Equipment
It’s Electric
Advances in technology have greatly widened the selection of electric clippers available to groomers today.

By Michelle Austin

Ask any groomer which tool gets the most use and abuse in their shop and they will tell you it is their electric clipper. Unlike an electric clipper used in a barber shop, a pet clipper in a busy grooming shop will have many hours of hard runtime each day. Understanding how this workhorse of the shop works will help in selecting the correct clipper and making sure you get the most out of it.

For years, the choices were pretty simple–single speed, two speed or variable speed. Now there are turbo speeds and super speeds, corded and cordless, and even clippers with LED lights. Despite all this innovation and choice, the basic motor technology has remained nearly the same since the electric clipper was introduced in the early 1900s.

The first electric clippers on the market used AC or universal rotary motors. Most clippers on the market today still use this type of motor or a permanent magnetic rotary motor. What is the difference? A universal motor must be magnetized electronically, while a permanent magnetic rotary motor is pre-magnetized. What does that mean to groomers? The process of electronically creating magnetism generates heat. To dissipate the heat, a fan and air vent is required. This helps keep the clipper cooler, but can increase noise, add weight and blow hair and dust. A permanent magnetic rotary does not require a fan or air vents and is generally lighter and cooler.

Another difference groomers notice between the two types of motors is noise. The armature which conducts the current to the blade drive, lever or swing arm turns slower in a permanent magnet rotary motor, which results in a slightly quieter motor. Most users agree, however, that this type of motor is not as powerful.

The difference between the two types of motors also affects how they are repaired. The armature in the magnet motor does not require lubrication or regular maintenance, but it is sealed inside the motor, making it more difficult to repair or replace. It is generally recommended that a qualified technician handle the repair or replacement. In universal rotary motor clippers, the armature requires occasional lubrication and maintenance, but it can be accessed and oiled or replaced as needed. Both types have motor brushes. Brushes tend to last longer in the permanent magnet rotary motor, due to the fact that the armature turns slower.

So, which type of motor is better? That is mostly a matter of preference, the job a groomer is trying to perform and what a groomer is used to. Each type offers different pros and cons, and there are groomers who swear by each. Most manufacturers make clippers with both types of motors. When choosing between the two types of clipper motors, consider the importance of heat, power, weight and repair-ability.

Need for Speed
Regardless of the motor type used, clipper companies market their strokes per minute (SMP), with the perception being that the higher the number, the better the clipper will perform. Having a clipper that is faster can certainly save a groomer time and effort, but speed creates its own challenges. The higher the SPM, the quicker the clipper and blades heat up.

Higher SPM also shortens the life of wear parts. Wear parts are the moving parts in the clipper that experience normal wear with use and will need to be replaced during the life of the clipper. These parts include carbon brushes, blade drives, levers, and swing arms. The faster these parts are made to move, the higher the SPM and the quicker they will experience wear.

Just like cars, faster clippers require more experienced drivers. A faster clipper will not save time if it is more difficult to use. Many groomers find that they still do most of their work on a lower speed setting. Also, speed does not automatically translate to power. Faster SPM will not be an advantage if the clipper does not have the torque needed to go through the hair.

Style & Function
In addition to making clippers faster, manufacturers are working to make clippers lighter, more ergonomic, and more fashionable and versatile. Groomers today have multiple options available in housing shapes and materials, colors, and cord/cordless features.

What are some innovations we can expect to see in the future? Battery technology continues to improve–batteries now weigh less, stay charged longer, cost less and are more powerful than they have been in the past. Manufacturers continue to work on this technology with the hopes of having a cordless clipper that will rival the traditional corded clipper in power and price.

Helen Cox, marketing manager for Wahl Clipper Corporation, says that Wahl is working to develop clippers that are lighter, quieter and have less vibration. Wahl agrees that higher clipper speeds do not necessarily offer groomers the power they need to get through the toughest coats. Wahl is developing improved “stiff stall torque” technology to improve power and functionality on tough grooming jobs. Cox says we can also expect to see all manufacturers paying more attention to trends and working to make clippers more colorful and stylish, as well as more durable and technologically advanced. GB

Michelle Austin has been Project Manager for Ryan’s Pet Supplies since 2001. Ryan’s Pet Supplies manufactures, imports, and distributes professional pet care products. Michelle is involved in most aspects of the business. She participates in new product selection and development, catalog production, as well as managing marketing and communications for the company. She is assisted by her Lhasa Apso Bob who models for the catalog and specializes in test marketing treats and toys.