HYDAC · Betamicron 4 R · return line

0160 RN 003 BN4HC filter element: specifications & equivalents

Q: What are the dimensions of the 0160 RN 003 BN4HC filter element?

The published envelope is 109.2 mm OD × 160 mm length with a 52 mm inside diameter (4.299 × 6.299 in × 2.047 in ID). Confirm against the housing drawing before ordering.

Q: What micron rating does 0160 RN 003 BN4HC use?

This element is rated 3 µm absolute — ßx(c) ≥ 1000 (HYDAC grade convention: β5(c) ≥ 1000). Always compare Beta ratings at the same test point: two brands may print different micron numbers for the same physical grade.

The 0160 RN 003 BN4HC is a HYDAC return-line hydraulic filter element, built with bn/hc=betamicron® low collapse media, sized 109.2 × 160 mm OD × length (ID 52 mm), rated at 3 µm absolute (ßx(c) ≥ 1000 (HYDAC grade convention: β5(c) ≥ 1000)). Verify against the current manufacturer data sheet before ordering.

Envelope OD × L 109.2 × 160 mm

Inside diameter 52 mm

Filtration rating 3 µm abs.

Beta rating ßx(c) ≥ 1000 (HYDAC grade convention: β5(c) ≥ 1000)

Media BN/HC=Betamicron® Low Collapse

Collapse / burst 20 bar

Line type return

Catalog verified. Parameters extracted from the manufacturer’s electronic catalog / official interchange document and checked 2026-09-28. Confidence score 0.92.

Dimensions, ratings and seal compound are taken directly from the HYDAC electronic catalog (catalog.hydac.com). Outside diameter and length are converted from the inch values printed on the catalog page; verify against the current HYDAC data sheet before ordering.

Specification table

Parameter	Value
Filter type	return line
Media	BN/HC=Betamicron® Low Collapse
Filtration rating	3 µm
Rating basis	absolute
Beta ratio	ßx(c) ≥ 1000 (HYDAC grade convention: β5(c) ≥ 1000)
Outside diameter OD	109.2 mm
Inside diameter ID	52 mm
Length	160 mm
End caps	open-ended cartridge element
Flow direction	outside-in
Collapse / burst pressure	20 bar
Integral bypass valve	none (housing/valve-dependent)
Seal material	Nitrile (Buna-N)
Operating temperature	-30 to 100 °C
Source catalog	HYDAC Technology Corporation: HYDAC electronic product catalog (catalog.hydac.com)
Last verified	2026-09-28

Sources: HYDAC Technology Corporation — HYDAC electronic product catalog (catalog.hydac.com) — accessed 2026-09-29.

HYDAC® and all model designations are trademarks of their respective owners, used here for identification only — ElementRef is an independent reference site, not an authorized HYDAC distributor.

Dimensions & series range

Outside diameter	109.2 mm (4.299 in)
Inside diameter	52 mm (2.047 in)
Overall length	160 mm (6.299 in)

All 109×160 mm interchange elements →

Cross references & equivalents

Equivalent model	Brand	Match level	Note
↔ 01.NR 160.3VG.10.B.P.-	Eaton / Internormen	partial	Eaton's filtration cross-reference lists 0160RN003BN4HC (Hydac) as an interchange for 01.NR 160.3VG.10.B.P.-. Envelope cross-reference; verify micron grade, delta-P rating and seal configuration before substituting.
↔ NR-160-E-03-B	STAUFF	partial	STAUFF Filter Interchange lists 0160 RN 003 BN4HC (HYDAC) as replaced by NR-160-E-03-B. Envelope dimensions are published; media grade and performance data are not — confirm before substituting in cleanliness-critical circuits.

Interchange levels: full catalog-confirmed drop-in · partial verify parameters · verify manual confirmation required. Links resolve to the equivalent model's specification page where available.

How the 0160 RN 003 BN4HC model number is decoded

0160 RN 003 BN4HCHYDAC Type RN filter element ordering code per the HYDAC electronic catalog (s16).
BN/HC=Betamicron® Low CollapseFilter media and collapse family as printed in the catalog.
3 µmAbsolute filter rating per the HYDAC catalog.
ßx(c) ≥ 1000Beta ratio rating as printed in the catalog.
109.2 mmOutside diameter.
52 mmInner diameter.
160 mmElement length.
20 barElement collapse (differential pressure) rating.
Nitrile (Buna-N)Seal compound.

