It is possible to divide a central vacuum cleaning system into four main components:
- PVC-tubing
usually chased into wall and underground
- Inlet sockets
placed on the wall or on the floor
- Central vacuum cleaner
fixed to wall permanently
- Cleaning tools
available in kits or separately
To each inlet socket, ideally positioned inside all the inhabited rooms (including cellar, stairs, garage, terrace, etc.), you connect a light and flexible tube, through which you reach every corner of the house. On its final handle you apply a suitable brush, for every kind of surface to clean. These vacuum brushes are similar to those you apply on the traditional vacuum cleaners, but more sophisticated and much stronger, because you have a very increased vacuum power.
The tubing in polyvinyl chloride for domestic applications is piped in always with a diameter of 50 mm. The choice of the material is essential in order to assure a rapid air-current without hindrances inside the tube. Also the connection fittings must be absolutely airtight and cold-welded with the proper glue.
The central vacuum cleaning system is positioned in a secondary room and can be started in different ways:
- By the on/off switch on the handle of the flexible hose
- By introducing the flexible hose into the inlet socket
- By a built-in micro switch on the inlet socket
- By a remote control device
On/off switch on the handle

It is considered as the most comfortable and safest system to start the vacuum process.
Like the other electrical starting-circuits it makes use of low tension current and, as a consequence, it is absolutely harmless for people and animals.
Introduction of the flexible hose into the inlet socket
The handle of the flexible tube has a sheathing, which, introduced into the socket, closes the two contacts positioned inside of it. As a consequence, the central unit starts.
Remote control device
This alternative of starting by remote control device is advisable for special applications or in case it is not possible to apply one of the other solutions, because of the absence of electrical cables.