{"id":5497,"date":"2022-07-01T14:47:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T14:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beckerpumps.com\/ca\/?p=5497"},"modified":"2025-02-19T22:15:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T22:15:41","slug":"sizing-your-central-medical-vacuum-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beckerpumps.com\/ca\/news\/sizing-your-central-medical-vacuum-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Sizing Your Central Medical Vacuum System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Becker<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When you know your medical vacuum system well, it\u2019s obvious when the system is struggling. Maybe the pumps run constantly, or cycle on and off too frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This blog will focus on central medical vacuum system size and design, and how it can affect your system\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll cover the factors that lead to unsuitable pump sizing, identify over-and-undersized systems, see how the pros handle medical vacuum system size, and review things to consider before buying a new pump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

IMPROPERLY SIZED VACUUM SYSTEMS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How is it that a critical, life-sustaining system like a medical vacuum can be sized incorrectly? Well, there are a few reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To start, it\u2019s possible that a salesperson sold a hospital or laboratory the wrong medical vacuum system size in the first place, which can happen when an ill-informed distributor sells a system they don\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To a customer who\u2019s not an expert in pumps, the large system\u2019s additional vacuum capability and future potential are enticing. As for the distributor, it\u2019s in their favor to sell an expensive, oversized system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Win-win, right? Actually, not at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OVERSIZED MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEM SIZE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oversizing a central vacuum system presents two unique problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One, pumps that are sized too large will turn on and off frequently. This cycling potentially pushes the pumps outside their operational guidelines and may cause lasting damage to the motors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, if a facility installs a minimum run timer to prevent over-cycling, then the motor will apply more horsepower than necessary, wasting energy and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNDERSIZED MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEM SIZE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Undersized systems will constantly run to keep up with demand\u2014meaning the pumps never get a break. This non-stop operation shortens the equipment\u2019s lifespan. The central vacuum system size also creates a risky compliance situation where the reserve pump may kick in to satisfy the demand for suction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the reserve pump turns on for day-to-day operations, the undersized system no longer meets NFPA 99 requirements. It\u2019s out of compliance\u2014a serious issue for any healthcare facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FIND OUT IF YOUR EXISTING MEDICAL VACUUM SYSTEM SIZE IS CORRECT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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It\u2019s possible you were sold the wrong medical vacuum system size, or that your facility has outgrown the original installation. If the present-day demands on your vacuum have the system undersized, you might hit a snag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how to find the optimal system size for your application:<\/p>\n\n\n\n