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INSTALLATION MANUAL CENTRALVACUUM.COM M.D. MANUFACTURING CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS

1
Central Vacuum System
INSTALLATION
MANUAL
C
ongratulations, you have joined
the growing number of house-
holds to enjoy the many benefits of
owning a central vacuum system. This
booklet contains an overview of how
to install a central vacuum system.
TOOLS REQUIRED...
1/2 Right Angle Electic Drill

2 1/2 Hole Gutter

1/4 Masonry Bit

1/8 Drill Bit Hack Saw or Small Hand Saw

Pocket or Utility Knife

Steel Measuring Tape

Screw Driver (Philips)

Screw Driver (Slot)

Electrical Tape and Connectors

Wire Coat Hanger
Repurposed by M.D. Manufac-
turing for internet use by per-
mission of Vaculine (Canplas
Industries in Ontario, Canada).
Vaculine manufactures high
quality central vacuum fittings
at exacting standards to provide
positive seals, easy installation
and superior air flow character-
istics.
Installing a central vacuum system
is a straightforward do-it-yourself
project that doesnt require special
tools or skills. The procedure is
quite simple if you take your time
and follow the instructions carefully.
Always fully consider the implica-
tions before you cut into a wall.
Make sure you have chosen the
right location and are not cutting
into any hidden electrical wires or
plumbing.
Plan
Ahead!
Planning is the key to the suc-
cessful installation of a central
vacuum system. A balance
between the best locations for
the inlet valves and the practical-
ity of installing in these locations
must be obtained. With a little
ingenuity most locations can be
reached. CENTRALVACUUM.COM M.D. MANUFACTURING CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS

2
The Power Unit Location
The power unit can be located in the
garage, basement, utility room or any
other area that is dry and remote
enough that living areas will not be
affected by the sound of the electric
motor. The unit must be mounted
within three feet of an electrical
outlet. Electrical specifications of the
power unit should be checked to
avoid overloading the circuit. The unit
should be mounted so that it is out of
the way but still accessible for empty-
ing. If the system is to be exhausted
to the outdoors the power unit should
be located on an exterior wall. Vent-
ing to areas such as patios and
entranceways should be avoided.
** Vacuums must breathdo not
enclose. If the unit is to be located in a closet or utility room it must be vented. Louvered doors
fulfill this purpose. A muffler can, of course be used to minimize noise.
Inlet Valve Locations
Correctly positioned inlet valves will
ensure trouble-free vacuuming over
the many years of service that will
be received from a central vacuum
system. The hose must be able to
reach every corner of the house and
go around furniture to get there.
Drapes, closets and ceiling corners
all must be reached. Central loca-
tions such as hallways, beside
doors and adjacent to the bottom of
staircases are ideal. Areas such as
behind furniture or behind doors
should be avoided. A thirty-foot
string or the hose itself can be used to help plan the layout. If working with 1/4 scale blueprints
a seven-inch string can be used to represent the hose. If an electrical beater brush is to be
used at present or in the future the inlet valve should be located within five feet of an electrical
outlet. Air-turbine driven beater brush heads do not require electricity and thus allow more
flexibility when choosing inlet valve locations. CENTRALVACUUM.COM M.D. MANUFACTURING CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS

3
Planning the Piping System
The amount of airflow that reaches the hose is
dependent on the efficiency of the layout of the
tubing system. Lines are to be kept as straight
as possible. Tight 90 degree fillings are to be
used only at inlet valve locations and sweep
90s used in all other applications.
1. The Trunk Line
The trunk line connects the furthest inlet valve
to the power unit. Branch lines flowing into the
trunk line will connect all other inlet valves. If
the basement is unfinished the trunk line is best
run beneath the joists in the basement ceiling.
The upper floors can be accessed through
closets, cold air return ducts or in partition
walls. Alternatively the trunk line could run
straight up to the attic and service the floors
beneath by branch lines dropping through
closet ceilings or partition walls. The location of
the trunk line will greatly depend on the
construction of the house and the location of
the power unit.
2. Branch Lines
Branch lines join the remaining inlet valves to
the trunk line. As with the trunk line these lines
should be kept as straight as possible. Forty-
five degree fittings should be used to avoid
sharp corners (90 degree fittings) when pos-
sible. Airflow direction should always be consid-
ered when installing branch lines.
Avoid
Gravity
Drops!
A branch line located
directly below an over-
head trunk line will
accumulate dirt due to
the effects of gravity.
The result will be a pile
of dirt at the base of the
inlet valve every time it
is opened. To avoid this
situation the following
techniques should be
used. CENTRALVACUUM.COM M.D. MANUFACTURING CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS

