Pentair 4.5" Long Lateral Assembly

The Pentair 4.5" Long Lateral Assembly (part number 152290 or 152290Z) is a precision-slotted internal fluid-distribution component engineered exclusively for the lower collection hubs of residential and commercial sand filtration systems. This genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement finger is tailored specifically for Pentair’s top-mount and side-mount high-rate sand filters, providing a standard fit for the Pentair Sand Dollar® series (models SD40, SD60, SD70, SD80), the Tagelus® series (models TA40D, TA60D), and Cristal-Flo® II sand filtration lines.

Primary Operational Role

The complete underlying filtration grid at the base of the sand filter requires an array of these 4.5-inch laterals radially interlocked into a central collector hub or vertical standpipe assembly. Measuring exactly 4.5 inches in functional length, each single finger features micro-molded V-groove slots along its outer face.

Its primary operational role is to establish an absolute mechanical media barrier during daily pool filtration cycles. As pressurized water pushes downward through the deep silica sand bed, these laterals collect the purified fluid while preventing the fine sand media from migrating into the internal lines. The collected clean water is then directed upward through the center standpipe and returned to the pool. During the backwash cycle, the multi-port valve reverses this flow, pushing high-velocity water out through the laterals to expand, lift, and fluidize the sand bed, releasing trapped organic debris into the waste line.

Performance & Materials

By distributing hydraulic pressure uniformly across the bottom curve of the tank, this radial configuration optimizes water turnover, prevents media dead-zones, and eliminates destructive fluid tunneling. Built to remain buried under hundreds of pounds of abrasive media, this component handles continuous system pressures up to 50 PSI and resists cracking under sudden pump startup surges. Injection-molded from a heavy-walled, high-impact polymer composite, it fully resists chemical bleaching, material brittleness, and advanced corrosion from constant exposure to pool sanitizers like chlorine, bromine, and routine seasonal acid washes. Due to its lightweight, hollow plastic frame, this individual finger carries a nominal net product and shipping weight of approximately 0.05 to 0.08 pounds (about 0.80 to 1.28 ounces).