air which flows through it. The phrase "as small as" means that if all particles were that small, it would still have that efficiency. This should not be confused with the phrase "down to" which may mean a mixture of particle sizes for the stated efficiency. See also our article on Filtration Efficiency - HEPA, ULPA, etc. Please see also "Can HEPA or S-Class Filtered Household Vacuums Safely Retain Anthrax?" for an answer to this important question.
Sealed Suction
The suction measured when there is no air flow through the suction motor. This is done by completely blocking the inlet of the motor or vacuum cleaner with the gauge. It is a measure of the potential developed when the motor is running at its maximum speed. Resistance to air flow within a system does not affect this measurement. For more information, see The Load to the Suction Motor in our article on Suction Motor Design & Operation and our article on the Power of the Suction Motor. Sleeve Bearing
A type of bearing typically consisting of a piece of bronze with a hole into which a steel shaft is inserted. Some are porous and have oil saturated felt surrounding them to provide lubrication. The steel shaft can rotate freely within the hole with very little resistance. This type of bearing can operate quieter than a ball bearing but may not be as durable, especially at higher speeds experienced by suction motors. Sleeve bearings in brush rolls can be as durable as ball bearings due to the dirty environment in which they operate.
Sleeve bearings are used extensively as brush roll bearings and moderately as one of the bearings in suction and brush roll motors. They should never be lubricated with standard motor oil or household oil unless the manufacturer's instructions specify to do so. This action usually will cause a dirt buildup within the bearing, causing premature failure.
Suction
Used broadly, the ability of a vacuum cleaner to efficiently pick up dirt. When used in a more narrow way, it is the actual pull or pressure difference created by the spinning fans in the suction motor. The term suction is often used interchangeably with the term vacuum. Air flow in a vacuum cleaner is inversely proportional to the total resistance within the system and directly proportional to the suction created by the suction motor. See also our article on Fan or Impeller Types & Performance.
Suction Motor
The motor in a vacuum cleaner which drives the fans to create the suction. The fans and fan casings are usually installed by the manufacturer and considered an integral part of the suction motor. See also our articles on Suction Motor Design & Operation, Fan or Impeller Types & Performance and the Power of the Suction Motor. Torque
A force that produces or tends to produce rotation on an axis. In an electric motor this is the force from the interaction of the magnetic fields produced by the flow of current through the armature and field coils. See also our articles on Suction Motor Design & Operation. Traditional Upright
A vacuum cleaner design in which the air flow which picked up the dirt passes through the fan of the suction motor before it is cleaned by the filtering system. This designation is used since most uprights used this design since their inception. While usually not producing as much suction for use with attachments, this design often will produce more air flow when working with large openings and short air flow distances. Therefore, this design in an upright usually performs well when cleaning carpets. This type of system is also referred to as a Dirty-Air Design. See also our articles on Fan or Impeller Types & Performance and the Traditional Upright type of vacuum cleaner. Turbine Nozzle
A special attachment for deep cleaning carpets. It incorporates a revolving brush roll similar to that used in the upright type of vacuum cleaner and an air driven turbine to drive it. A turbine nozzle should not be confused with a motorized power nozzle. When a turbine is used instead of an electric motor, the power to drive the brush roll is actually removed from the air flow, reducing the velocity of the air flow through the system. When using a power nozzle, the electric motor actually adds power to the cleaning system. Twin Ply Microfiltration Bag
A special name Sharp gives to their high filtration dustbags. According to Sharp, "The highly efficient Twin Ply microfiltration dustbag traps over 99% of dust and dirt down to 5 microns. Twin Ply's electrostatically charged fibers capture fine dust particles for enhanced air filtration and cleaner air in your home." For more information, see Dustbag Performance and Filtration Efficiency. ULPA
ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) is a filtering efficiency specification for filters used in environments like pharmaceutical labs wherein the highest degree of clean air must be maintained. An ULPA filter must retain all particles as small as 0.12 µm (micrometers - formerly microns) in size at an efficiency rate of 99.999%. The phrase "as small as" means that if all particles were that small, it would still have that efficiency. This should not be confused with the phrase "down to" which may mean a mixture of particle sizes for the stated efficiency.
The Nilfisk Portable Dust Collector is an example of a commercial vacuum cleaner which can be equipped with a Certified ULPA filter. Due to its air tight seals, it actually meets the ULPA specification for net filtration. Certified ULPA filters, like those used by Nilfisk, are tested and marked with a certification number which gives the user the assurance that the ULPA specification is actually being achived by the filter. See also our article on Filtration Efficiency - HEPA, ULPA, etc.
Upright Type
A type of vacuum cleaner which is self-contained and has a handle extending vertically from its main case. Typically it contains a revolving brush roll for deep cleaning carpets. Many uprights also have on-board attachments for cleaning furniture and hard-to-reach corners although the suction with them usually isn't as strong as with the canister types. Being self-contained, uprights are pushed around in front of their users, eliminating the need to pull something behind them. For examples of excellent uprights, see our list of Ristenbatt Vacuum's Preferred Models. Vacuum
A total vacuum is the absence of everything, even air. Vacuum cleaners actually create a partial vacuum, or more accurately, an area of reduced air pressure as air moves outward within the fan. Air flow is created as air with normal air pressure moves toward the area with the reduced air pressure. See also our article on Fan or Impeller Types & Performance. Velocity of the Air Flow
The speed of the air at any specific location in the vacuum cleaner system. It is the force exerted by the moving air which actually picks up the dirt and moves it into the bag or dirt container. Vinyl
Polyvinyl chloride, typically called vinyl or PVC, is a very versatile thermoplastic material. It is strong, easily colored and resists abrasion. It can be produced in a very soft form or a rigid form where it has one of the highest combinations of stiffness and impact strength. See also our article on External Structure Materials & Durability Voltage (Volts)
Electric potential or potential difference, expressed in volts. It is the push and pull of the potential difference between two points which causes electrical current to flow through a wire or device which is connected across them. The voltage in a typical household electrical outlet ranges from 103 to 120 volts. Water Lift
Relative to vacuum cleaners, water lift is a measurement of the strength of the vacuum produced by the suction motor. Suction gauges used on vacuum cleaners are calibrated in "Inches of Water Lift". This is equivalent to taking a vertical tube, placing the bottom in a container of water, attaching the vacuum cleaner hose at the top and measuring how high above the water surface the water in the tube rises. By the way, one cubic inch of water weighs 0.036 pounds so the negative pressure in pounds per square inch can be found by multiplying the water lift by 0.036. If you see suction rated in millibars (mbar), mulitply that number by 0.4 to convert it to inches of water lift. Watt (Electrical)
A watt is a unit of measurement of electrical power equal to the rate of work performed by a current of one ampere produced by a potential of one volt. Also, one horsepower (actual, not peak horsepower) equals 746 watts. To find the power of vacuum cleaner motor in watts, simply multiply the amperage rating by the normal household voltage rating of 103 to 120 volts.
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