It is this motor which takes the electrical power from the power source and converts it into mechanical power in the form of suction with air flow. Rating the motor for its ability to produce suction with air flow is one of the most misrepresented and misunderstood aspects of vacuum cleaner technology. This confusion has been accentuated by many manufacturers in their attempt to make their products appear superior to others. Various methods of rating the suction motor's performance are discussed in the article on the Power of the Suction Motor. This article will focus more on the physical aspects and attributes of the suction motor.
Some technical terms associated with the suction motor include universal, series and brush type.
Typically they are designed for best performance with AC at the normal household voltage. This type of motor consists of a rotating armature and a stationary field. The armature is made of a laminated iron core which is wound with copper enamel-insulated wire. The windings are attached to a copper commutator near one end of the armature. The commutator has individual bars of copper which are positioned in the shape of a drum.