Vacuum cleaner series universal motor triac control board

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the operation and control of a universal series motor in a vacuum cleaner, specifically focusing on the implications of removing a TRIAC control board that regulates the motor's RPM and suction power. Participants explore the effects of this removal on motor performance, overheating issues, and potential faults in the motor itself.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the TRIAC PCB's role in controlling the motor's RPM and expresses confusion about overheating after removing the board.
  • Another participant suggests that the TRIAC control may chop varying amounts of the leading edge of the sine wave, which could explain the motor's overheating if it was not designed for full power operation.
  • A question is raised regarding the local AC supply voltage and whether the unit can switch between 120Vac and 240Vac.
  • A later reply indicates that a replacement controller and a different motor were found, but the original motor still exhibited overheating and fluctuating RPMs, suggesting possible damage to the windings.
  • Participants discuss the rated voltage of the motors, confirming they are designed for 230 VAC, and clarify that the mains voltage is currently 230 VAC.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the cause of the overheating and the implications of removing the TRIAC control board. There is no consensus on whether the motor was designed to operate without the control board or if it sustained damage due to its removal.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the specific design of the motor and controller combination, as well as the potential for mechanical damage to the motor windings. The discussion also lacks clarity on the troubleshooting steps taken regarding the original PCB.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in vacuum cleaner motor control, electrical engineering, and troubleshooting of household appliances may find this discussion relevant.

FusionJim
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Long story short, I got a vacuum cleaner with a standard universal series motor inside. It also had the TRIAC pcb with a potentiometer and a triac/thyristor to control the RPM which allowed to control the suction power. Some moisture got on the pcb and it shorted. I simply took it out since I run the cleaner at max setting anyway thinking that at max setting the motor receives the mains voltage anyway. I think I was wrong because now the motor tends to overheat shortly after running. Can anyone explain how the triac board controls the universal series motor? Because judging from sound alone, the motor spins at roughly the same RPM as before yet now it overheats quickly. How do these board alter the sine wave applied to the motor to keep it cool yet running fast?
 
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They chop out varying amounts of the leading edge of the sine wave. Perhaps your speed controller/motor combo was never designed to pass full power, or there’s a separate fault in the motor. Have you tried troubleshooting the PCB? They’re pretty simple. Some makes, like my Henry, will supply replacement controllers.

1750808668338.webp
 
FusionJim said:
I simply took it out since I run the cleaner at max setting anyway thinking that at max setting the motor receives the mains voltage anyway.
What is your local AC supply voltage ?

Can you switch the unit between 120Vac and 240Vac ?
 
@ Guineafowl I found a replacement controller, and a different motor that has roughly the same size. now it works it seems. This motor that I had previously, I believe the windings either in stator or rotor armature had shorted because even with the new added controller it still heated up fast, the RPM were fluctuating and it started to smell like windings when they get too hot.
Either the windings got some mechanical damage when I was moving the motor, or more likely running the motor without the control board caused it to overheat and a fault in insulation formed. There aren't many other options in a simple system like this.

@Baluncore, the motors are all 230 VAC (more precisely 220-240 VAC) rated. The vacuum never had any switch it was made to run on 230. My mains voltage is 230 VAC, was 220 earlier but now we have 230
 

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