Filters

Beta Ratios are expressions of data obtained by conducting specific multipass testing of oil and hydraulic filters. Major filter manufacturers do test their products to the established industry procedures as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This would include the ISO and SAE multipass tests for establishing a Beta Ratio.

WIX, like many other filter manufacturers, print these ratios on their most popular heavy duty oil and hydraulic spin on filters. Also, when published, an element's Beta Ratio is commonly available on the product detail page on the manufacturer's Web site.

For detailed information regarding these tests, I would recommend you download two Technical Service Bulletins from the Filter Manufacturer's Council website. The two bulletins are TSB 89-5R3 (http://www.filtercouncil.org/uploads/docs/TSB/English/89-5R3.pdf ) and TSB 04-2R1 (http://www.filtercouncil.org/uploads/docs/TSB/English/04-2R1.pdf).

It is important to remember, given only the Beta Ratio, one has only part of the information. In order to get a clear and meaningful picture of the Beta Ratio, the test parameters must also be known. Two of the most important parameters being the fluid circulation rate during the test and the differential pressure at which the test was completed (termination point). Without at least these two pieces of information, the Beta Ratio is incomplete.