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Your home’s water may contain sediment, dirt, and other such contaminants, especially if you rely on well water. A sediment filtration system can remove these contaminants effectively.
However, you might not know which type of system is ideal for your needs. For example, perhaps you’ve heard of spin-down filters and sediment filter cartridges. You may be wondering what the difference is between the two.
Keep reading if so. This overview will explain what a spin-down filter does, what a sediment filter cartridge does, and what makes them different.
Spin-down filters remove sand and other larger floating particles. They come first in any water treatment setup.
Sediment filter cartridges can remove larger to smaller floating particles, depending on their micron rating.
Spin-Down Filter vs Sediment Filter Cartridges – What’s the Difference?
Both spin-down filters and sediment filter cartridges are used to protect your plumbing system and water-using appliances from wear and tear caused by sediment and other dirt that may be lurking in your water supply. However, they are completely different in regards to the way they work:
A spin-down filter spins the water as it flows into the unit. Large floating particles like sand are caught by a filter mesh and sink to the bottom of the filter body where they remain until flushed out.
A sediment filter cartridge is housed in a filter housing. Unfiltered water enters the housing, is pushed through the filter cartridge where sediments are being trapped, and leaves the filter housing via the outlet port.
Another primary difference between a spin-down filter and a sediment filter cartridge is micron ratings. This refers to the size of particles a filter is designed to trap.
The filter mesh of a spin-down filter has a much larger micron rating than that of a cartridge-based sediment filter. Its micron rating will typically range from about 50 to 1,000 micron. A spin-down filter is thus ideal for water with relatively large particles, a lot of debris, or both.
The larger micron rating of a spin-down filter’s mesh also ensures that it won’t clog easily. Also, a valve at the bottom of the unit allows for easy flushing. Spin-down filters essentially “come first” in a water treatment setup (even before other sediment filters) to remove sand, rust chips, etc.
Sediment filter cartridges come in a variety of types. The size of the particles a sediment filter cartridge will remove can vary depending on its micron rating.
The largest common micron rating of sediment filter cartridges is 100. This allows for the removal of coarse dirt, although sediment filter cartridges aren’t necessarily comparable to spin-down filters in that regard.
The smallest micron ratings range from 5 to 1. Obviously, cartridges with smaller micron ratings can remove finer particles from your water.
And finally, unlike spin-down filters, sediment filter cartridges need to be replaced from time to time as they start to clog.
What Does a Spin-Down Filter Do?
The exact way a spin-down filter works can depend somewhat on the model you purchase. Generally, though, when sediment-filled water enters a spin-down filter, it swirls in a chamber where centrifugal force directs large particles outwards, where a mesh captures them.
Again, once a spin-down filter becomes clogged, flushing it is as easy as opening a valve to release the trapped sediments. Some spin-down filters even have auto-flush features.
Spin-down filters can also handle water pressure of up to 150 psi. That means a drop in flow rate is unlikely. However, the maximum water pressure a spin-down filter can accommodate varies across different models. So consider checking this before making a purchase.
What Does a Sediment Filter Cartridge Do?
There are different types of sediment filter cartridges available to homeowners. Options include spun, melt-blown, string-wound, and pleated cartridge filters.
The exact mechanism of each is slightly unique. What they all have in common is that they trap particles that may be suspended in your home’s water. By keeping them out of your water system, they protect your plumbing and water-using devices.
It’s also important to understand that sediment filters in general can only trap particles which are not dissolved in your water. They can’t prevent chemicals, heavy metals, and other such materials from remaining in your water. This is one of many reasons homeowners often choose to combine sediment filters with other water treatment equipment. It’s worth noting that a sediment filter can protect this equipment and prolong its lifespan.
There’s no universal answer to the question of whether you should purchase a spin-down filter or a sediment filter that uses cartridges. You need to account for factors such as the quality of your water and the different types and sizes of sediments/particles in it to determine which is best for your needs.
An expert can always answer your specific questions about this topic to help you make the right selection for your home.
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to install filtration systems that include both spin-down and cartridge-based filters. A spin-down filter can remove the very large particles that may be in your water. The smaller particles that a spin-down filter doesn’t catch will then be caught by your sediment filter cartridge.
Spin-Down Filters and Sediment Filter Cartridges Each Play Important Roles
One of the main points to take away from this overview is that neither spin-down filters nor sediment filter cartridges are “superior”. Both have valuable uses.
If you have any questions about spin-down vs cartridge-based sediment filters please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Gene Fitzgerald is one of the founders of BOS and currently head of content creation. She has 8+ years of experience as a water treatment specialist under her belt making her our senior scientist. Outside of BOS, Gene loves reading books on philosophy & social issues, making music, and hiking.
Learn more about Gene and the rest of the BOS Team.
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John says
July 14, 2023
Most of the information I find while trying to compare spin-down vs replaceable filter cartridges all fail to mention the actual low-flow (and relatively low pressure from a well pump) in the average home with current flow-restricted fixtures. Except for the unrestricted flow into a clothes washer, you’ll never see the “fire hose” type of flow.
That said, if employing a spin-down, how much water must flow in order to get the centrifugal force they seem to rely on for “throwing” out the contaminants?
If I opt for a 50-micron spin-down and my outflow is only feeding my bathroom sink for brushing my teeth or gathering a glass of water — am I relying on the centrifugal force of the water flow — or only the 50-micron filtering capabilities of the mesh screen.
Wouldn’t I be better served by installing some type of 10×4.5 replaceable filter with much more surface area than that provided in any of the spin-down devices?
If I continue to clog the spin-down screen, I’ll be continuously flushing the spin-down, and possibly cleaning the screen by further disassembly as well.
Certainly open to other’s thoughts, but this whole thing started with me wondering about comparing the initial pressure loss between these two types of filters, and it all progressed from there.
Hi John,
About “how much water must flow in order to get the centrifugal force” – I don’t know the answer to that question, sorry. It’s probably best if you reach out to one of the companies directly.
A spin-down filter is mostly used to remove the really big chunks of dirt out of well water, dirt that would clog a filter cartridge in no time.
