Component and cartridge seals are actually manufactured with the same components. As both names indicate, a component mechanical seal needs to be assembled by a knowledgeable technician prior to assembly; whereas a cartridge seal comes completely assembled as a complete unit. The implications of the two designs are quite easy to visualise. For example, the installation of a component seal is time-consuming, and is open to contamination. A cartridge seal, on the other hand, takes almost no time to install, and is protected from exposure to contaminants.