What are Microns?

Understanding Microns in Water Filters: What It Means and Why It Matters

When shopping for water filters, you may often encounter terms like "micron rating" or "micron size." For those unfamiliar with the concept, this term can seem technical and confusing. But understanding what a micron is and how it relates to water filtration is crucial for selecting the right filter for your needs.

In this blog, we'll break down what "micron" means in the context of water filters, how it affects filtration, and why it's an important factor in ensuring clean, safe water.

What Is a Micron?

A micron, also known as a micrometer, is a unit of measurement used to define the size of particles. One micron is equal to one-millionth of a meter (1 µm = 0.000001 meters). To put this in perspective:

• A strand of human hair is about 50-70 microns in diameter.
• A red blood cell is approximately 8 microns wide.
• The naked eye cannot see anything smaller than 40 microns.

In water filtration, the micron rating refers to the size of particles a filter can trap. The smaller the micron rating, the finer the filtration.

How Microns Relate to Water Filters

Water filters are designed to remove various impurities such as sediment, bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants. The micron rating of a filter determines the size of particles it can effectively remove from the water. Here's how it works:

• Large Micron Filters (5-100 microns): Filters with a higher micron rating (such as 50 or 100 microns) remove larger particles like sand, rust, or debris. These filters are often used as pre-filters to catch large sediments before the water goes through finer filtration.

• Medium Micron Filters (1-5 microns): Filters in the 1-5 micron range are effective at removing smaller particles like fine silt, dirt, and some microorganisms. Many household sediment filters fall into this category.

• Small Micron Filters (0.1-1 microns): These filters are designed to capture much smaller particles, such as bacteria, cysts, and some viruses. A filter with a micron rating below 1 is considered a "submicron" filter, offering a higher level of purification.

Types of Micron Ratings: Nominal vs. Absolute

When selecting a water filter, you’ll come across two types of micron ratings: nominal and absolute.

• Nominal Micron Rating: This indicates that the filter can trap a certain percentage of particles of a given size. For example, a filter with a nominal rating of 5 microns may remove about 80% of particles that are 5 microns in size or larger.

• Absolute Micron Rating: This provides a stricter filtration level, meaning the filter can remove 99.9% of particles at the stated micron size. An absolute 1-micron filter, for example, will reliably trap virtually all particles 1 micron or larger.

Nominal filters are typically more affordable and suitable for general use, while absolute filters are used when a higher level of water purity is required.

Why Micron Size Matters in Water Filtration

The micron rating of a filter plays a key role in determining its effectiveness and application. A lower micron rating means that the filter can remove smaller contaminants, but this also means that it may clog more easily if the water contains larger particles. On the other hand, a higher micron rating allows for faster water flow and less frequent clogging but may not remove smaller harmful substances.

When choosing the right water filter for your home or business, consider these factors:

1. Water Source: If you're filtering well water, you may need a filter that can remove large sediments (higher micron rating) in addition to smaller contaminants.

2. Target Contaminants: If you are concerned about removing specific contaminants like bacteria or viruses, you'll need a filter with a low micron rating, typically 1 micron or less.

3. Filtration System: Some systems, such as reverse osmosis, require filters with very small micron ratings to achieve high levels of purity, while others, like carbon block filters, balance micron size with chemical removal capabilities.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Micron Size for Your Water Filter

Understanding micron ratings is essential when choosing the right water filter for your needs. While smaller micron filters remove finer particles and provide better water purity, they may also reduce flow rate and require more maintenance. Larger micron filters are great for trapping larger sediments and maintaining a strong water flow but may not capture all harmful contaminants.

By knowing the type of contaminants in your water and the desired level of filtration, you can choose the correct micron rating to ensure your water is as clean and safe as possible.

For the best results, it's often recommended to use a multi-stage filtration system that combines filters with different micron ratings, ensuring thorough filtration from large sediments down to microscopic impurities.