The ABC’s of Airflow, Lift and Filtration

AIRFLOW

Airflow is the amount or volume of air moving through the vacuum, usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The amount of air moving through a vacuum affects the amount of soil that can be carried along by the airflow and contained in the vacuum’s filtration.

 

LIFT

Lift, also known as static or water lift, is the ability of the vacuum’s airflow to lift dirt. It is typically measured in “inches of lift” determined by how many inches the vacuum cleaner’s airflow can pull water up a tube in a lab test. 

The higher the two numbers – airflow and lift – are, the better, since this combination largely determines the vacuum’s ability to pull “particles in.”

 

FILTRATION

Filtration captures the soils and is mainly responsible for reducing “particles out.” Filtration must be designed and proportioned to work with the vacuum’s airflow and lift so that the particles are stopped but not the airflow.