How do I identify what filter cartridge I have in my water filter?
In this article we will do our best help you identify what type of cartridge you currently have.
The following steps will provide the required information to determine what filter cartridge you have.
#1 – Measure the three key filter cartridge dimensions:
- Overall Length (L)
- Outside Diameter (O.D.)
- Hole / Inside Diameter (I.D.)
#2 – Verify the top end connection from the diagram below, there are eleven end types (A to Z):
NOTE: Boshart only carries the “A” Open End Type.
#3 – Verify the bottom end connection. Again, Boshart only carries the “A” Open End Type.
This article may be helpful.
NOTE: The GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) cartridges appear to be closed end on the bottom as the center is closed and the water enters through openings in the bottom end.
#4 – If you have type “A” on both ends, these are called Double Open End (DOE) and it is a “universal cartridge" that fits the majority of filter housings on the market and we can move on to step number 5.
However, if your filter has type “A” on the top and type “B” on the bottom this is a Single Open End (SOE) Cartridge, or if you have any of the other end types this will be the end of the road. We will not have a replacement cartridge that is compatible with your type of filter housing. You will need to source the replacement from the manufacturer of the filter housing.
#5 – Check the core to see if it is plastic or metal. String wound and pleated cartridges will have an inner support core, spun poly cartridges will not have a core. If the core is metal, it may be tin or stainless (see the high temperature string wound options in #6).
#6 – Now that we have determined that you have a Double Open End cartridge the next step is to determine the type of cartridge you have:
SEDIMENT FILTER CARTRIDGES
Spun Polypropylene Gradient Depth:
■ 14-SP1- xx Series - Standard 10" nominal size 2-1/2" x 10" (actual 2.48" x 9-7/8")
■ 14-SP2-xx Series - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-1/2" x 20" (actual 2.48" x 20”")
■ 14-GSP1-xx Series - Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4.488"x 9-7/8")
■ 14-GSP2-xx Series - Giant 20” Double Length nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4.488"x 20")
Pleated Polyester Cartridges:
■ 14-PPE1- xx Series - Standard 10" nominal size 2-3/4" x 10" (actual 2-3/4" x 9-3/4")
■ 14-PPE2-xx Series - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-3/4" x 20" ( actual 2-3/4" x 20")
■ 14-GPPE1-xx - Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4-1/2"x 9-3/4")
■ 14-GPPE2-xx – Giant 20” Double Length nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4-1/2"x 20")
String Wound “FDA” Polypropylene Cartridges - Poly Core:
■ 14-SWP1-xx Series - Standard 10" nominal size 2-1/2" x 10" (actual 2-3/8" x 10")
■ 14-SWP2-xx Series - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-1/2" x 20" (actual 2-3/8" x 20")
■ 14-GSWP1-xx Series – Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4-3/8" x 10")
■ 14-GSWP2-xx Series – Giant 20” Double Length nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4-3/8" x 20")
300°F High Temperature Bleached Cotton String Wound Cartridges - 304SS Core:
■ 14-SWBC1-xx Series - Standard 10" nominal size 2-1/2" x 10" (actual 2-3/8" x 10")
■ 14-SWBC2-xx Series - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-1/2" x 20" (actual 2-3/8" x 20")
■ 14-GSWBC1-xx Series – Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4-3/8" x 10")
■ 14-GSWBC2-xx Series – Giant 20” Double Length nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4-3/8" x 20")
300°F High Temperature String Wound Natural Cotton Cartridges - Tin Core:
■ 14-SWNC1-xx Series - Standard 10" nominal size 2-1/2" x 10" (actual 2-3/8" x 10")
■ 14-SWNC2-xx Series - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-1/2" x 20" (actual 2-3/8" x 20")
ACTIVATED CARBON TASTE & ODOR CARTRIDGES
Carbon Block (Briquette):
■ 14-CB478-05 – Compact 5" nominal size 2-1/2" x 4-7/8” (actual 2.78" x 4.90")
■ 14-CB1-xx Series - Standard 10" nominal size 2-1/2" x 10" (actual 2.78" x 9.84")
■ 14-CB2-xx Series - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-1/2" x 20" (actual 2.78" x 20")
■ 14-GCB1-xx Series – Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4-5/8" x 9.84")
■ 14-GCB2-xx Series – Giant 20” Double Length nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4-5/8" x 20")
Carbon Block (Briquette) Cyst Removal Cartridges:
■ 14-CCR1-xx Series - Standard 10" nominal size 2-3/4" x 10" (actual 2-7/8" x 9-3/4”)■ 14-CCR2-xx Series - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-3/4" x 20" (actual 2-7/8" x 20")
■ 14-GCCR1-xx Series – Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4-5/8" x 9-3/4")
■ 14-GCCR2-xx Series – Giant 20” Double Length nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4-5/8" x 20")
Granular Activated Carbon Cartridges:
■ 14-GAC1-05 - Standard 10" nominal size 2-3/4" x 10" (actual 2.99" x 9-3/4”)
■ 14-GAC2-05 - Standard 20” Double Length nominal size 2-3/4" x 20" (actual 2.99" x 20")
■ 14-GGAC1-05 – Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4.45" X 9.84")
■ 14-GGAC2-05– Giant 20” Double Length nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4.45" x 20")
Activated Carbon Wrap Cartridges:
■ 14-CW478-05 - Standard 5" nominal size 2-1/2" x 4-7/8" (actual 2.65" x 4-7/8”)
■ 14-CW1-05 - Standard 10" nominal size 2-1/2" x 10" (actual 2.65" x 9-3/4")
■ 14-CW2-05 - Standard 20" nominal size 2-1/2" x 20" (actual 2.60" x 20”)
■ 14-GCW1-05 - Giant 10" nominal size 4-1/2" x 10" (actual 4.65" x 9-3/4”)
■ 14-GCW2-05- Giant 20" nominal size 4-1/2" x 20" (actual 4-1/2" x 20”)
In-Line Activated Carbon Icemaker / Dispenser Cartridges:
■ 14-IM2.5X12-02 - 1/4" FPT Inlet and outlet connections
■ 14-IM2X10-02QC - 1/4" Quick Connect connections
■ 14-IM2X6-02QC - 1/4" Quick Connect connections
#7 – The final step (and what may be the hardest, or even impossible part to figure out) is the micron rating. This step may have you resorting to picking a micron rating that is suitable for your application without knowing what the micron rating was in the cartridge you are replacing.
#8 – When this is all figured out. PLEASE do yourself a huge favor and secure the filter cartridge label on the wall by your filter housing so that this hassle can be avoided the next time you need a filter cartridge replacement. It is a huge time saver for everyone throughout the supply chain! It is also a very nice gesture if you sell your home as it provides the new owner with the information they need! THANK YOU!
In the event that there is still question as to what filter cartridge you have, you can take some good photos of both the filter housing, that show the make or model, and the old filter cartridge beside a tape measure and send it to our sales department, and they will be better equipped to verify what you have.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://support.boshart.com/how-does-filtration-work
https://support.boshart.com/what-are-the-required-steps-to-properly-select-a-water-filter
https://support.boshart.com/how-often-should-i-replace-the-filter-bowl-on-my-sediment-filter
https://support.boshart.com/how-can-i-remove-a-water-filter-bowl-that-is-stuck
https://support.boshart.com/water-is-dripping-from-the-red-button-on-my-water-filter