How to Wire a Relay Switch on a Central Vacuum

The relay switch on a central vacuum controls which room in the house receives suction power for the vacuum attachment. Central vacuums operate with a system of pipes in the walls or through a baseboard in the house. The hand-held vacuum assembly can be moved from room to room and connected to the port in each area for cleaning one space at a time. The relay switch activates the motor and suction for the specific pipe to the room being vacuumed. Replacing the relay takes less than an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver set

Instructions

1. Turn off the electricity for the central vacuum at the circuit breaker or remove the fuse in the fuse box.

2. Remove the screws in the side or back panel on the central vacuum unit, using a screwdriver. The relay switch is a rectangular component inside connected near the motor.

3. Remove the screws in the mounting bracket that holds the relay switch in place. Pull the part forward gently with the wires still attached.

4. Set the new relay switch on the mounting bracket and secure the part with the screws.

5. Loosen the screw terminals on the old relay switch one at a time to detach each wire individually.

6. Connect each wire to its respective screw terminal on the new relay switch one at a time. Tighten the screws. This minimizes the risk of crossing wires to incorrect terminals.

7. Remove the old relay switch from the central vacuum unit.

8. Fasten the back panel with screws and the screwdriver.

9. Turn on the electricity for the central vacuum.

References

• Central Vacuum Stores: Central Vacuum Troubleshooting
• Central Vacuum Stores: Relay Board Assembly