Although there are occasional exceptions, the use of Y-strainers generally follows several rules. First, they are ordinarily employed where the amount of material to be removed is small. Size for size, their dirt holding capacity is less than a basket strainer. Next, Y-strainers are usually installed when frequent clean-out is not needed. There are Y-strainers in service on steam lines, for example, that are not cleaned more than once a year. Generally, Y-strainers are used with gases such as steam or air. Basket strainers are used with liquids.

For handling steam, a Y-Strainer is the standard and is almost universally used. Its compact, cylindrical shape is very strong and can handle high pressures. It is, literally, a pressure vessel. Y-strainers which handle pressures up to 6,000 psi are not uncommon. Of course, in these cases, safety is very important and Y-strainers, if properly designed, can be used at these pressures without fear of failure. When high pressure steam is being handled, another complicating factor arises - temperature. With steam pressures of 1500 psi or higher, standard carbon steel is sometimes not suitable because the steam temperature may be 1000 degrees F or even higher. In these cases, the Y-strainer body is generally made of chrome-moly steel.

Besides steam, the other gases most commonly used and requiring strainers are air and natural gas. Here again, high pressures are not uncommon. However, unlike steam, high air pressure does not automatically mean high temperature and so ordinary carbon steel bodies of sufficient wall thickness will generally suffice. 

A Y-strainer has the advantage of being able to be installed in either a horizontal or vertical position. Obviously, in both cases, the screening element must be on the "down side" of the strainer body so the entrapped material can properly collect in it.

Size of size, a Y-strainer will offer more pressure drop than a basket strainer since its free straining area is less. This is why basket strainers are preferred for liquids. Gases, being readily compressible, will flow through Y-strainers of the same size as a pipeline easily, with little pressure loss. This is assuming the Y-strainer is properly designed and of adequate size. Some manufactures reduce the size of the Y-strainer body to save material and to cut costs. Before installing a Y-strainer, be sure it is large enough to properly handle the flow. A low priced strainer may be an indication of an undersized unit.

Bronze is the second material of which Y-strainers are made. It has better thermal and mechanical shock qualities than iron, and therefore, is sometimes preferred for low pressure steam service. However, it is limited in temperature to a maximum of about 350 degrees F.

Carbon steel is the third material and is best when strength, temperature or mechanical shock resistance are important. Many engineers specify carbon steel even when iron might be suitable. The extra cost is very small when spread over the years of actual service and a good safety factor is built in. Particularly with steam, the chance of an accident to many people is not worth the risk of using lower priced iron in place of more dependable steel. 

The last common material for strainers is stainless steel. This, of course, is used where corrosion is a problem. Many gases such as those from petroleum operations or natural gas are "sour" or acid and when moisture is present, will corrode iron or steel. In these cases, stainless steel is called for.

A Y-strainer is, in a sense, a self-cleaning strainer. Many are fitted with a blow off connection to which a valve can be attached. The screen can thus be cleaned by simply opening and then closing the valve without shutting off the flow or disassembling the strainer. The old saying "a chain is no stronger than its weakest link" applies here, a Y-strainer is no stronger than its clean-out connection. These features should always be checked. In large sizes where the clean-out connection is flanged, the flange must not be skimpy. It should also be properly gasketed. Fro high temperatures or pressures, metallic reinforced gaskets should be used.

Another important design feature to check for in Y-strainers is the point where the screen or straining element seals to the body. This seat should be carefully machined so no particle can bypass it. The same thing applies to the clean-out end. The screen should fit tightly. Beware of strainers with un-machined seats.

In addition to flanged and threaded connections, carbon and stainless steel Y-strainers are also available with socket weld and butt weld end connections. These are used mostly for higher pressure applications, 600 psi and above.  Socket weld strainers above the 3 inch size are not often encountered.