The Balston part number format is easier than most. Balston SKUs are typically short and sweet. The first step is to confirm your filter grade, then find the correct filter size.

Balston filter elements are widely used in compressed air systems, and many customers look for equivalent replacements when sourcing aftermarket options or comparing availability. While part numbers differ between manufacturers, many elements follow consistent size and filtration patterns.

How the Balston Part Number Format Works

Most Balston elements follow a simple structure:

Series – Length – Grade

• 100 → housing size / flow range
• 12 → element length
• BX → filtration grade

Example: 100-12-BX

The grade is the most important part when identifying a replacement.

Balston Filter Grades Explained

Important: Balston SA filters are not activated carbon elements. They are ultra-high efficiency coalescing filters designed for extremely fine aerosol removal. Activated carbon elements are a separate product line, typically identified by CI-series part numbers.

How These Filters Are Used Together

Balston systems are typically installed in stages:

• DX → coarse coalescing
• BX → high efficiency coalescing
• SA → ultra-high efficiency (if required)

For oil vapor removal, a separate activated carbon element is required as a final filtration stage.

How the Parker Finite Part Number Format Works

Most Finite element numbers in this guide follow a format like Grade - Series - Size - Length - Pack Quantity.

Example: 6H10-025X1

• 6 = filter grade
• H = H-series element style
• 10 = housing size / series
• 025 = element length code
• X1 = sold as 1 element per box

So a Parker Finite part number like 6H10-025X1 tells you the filtration grade, the element style, the housing size, the element length code, and how many elements are included per box. We do not require you to buy 10 filters at a time, so you will only see X1 (or no quantity designation) when buying from Filter Element Store.

Parker Finite examples in this cross reference

• 6H10-025X1 = Grade 6, H-series, size 10, length 025, quantity 1
• 10H10-025X1 = Grade 10, H-series, size 10, length 025, quantity 1
• 6H20-090X1 = Grade 6, H-series, size 20, length 090, quantity 1
• 10H20-187X1 = Grade 10, H-series, size 20, length 187, quantity 1

Note: Finite uses other element styles in some product families, but the cross references in this guide are based on the common H-series format shown above.

These cross references are commonly used to match Balston elements to Parker Finite equivalents based on size and filtration class.

Note: Cross references are based on size and filtration class. Performance may vary slightly by manufacturer.

Related Guide

For a full comparison of filter grades across brands, see our Coalescing Filter Cross Reference Guide.

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