Wow, this is a tough one to answer easily and I hope as you have requirements for systems we can look at each as a unique project. BaseVac engineers have a secret formula they use in sizing a system. The problem is it’s secret. Here are the criteria for evaluation.
- How may operatories?
- How many users?
- How many HVE and saliva ejectors?
- Is it a teaching lab or large practice?
- What type of dentistry is done?
I have seen a room full of 2hp pumps to make a large system. I have also seen one large pump. The correct solution should follow a very in depth evaluation of what is required as far as dental suction. The American NFPA (national Fire Protection Agency) has specifications for hospital medical piping and compressed air and vacuum systems. They do not specify how to size a dental suction system but they do have excellent guidelines on how to build the system and the piping. At BaseVac our Engineers build NFPA Systems if required. We also have dry suction pumps up to 25’’Hp each to allow us to customize a system unique to each application.
It is important to incorporate a PLC (computer control) pump control panel to tell the system how many pumps are required. In the year 2007 variable frequency electronic drives became affordable to use in custom pump systems. The BaseVac dry pumps can change their speed from 25 Hz to 60 Hz or 600 to 1750 rpm. This allows us to optimize flow, velocity and vacuum without wasting energy and creating excessive heat.
So is there a best system? Yes, we like to think it’s one of ours but which one of ours is really unique to the application and available budget. I do know a room full of 2hp pumps or a large single pump would not be the best choice in a custom system.