10" woven PP fibre cartridge 5 microns NSF Aquapro, ref. PR-PPS-10-5

10" woven PP fibre cartridge, 5 microns

Mechanical pre-filtration cartridge in 10" format, polypropylene woven fibre media, filtration threshold 5 microns.

Aquapro reference PR-PPS-10-5.

5 microns: the reference threshold

5 microns is the most widely used pre-filtration threshold on mains water. It retains sand, silt, rust particles and pipeline residues, including semi-fine material, without clogging within a few weeks.

It is also the threshold recommended upstream of sensitive stages: most reverse osmosis membrane and carbon cartridge manufacturers recommend pre-filtration at this level.

Positioning within the PPS range:

• 20 microns: head of line, heavily loaded water, well water
• 10 microns: versatile
• 5 microns: standard pre-filtration, before carbon or reverse osmosis
• 1 micron: polishing, as second stage

The threshold that protects the membrane

This is where 5 microns stands out from more open thresholds. A reverse osmosis membrane is the most costly component of an RO unit, and fine particles reaching it foul and scratch it.

A 20 microns allows through what the membrane cannot accept. A 5 microns upstream is the minimum on a reverse osmosis installation, and it is doubled by a more open pre-filter if the water is heavily loaded.

Same logic for a block carbon: its inlet face clogs with fines, and flow rate drops before the media becomes saturated.

Woven fibre

The media consists of a polypropylene filament wound and woven around a central core. The mesh retains particles on the surface and throughout the thickness, providing depth retention and good dirt-holding capacity before clogging.

Polypropylene is inert, with no leachable binder, and compatible with cold drinking water.

Replacement

Replace at flow loss, not on schedule.

• clean mains water: 6 months indicative
• heavily loaded water or after works: 2 to 3 months, sometimes less
• upstream of a reverse osmosis unit: do not exceed the service interval

A transparent filter housing allows visual inspection: cartridge browning signals replacement before pressure drop.

Installation

Insert in the direction of flow, check the presence and condition of the housing O-ring, tighten with a wrench without forcing and purge air before returning to service.

An isolation valve upstream avoids a general shut-off at each cartridge change.