Baldwin Filter Tech Tips - Part 1

In order to help us all understand the different characteristics of filters, regardless of the brand, Baldwin Filters have created a series of Tech Tips.

With over 75 years in the filtration industry, Baldwin Filters recongises that there is specific terminology we all use to communication different aspects related back to filters, filter maintenance and performance, filter components etc.

Filter Cartridge or Element
Filter media that may be, and usually is, cylindrical and is disposed of when it reaches a set limit or restriction as it removes contaminant and holds it. Cartridges may be of pleated paper, pleated wire screen, fibre packed or wound in a core or fibrous board material cut into discs and stacked atop each other to form a cylinder.

Spin On Filter
A filter that typically includes a cartridge or element contained within a threaded canister assembly, which allows the filter to be attached to and removed from the filter adapter (adapter base).

Filter Adapter (Adapter Base)
A cast or machined device used to hold a filter in a position and to introduce oil into the filter. An adapter is used with spin on filters as well as with shell type filters. It includes a gasket sealing groove or surface, inlet and outlet ports and either a stud bolt or a threaded hole for attachment of the filter.

Filter Housings
Containers designed to hold filter cartridges and to direct the flow so that contaminants are permanently removed from the flow stream.

By-Pass Filter
A filter that is designed to accept a small percentage (10%) of the fluid in a lubrication system and pass it through a very restrictive media or centrifugal particulate separation. Typically, the fluid is sent to the by-pass filter and then directly back to the sump or crankcase. The fluid is said to have been “scrubbed” due to the restrictive small particle separation that occurs.

Full-Flow Filter
All of the oil that goes through this filter moves on to lubricate the engine. This filter removes the larger particles of contaminant that may be harmful to the engine from the oil. All oil is cleaned when a full-flow filter is used.