The Power Nozzle Evolves -
Stand Up and Be Counted!

The PN1 Power Nozzle design reigns supreme for over a decade with little change to the nozzle itself, save a color change.

According to my sources, it isn't until 1972 that a new design gets introduced, the PN2. The new design is a complete change in styling, replacing the plastic top with a shiny metal one.

The new, boxy shape better matched the then current design trend for Electrolux's line of vacs throughout the 1970's, from the last version of the 1205 when it debuts through the Golden J.

Of course, the major change is that it is Electrolux's first power nozzle that can stand up on its own. As mentioned previously, just about all canister vacuum floor accessories were leaned against a wall or chair (or dropped to the floor) while you vacuumed above-floor surfaces. This might've been because no one ever thought of doing anything else.

This change was well welcomed and made cleaning easier and perhaps a bit quicker, with less bending and stooping, giving us more time for our new favorite pastime: exercising.


The PN2

Above is my Model G with a PN2 attached to it. While the PN2 isn't original equipment for the Model G, I must say that its polished metal hood makes it a very nice addition to the G's design and style.




To make the PN2 stand up, the designers moved the elbow in toward the center of the nozzle and allowed it to lean forward a little bit so it wouldn't easily tip back. There's no latch or spring, just gravity.

And speaking of gravity, The PN2 is much heavier than the PN1. The polished metal hood may have been chosen over a plastic hood to help stabilize the whole assembly.

In making the nozzle's wand able to stand up and lay completely down to get under furniture - a big selling point over uprights - the elbow needed to be redesigned to allow airflow when it was in the up position.


The inside opening of the elbow, facing the brush roll, has been enlarged and allows a gap to open up when the wand is completely raised. The suction, however, is practically cut off from the brush roll as the top part of the elbow shuts it off.

This elbow design would later be patented as a self cleaning elbow for a vacuum cleaner, as someone must have noticed that standing the wand up helped clear out blockages of heavier objects.


Two other features of this new design stand out from the previous PN1:

First is a new set of rollers placed on the forward side of the nozzle, just behind the brush roll. The previous power nozzle only had one roller in the back, which confined the unit to carpets and rugs. The additional rollers allow the nozzle to roll nicely across bare floors without the underside scratching the surface.


The second noticeable feature is the plug-in power cord. This may have been added as a safety feature as there is no way to remove the cover without first removing the plug. All previous power nozzles could have their covers removed without unplugging them from the wand.



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