Typical equipment & applications

Return-line filtration for HYDAC RF/RFM and equivalent housings
Industrial and mobile hydraulic systems

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

A return-line element is not a pressure-line element: return cartridges (BN4HC low-collapse) tolerate roughly 20 bar differential, while BH4HC pressure executions are rated to 210 bar. Installing a low-collapse element in a pressure housing can rupture the media on cold-start spikes.
This element has no integral bypass — opening pressure is set by the housing’s reusable bypass valve. Confirm the valve setting (commonly 3.4 bar) is present before fitting.
“10 µm nominal” and “12 µm at β1000” can describe the very same media — one is reported at β≥200, the other at β≥1000 per ISO 16889. Compare ratings at the same Beta test point, not just the printed micron number.
Nitrile (NBR) seals are standard for mineral hydraulic oil but fail early in some phosphate-ester fluids and at sustained high temperature; verify seal compound against the fluid data sheet (fluorocarbon/Viton executions may be required).
Fine 3 µm media loads faster and runs at a higher cold Δp than coarser grades — only downgrade cleanliness targets if the system ISO 4406 code allows it.
End-cap geometry and the number/position of O-rings block interchange even when OD and length match — visually compare end caps before fitting, especially with aftermarket cartridges.

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions of the 0160 RN 003 BN4HC filter element?

The published envelope is 109.2 mm OD × 160 mm length with a 52 mm inside diameter (4.299 × 6.299 in × 2.047 in ID). Confirm against the housing drawing before ordering.

What micron rating does 0160 RN 003 BN4HC use?

This element is rated 3 µm absolute — ßx(c) ≥ 1000 (HYDAC grade convention: β5(c) ≥ 1000). Always compare Beta ratings at the same test point: two brands may print different micron numbers for the same physical grade.

What replaces the 0160 RN 003 BN4HC filter element?

2 partial match(es) requiring parameter review

How do I read the 0160 RN 003 BN4HC part number?

See the designation decoder above: each segment of 0160RN003BN4HC encodes size, line type, filtration grade and media/collapse execution.

Is a same-envelope aftermarket element always a drop-in replacement?

No. Matching OD and length only proves the cartridge fits the bowl. End-cap style, seal compound, micron/Beta rating, collapse pressure and bypass configuration must also match; the table above tags every equivalent as full, partial or verify for exactly this reason.

How often should a hydraulic return-line element be replaced?

Replace at the housing manufacturer’s recommended differential-pressure setting (commonly signalled by a clogging indicator), or on a time-based service interval when no indicator is fitted — never wait for bypass to open continuously, because unfiltered oil then reaches the valves.

Same-envelope elements from other brands

View full interchange →

These 3 catalog element(s) share the 109×160 mm envelope. Envelope match alone does not guarantee interchangeability — compare micron/Beta, seals and collapse rating.

0160 RN 006 BN4HC HYDAC · 6 µm 0160 RN 010 BN4HC HYDAC · 10 µm 0160 RN 025 BN4HC HYDAC · 25 µm

Other models in the Betamicron 4 R series

All 929 →

0030 R 003 BN4HC 36×107 mm · 3 µm 0030 R 005 BN4HC 36×107 mm · 5 µm 0030 R 010 BN4HC 36×107 mm · 10 µm 0030 R 010 BN4HC /-B6 36×107 mm · 10 µm 0030 R 010 P/HC 36×107 mm · 10 µm 0030 R 010 P/HC /-B6 36×107 mm · 10 µm 0030 R 020 BN4HC 36×107 mm · 20 µm 0030 R 020 P/HC 36×107 mm · 20 µm 0030 R 025 W/HC 36×107 mm · 25 µm 0030 R 050 W/HC 36×107 mm · 50 µm

Reviewed & verified by the ElementRef engineering desk against HYDAC Technology Corporation on 2026-09-28. Read our editorial & correction policy.