4
Cutting and Cementing PVC
Tubing and Fittings
Measuring: When sizing a length
of tube, measurements should be
taken from the base of the pipe-
stop on the inside of the fitting. As
each section of tubing is cut, it
should be dry fitted before the next
measurement is taken.
Cutting: The tubing should be cut
as straight and square as possible.
A miter box should be used if
available. All rough edges must be
removed with a utility knife or
coarse sand paper.
Dry Fitting: Once all the pieces
are cut they should be dry fitted to
check for correct fit. The markings
on the fittings can be utilized to
assure proper alignment.
Gluing: PVC solvent cement
actually welds the fitting to the
tubing. A chemical reaction perma-
nently joins the molecules from
each surface to produce an
airtight seal.
Before cementing, both the
tubing and the fitting must be
free of PVC burrs, dirt and
grime. The components should
be wiped with a clean cloth if
necessary. Cement should be
applied to the tubing only as
cement applied to the fitting will
be pushed ahead and create a
rough bead on the inside of the
fitting. This bead will reduce
airflow and could cause a clog.
The tubing should be inserted all
the way into the fitting and
twisted a quarter turn to evenly
distribute the cement. All excess
cement should be removed with
a rag. The glue should be al-
lowed several hours to set
before the vacuum system is
used.
Low Voltage Wire
One of the greatest benefits of central vacuum
systems is that the power unit is turned on and
off automatically. Every power unit has an on/off
switch that is activated by completing a circuit
at the inlet valves. Simply inserting the hose in
the inlet valve turns on the power unit.
To facilitate this, low voltage wire must follow
the tubing system. At the junction of a branch
line and the trunk line the wires can be spliced
together as demonstrated in the figure.
There must be an uninterrupted route from each
inlet valve to the power unit. The wire should be
attached to the tubing with the wire ties at least
every four feet.
On MD AirForce there is no need for a low
voltage wire. CENTRALVACUUM.COM M.D. MANUFACTURING CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS

5
INSTALLATION
In a Partition Wall
You can use basic low voltage valve backing
plates or electric valves (Canplas ElectraValve
which has romex and backing plate).
Determine the desired location of the inlet valve
and locate the point directly below the center of
the proposed loca-
tion. Holding the drill
vertical and as close
to the wall as pos-
sible drill a small pilot
hole through the floor
and sub floor. The
straight section of a
wire coat hanger cut
at an angle makes a
good pilot hole drill
bit. (Be careful not to
snag carpeting.)
Locate this pilot hole from beneath and measure
over approximately 2 1/4 (1/2 for drywall + 1 3/4
to center of the sole plate, that is the base of the
wall) adding extra for the thickness of any
baseboards. Using a 2 1/2 hole cutter, drill up-
wards through the flooring and the sole plate. Us-
ing a flashlight inspect the interior of the wall to
make sure
there are
no ob-
structions.
Alterna-
tively a
piece of
tubing can
be used to
probe for
obstruc-
tions.
Having determined the location is suitable cut a
2 1/2 X 4 3/8 hole in the wall at the desired inlet
valve location. Remove the side portion of the
mounting plate by cutting off the plastic with side
cutters. Tape low voltage wire to the end of a
sufficiently long piece of tubing and pass it up
from beneath. If the trunk line