8 Questions to Ask When Buying a Vacuum Pump
Vacuum pumps may be considered the workhorses of many laboratories. They are often used to drive aspiration or filtration of samples, to aid in solvent evaporation, to collect gas samples, and to create a negative pressure environment. Resilient coatings, improved motors, and different options for control offer improved functionality and reliability.
- What applications will the vacuum pump be used for?
- Is it possible to use a dry (oil-free) pump? Dry pumps eliminate the need for oil changes, thereby extending service intervals and reducing the cost of operation.
- Is manual, electronic two-point, or electronic adaptive control required for accuracy?
- What is the pumping capacity at the intended vacuum level?
- Is the pump made from corrosion-resistant materials?
- What safety features does it offer?
- Is it easy to use?
- What is the total cost of ownership, and what warranty options are there?
Survey DataMore than 90 percent of Lab Manager vacuum pump survey respondents agree that durability is the most important feature when purchasing a vacuum pump. |
| Durability
| 91% |
Reliability | 88% |
Low maintenance/operating costs | 74% |
Ease of cleaning | 56% |
Safety features | 55% |
Pumping speed/suction | 52% |
Price | 48% |
Noise reduction | 37% |
Service and support | 34% |
Warranty | 33% |
Available controls | 22% |
Purchasing TipChoosing the appropriate vacuum pump for the application is essential and prevents damage later on. Some applications require extremely deep vacuum (10-3 to 10-9 mbars) necessitating a diffusion pump, ion pump, or turbomolecular pump. For applications that require standard pressures from 200-10-3 mbars, rotary vane, dry scroll, and diaphragm pumps are good options. |
