Product Overview

The Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 320 sq ft Cartridge Filter | EC-160340 is a high-performance cartridge pool filter designed to deliver clean, clear water with less maintenance than traditional backwash-style filters. With 320 square feet of effective filtration area and a four-cartridge design, this filter provides excellent dirt-holding capacity and reliable water clarity for residential inground pools.

The Clean & Clear Plus series uses cleanable, reusable cartridge elements instead of sand or DE. This means there is no backwashing required, helping reduce water waste and chemical loss during routine maintenance. The filter’s durable fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene tank is built for strength, chemical resistance, and long-term outdoor pool equipment performance.

Designed for efficient hydraulic flow, easy service access, and dependable filtration, the EC-160340 is a strong choice for pool owners looking to upgrade from older sand, DE, or undersized cartridge filters.

Ideal For

• Residential inground swimming pools
• Pool and spa filtration systems
• Replacing older sand, DE, or cartridge filters
• Pool owners wanting no-backwash filtration
• Customers wanting reduced water waste
• Medium-to-large pool filtration systems
• Systems requiring up to 120 GPM flow
• Equipment pad upgrades
• Pools with high debris loads
• Professional pool equipment installations

Key Features

• 320 sq ft effective filtration area — provides strong dirt-holding capacity for residential pool systems.
• Four-cartridge design — maximizes filter surface area and helps extend time between cleanings.
• No backwashing required — cartridges are removed and rinsed, helping conserve water and reduce chemical loss.
• 120 GPM flow rate — supports efficient circulation for properly sized pool systems.
• Fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene tank — strong, corrosion-resistant tank construction for outdoor pool environments.
• Cleanable, reusable cartridges — easy-to-maintain filter elements help reduce replacement frequency.
• HiFlow™ manual air relief valve — helps release trapped air for safer and more efficient operation.
• Continuous internal air relief — helps prevent air buildup inside the filter tank.
• Lock-ring clamp design — requires only a partial turn to secure the tank safely and evenly.
• Self-cleaning drain / washout port — makes draining and cleaning the filter easier.
• Commercial-grade performance — designed to deliver dependable water clarity day after day.
• Easy cartridge access — service-friendly design allows cartridges to be removed, rinsed, and reinstalled.

Benefits

The Pentair EC-160340 Clean & Clear Plus filter is designed to make pool maintenance easier while delivering excellent filtration performance. Its large 320 sq ft cartridge area captures dirt, debris, and fine particles efficiently, helping keep pool water clear and inviting.

Because this filter does not require backwashing, it can help save water and reduce chemical waste compared with sand or DE filters. Maintenance is simple: remove the cartridge elements, rinse them with a garden hose, inspect them, and reinstall them when clean.

For pool professionals, the Clean & Clear Plus 320 offers a durable, service-friendly filter platform with strong flow capacity, reliable tank construction, and broad compatibility with residential inground pool systems.

Specifications

Included Components

• 1 × Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 320 cartridge filter tank assembly
• 4 × reusable cartridge filter elements
• 1 × lock-ring tank clamp assembly
• 1 × HiFlow manual air relief valve
• 1 × internal air relief assembly
• 1 × drain / washout assembly
• Bulkhead union set
• Manufacturer-supplied installation documentation

Plumbing valves, additional fittings, replacement cartridges, pressure gauge parts, O-rings, equipment pad materials, and installation labor are sold separately unless specifically included by the supplier.

Compatibility Notes

The Pentair EC-160340 is designed for residential inground pool systems requiring a high-capacity cartridge filter.

Common compatibility and replacement references include:

• Pentair Clean & Clear Plus CCP320
• Pentair 160340
• Pentair EC-160340
• Systems requiring 320 sq ft cartridge filtration
• Systems requiring up to 120 GPM filter flow
• 2" plumbing pool equipment layouts
• Replacement cartridge reference R173573 / 178580 / PCC80-PAK4 style sets

Always confirm pump flow rate, plumbing size, equipment pad clearance, cartridge access space, and pressure requirements before ordering.

Installation Notes

This filter should be installed by a qualified pool professional. Proper installation requires correct plumbing alignment, pressure testing, flow verification, equipment pad support, air relief setup, and safe startup.

Before installation, confirm that the connected pump does not exceed the filter’s 120 GPM flow rating or 50 PSI maximum working pressure. Install the filter on a level, stable surface with enough clearance above and around the tank for cartridge removal and service.

Always turn off the pump and relieve system pressure before opening the filter. Never loosen or remove the lock ring while the filter is pressurized.

Customer-Facing Q&A

Q: What is the Pentair EC-160340?
A: It is a Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 320 sq ft cartridge pool filter, also commonly referenced as model CCP320.

Q: What is the SKU?
A: The SKU is EC-160340.

Q: What is the UPC / GTIN?
A: The UPC / GTIN is 788379500009.

Q: What is the related Pentair part number?
A: The related part number is 160340.

Q: What is the filtration area?
A: This filter provides 320 sq ft of effective filtration area.

Q: How many cartridges does it use?
A: It uses four cartridge elements.

Q: What is the flow rate?
A: The listed flow rate is 120 GPM.

Q: Does this filter require backwashing?
A: No. This is a cartridge filter, so the cartridges are removed and rinsed for cleaning.

Q: What replacement cartridges does it use?
A: Common replacement cartridge references include R173573, 178580, and compatible PCC80-PAK4 style 4-pack cartridge sets.

Q: What is the maximum pressure rating?
A: The maximum working pressure is commonly listed as 50 PSI.

Q: Is this for above-ground or inground pools?
A: This filter is commonly used for residential inground pool filtration systems.

Q: Should this be professionally installed?
A: Yes. Professional installation is recommended to ensure proper flow, plumbing, pressure safety, and equipment pad setup.