Dust collector systems are used to maintain a clean and safe working environment in a work area. There are many types of dust collectors, from a simple [Shop-Vac] attached to a power tool, all the way up to a multi-horsepower system with HEPA air filters.

A dust collector is usually set up with flexible [mylar] or rigid metal [ductwork] leading from the unit to any equipment that may generate dust or chips, such as a [power saw], [lathe], or [sander]. At each piece of equipment is a [blast gate] which can be opened to route airflow through the work area and into the collector. The blast gate usually also contains a switch to activate the dust collector's [blower]. The collector itself is a fairly simple device; incoming air is swirled in a [cyclonic] chamber, allowing [sawdust] and chips to fall down into a collection area. Fine dust is removed from the air stream by a filter or cloth bag before being discharged.

Dust collectors used with [explosive], [flammable], or hazardous dusts and mists are a lot more elaborate, usually being equipped with [HEPA], [electrostatic filter|electrostatic], or [carbon filter]s.

dust collector (thing)