HOW TO SIZE A CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEM
1. DETERMINE YOUR ELECTRICAL SERVICE.
A. If you do not know, call your electrician and have him check it with a digital amp-probe. Most buildings in commercial areas will be either 200-208 or 230 volt. The phase will be either single (2 wires & ground) or three phase (3 wires & ground).
B. In industrial areas voltage can be 460, or 480 volt three phase.
C. Be sure the electrical panel your motor(s) will be serviced from has enough amperage service to handle your motor amperage draw. Always have electrical installation done by a licensed commercial electrician for your protection and warranty.
D. Always operate motor on three phase and highest voltage possible. This will give you the best motor performance and lowest cost of operation.
E. If your electrical service is 200, 208 or 230 volt, single phase, you can operate up to a 10 H. P. motor, as long as you have enough amperage service.
F. Always install a magnetic starter "across the line" non reversing, sized for the motor H.P., phase, voltage, and full load amperage draw, with Nema - 1 enclosure for indoors, and Nema-3R enclosure for outdoors. Motor warranty is void if not installed. If electrical panel, power is supplied from, is not at vacuum turbine installation site, you must also install at turbine site a fused disconnect, sized for motor H. P., voltage amps, and phase. Nema 1 enclosure for indoors and Nema 3R enclosure for outdoors.
G. Whenever possible, install magnetic starter indoors, near electrical panel.
H. Wire size required for motor will be determined by H. P., phase, voltage, full load amperage, and length of run from electrical panel to motor location.
I. Locate an on-off switch for vacuum turbine motor where it is easily accessible. We recommend that the vacuum turbine be left on all day. This will prolong motor life, and cost less to operate.
J. If electrical service is to be provided in a hazardous location, such as, near gasoline dispensers, all electrical material, controls, and vacuum turbine motor(s) must be rated explosion proof, per code.
2. WHERE TO LOCATE VACUUM EQUIPMENT.
A. Whenever possible place vacuum equipment as close to vacuum cleaning location as possible. This will minimize friction loss caused by the piping system main line length, elbows, tees, vacuum hose length and diameter
B. When installing vacuum equipment outside, provide a concrete pad. Concrete is preferred because it is not effected by heat and cold. In addition, it also provides a more solid foundation. it is recommended that the concrete pad be installed 4" to 6" above the ground, as this provides a moisture barrier.
C. If installing equipment outside, providing weather protection will prolong paint finish and protect it from the elements, extending its life and performance.
D. Indoor installation is ideal as is provides protection from the elements, and vandalism. Indoor installation requires adequate ventilation, and vacuum turbine to be exhausted to atmosphere. We recommend louvered doors and an exhaust fan [450-CFM (cubic feet per minute) minimum] controlled by a thermostat set at 850F.
3. PIPING SYSTEM AND USERS.
A. The three most influential determining factors for designing a vacuum piping system, are total piping length, (including tee's and elbows), hose diameter and length, and number of users. They determine the motor H. P., turbine CFM, suction, separator size, and air debris filtration area needed for the complete system to perform and provide optimum airflow and suction. to all hose drops used. The number of hose drops is only a factor in determining the total piping system length. To determine the H. P. required to meet your needs, multiply total vacuum users x 2.75 H. P. (See page 3 for formula.)
B. Contact VACUTECH LLCTM for engineered piping system drawings for your vacuum cleaning system requirements. This is the only way to assure you of a system that will provide the proper amount of airflow and suction at the vacuum hose locations. Our unique piping system design will eliminate clogging, moisture from getting into the main line, and wear to elbows and tee's.
4. FORMULA FOR DETERMINING MODEL & H.P. FOR YOUR REQUIREMENTS BASED ON STANDARD CONDITIONS, 680 F SEA LEVEL TO 3800' ELEVATION:
A. 2.75 H.P. per user when total vacuum piping system length is 80' or less and vacuum hoses are 1. 50" diameter x 15'.
FORMULA EXAMPLE 1:
- 80'of pipe
- 5 user's at one time,
- vacuuming with 1. 50" x 15' hoses.
- 2.75 H. P. x 5 = 13.75 H. P.
Select model PCS2153TS Simplex 15 H.P. Turbine and SFS3179 Separator or model PCD2103TS Duplex 10 H.P. Turbines and SFS3179 Separator.
B. Add 0.25 H.P. for every 20' of pipe over 80' total length.
C. Add 0.25 H.P. for every 5' of 1.50" vac-hose over 15' total length.
D. Add 0.50 H.P. for 2"x15 vac-hoses.
FORMULA EXAMPLE 2:
- 80' of pipe
- 6 user's at one time
- vacuuming with 1.50" x 15' hoses.
- 2.75 H.P. x 6 = 16.50 H.P.
Select model PCS2204 TS Simplex 20 H. P. Turbine and SFS3179 Separator. or model PCD2153TS Duplex 15 H.P. Turbines and SFS3179 Separator.
E. Add 0.25 H.P. for every 20' of pipe over 80' total length.
F. Add 0.25 H.P. for every 5' of 1.50" vac-hose over 15' total length.
G. Add 0.50 H.P. for 2"x 15' vac-hoses.
FORMULA EXAMPLE 3:
- 120' of pipe
- 6 users at one time
- vacuuming with 1. 50" x 15' hoses
- 3.50 H.P. x 6 = 21.00 H.P.
Select model PCS2204TS Simplex 25 H.P. Turbine and SFS3179 Filtered Separator Or model PCD2153TS Duplex 15 H.P. Turbines, and SFS3179 Filtered Separator.
H. For elevations over 3800' contact VACUTECH TM .
I. For 50 Hz and special electrical voltage requirements contact VACUTECH TM .
5. FORMULA FOR DETERMINING MODEL AND H.P. FOR YOUR REUIREMENTS, BASED ON STANDARD CONDITIONS ABOVE 3800' UP TO 6000' ELEVATION
A. 3.50 H.P. per user when total vacuum piping system length is 80' or less and vacuum hoses are 1. 50" diameter x 15'.
FORMULA EXAMPLE 1:
- 80' of pipe
- 4 users at one time
- vacuuming with 1. 50" x 15' hoses.
- 3.50 H.P. x 4 = 14 H.P.
Select model PCS2153TS Simplex 15 H.P. Turbine & SFS3179 Filtered Separator. Or model PCD2103 TS Duplex 10 H. P. Turbines & SFS31 79 Filtered Separator.
B. Add 0.25 H.P. for every 20' of pipe over 80' total length.
C. Add 0.25 H.P. for every 5' of 1.50" vac-hose over 15' total length.
D. Add 0.50 H.P. for 2"x 15' vac-hoses.
E. For 50hz and special electrical voltage requirements contact VACUTECH TM
FORMULA EXAMPLE 2:
- 100'of pipe
- 4 user's at one time
- vacuuming with 1. 50" x 15' hoses.
- 3.75 H. P. x 4 = 15. 00 H. P.
Select model PCS2154TH Simplex 15 H.P. Turbine and SFS3179 Filtered Separator. Or model PCD2104TH Duplex 10 H.P. Turbines, and SFS3179 Filtered Separator.
VACUTECH will provide complete vacuum system engineering and design to their customers to ensure the proper system for their individual needs and requirements.
VACUTECH guarantees 100% customer satisfaction!