Application Study: Basic Vacuum Cleaner Teardown

Basic Vacuum Cleaner Teardown (Akira 1600W Vacuum Cleaner)

• Vacuum cleaner basically is a very simple and straight forward application with a motor to do the suction.
• I received a malfunction Akira 1600W vacuum cleaner yesterday. Immediately, I did a complete teardown to study on it for the 1st time.

Teardown Observation:

• Power supply from power plug to motor no abnormality (use test pen to check)
• Soft Start PCB Board (Speed-Control) looks normal
• ON/OFF switch working normally (use test pen to check)
• Suspect motor (YDC04-14 1400W by Ningbo DeChang) malfunction, burnt marks found inside the motor with burning smell

Test the AC Motor with Multimeter:

• Ensure the multimeter is in the OHM setting. Next, touch probes to the two motor terminals. 
• An infinite multimeter reading indicates an open circuit, meaning the motor is faulty. 
• A zero reading signifies a short circuit and the motor is faulty.
• If the multimeter reading falls between zero and infinite, your fan motor is working properly.

Findings: 

• The motor is having open circuit; thus, it is broken. (use multimeter to test)

Example of Motor Wiring Diagram:

• Only 2 wires connection (Live & Neutral), no GND wiring.
• Consists of an ON/OFF switch, Soft Start Board (Speed-Control), and a motor (AC 240V)
• Temperature sensor might be built-in inside the motor.

Tools:

• Test Pen, Multimeter, Screwdriver

Notes:

• Akira Vacuum Cleaner clearly stated 1600W on its surface, but it is using a 1400W motor?
• New OEM motor (1400W) is about MYR$60 to MYR$80, and a new vacuum cleaner is only slightly above MYR$100. Thus, it is not worth to change the motor, I recommended just buy a new set of vacuum cleaner.