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A filter must be able to maintain fluid cleanliness to the point that contamination is not a factor in the
degradation or failure of critical machine components. The Multipass Filter Performance Test, ISO
4572, is the most recognized standard for rating the ability of a filter to efficiently control contamination.
The test circulates contamination that has been introduced into the reservoir through the test filter.
Contaminant not captured by the filter is allowed to pass through the filter element again -- ³multipass´.
The results of this test are reported as the ratio of the number of particles greater than a designated
size upstream of the test filter to the number of particles greater than the same size downstream of the
test filter. This rating is the O
  or   
F£ .
The Beta ratio, Fx, has earned acceptance over both the nominal filter rating and the absolute filter
ratings methods of the past. The  
rating is an arbitrary micrometer value indicated by the filter
manufacturer, based on weight percent removal and is not reproducible. The  
 rating is the
diameter of the largest hard spherical particle that will pass through a filter under specified test
conditions. This rating is an indication of the largest opening in the filter element.
F£   O    
   £  
Q
 O    
   £  
Q

  


F º
 º

   

  


   
  

F º
 º

   

÷       
 O    O
 O OO  
The Beta ratio, Fx, is a measure of a filter¶s ability to remove particles greater than a specified size. A
Beta ratio, Fx = 2, removes 100 of 200 specified size particles and is therefore only 50% effective. A
Beta ratio, Fx = 100, removes 199 of 200 specified size particles and is therefore 99% effective. The
chart below shows the correlation between Beta ratios and efficiencies.
      
F£  O
 OO   
 
 Q  
  Q    
  
 
   
    


200 200 F3 = 200 / 200 = 1 (0 / 200) X 100 = 0%

200 100 F3 = 200 / 100 = 2 (100 / 200) X 100 = 50%
200 50 F3 = 200 / 50 = 4 (150 / 200) X 100 = 75%
200 25 F3 = 200 / 25 = 8 (175 / 200) X 100 = 87.5%
200 10 F3 = 200 / 10 = 20 (190 / 200) X 100 = 95%
200 5 F3 = 200 / 5 = 40 (195 / 200) X 100 = 97.5%
200 2 F3 = 200 / 2 = 100 (198 / 200) X 100 = 99 %
200 1 F3 = 200 / 1 = 200 (199 / 200) X 100 = 99.5%