The safety of household water is increasingly important. Pre-filters, as the first line of defense, rely on their core component—the cartridge—for effective filtration. This article delves into the types, characteristics, and selection criteria of pre-filter cartridges to help you choose the best "guardian" for your home's water quality. Imagine what would happen if impurities such as mud, rust, etc. directly entered the water heater, washing machine, or even the water purifier? At the very least, it would clog the pipes, and at the worst, it would damage the equipment and even affect the safety of the family's water use. Therefore, choosing an efficient and reliable pre-filter is crucial to ensure the safety of family water use.

I. What is a Pre-Filter Cartridge?

A pre-filter cartridge is the core component of a filtration device installed at the front end of a home's water inlet pipe. Its primary function is to filter out large particles such as sediment, rust, eggs, and larvae from tap water, thus protecting downstream water-using appliances. Currently, the most common materials for pre-filter cartridges are stainless steel mesh and plastic discs.

II. Differences Between Pre-Filters and Regular Filters

Regular filters typically use materials like PP cotton, activated carbon, and quartz sand, designed to remove residual chlorine, odors, and other impurities. As they lack backwashing capabilities, these cartridges are often disposable and require frequent replacement.

The pre-filter focuses on intercepting large particles of impurities. Its biggest feature is that it has a backwashing function. Regular backwashing can effectively remove impurities on the surface of the filter, extend the service life of the filter, and reduce maintenance costs. This design is not only environmentally friendly, but also more in line with the needs of long-term household use.

III. Cartridge Structure Characteristics

1. Stainless Steel Mesh:

   • Available in plain weave and twill weave.
   • Twill weave is more affordable but has irregular pore sizes and is prone to clogging.
   • Plain weave offers higher filtration accuracy and better anti-fouling properties, but is more expensive.

2. Plastic Discs:

   • Utilize micro-grooves on the discs to create filtration units.
   • Provide stable filtration accuracy and high dirt-holding capacity.

IV. Cartridge Material Characteristics

1. 304 Stainless Steel Mesh:

   • Cost-effective and corrosion-resistant, but limited anti-fouling capability.

2. 316L Stainless Steel Mesh:

   • Superior corrosion and rust resistance, longer lifespan, but higher cost.

3. Silver-Plated Stainless Steel Mesh:

   • Offers sterilization and bacteriostatic effects, suitable for areas with poor water quality.

4. Antibacterial Plastic Discs:

   • Incorporate antibacterial materials into the plastic for bacteriostatic effects.

V. Cartridge Filtration Accuracy

Common filtration accuracy metrics include:

1. Nominal Filtration Accuracy: The size of particles that can be removed at a certain percentage.
2. Absolute Filtration Accuracy: The diameter of the largest particle that can pass through the filter.
3. Filtration Ratio Defined Accuracy: The smallest particle size effectively captured by the cartridge.

Selection Recommendations

Water quality analysis:
Understand the local water quality, including sediment content, rust, microbial indicators, etc.
Choose the appropriate filter element material and filtration accuracy according to the water quality.

Backwash function:
The backwash function is the core advantage of the pre-filter element, which can effectively extend the service life of the filter element.
Choose a filter element with automatic backwash function, which is more convenient and worry-free.

Brand reputation:
Choose well-known brands and reliable products to ensure product quality and after-sales service.
Check product certification and user reviews to understand product performance and reputation.

Installation and maintenance:
The installation of the pre-filter element requires professional operation to ensure correct installation.
Perform backwashing and maintenance regularly to keep the filter element in good working condition.

Budget:
Choose the appropriate filter element type according to the budget. 304 is cost-effective and 316L is more durable.
Comprehensively consider the purchase cost and long-term use cost of the filter element.

VII. Installation and maintenance of filter element

The importance of professional installation:

The installation of the pre-filter element requires certain professional knowledge and skills. Incorrect installation may cause water leakage, water pressure drop and other problems.
It is recommended to select qualified professionals for installation to ensure the quality of installation.

Daily maintenance:
Regular backwashing: Backwashing is the key to the maintenance of the pre-filter element. It can effectively remove impurities on the surface of the filter element and extend the service life of the filter element.
Check the status of the filter element: Regularly check whether the filter element is damaged, blocked, etc., and replace or clean it in time.
Cleaning frequency: The frequency of backwashing needs to be adjusted according to the local water quality and household water consumption. Families with poor water quality or high water consumption need to increase the frequency of backwashing.

Replacement cycle:
Although the pre-filter element has a backwashing function, the filter element also has a certain service life.
According to the filter element material and usage, replace the filter element regularly to ensure the filtering effect.

VIII. Precautions when purchasing

Flow rate:
The flow rate of the pre-filter element determines its water supply capacity.
Choose a filter element with appropriate flow rate to avoid problems such as water pressure drop.
The flow rate needs to be selected according to the number of water points in the family and the water use habits. Families with large water consumption need to choose a filter element with a large flow rate.

Pressure resistance:

The pre-filter element needs to withstand a certain amount of water pressure, so pressure resistance is an important factor to consider when purchasing.
Choose a filter element with strong pressure resistance to avoid safety hazards such as bursting.

Brand and after-sales service:
Choose well-known brands and reliable products to ensure product quality and after-sales service.
Understand the product's warranty policy and after-sales service content, and choose a guaranteed product.

Filter bottle material:
The filter bottle is the outer shell that wraps the filter element. It needs sufficient strength. It is recommended to choose lead-free copper or other food-grade safe materials.

IX. Additional functions

Automatic backwashing:
The automatic backwashing function can automatically backwash without manual operation, which is convenient and worry-free.
Choose a filter element with automatic backwashing function to improve the convenience of use.

Water pressure monitoring:
Some pre-filter elements have a water pressure monitoring function, which can monitor the water pressure in real time and detect problems in time.

Frank CHENG

WhatsApp: +86 15374233762

Email: srt2@parshun.com

#Pre-Filter

#Cartridge

#Stainless Steel Mesh

#Disc Filter Cartridge

#Filtration Accuracy

#Home Water Purification

#Water Quality Safety

#Water Purification Equipment

#Cartridge Selection

#Tap Water Filtration