What Size Y Strainer Do You Need?
Selecting the right stainless steel Y strainer starts with matching the valve size to your piping line — never undersize it, which causes unnecessary pressure drop and frequent cleaning cycles. As a rule of thumb, the strainer port size should match your pipe diameter, with a screen area at least 3–4 times the pipe cross-section to keep pressure drop under 5psi at design flow.
Mesh Size Guide by Application
Choosing the right screen mesh prevents both frequent clogging and unwanted debris passing through: – 10–20 mesh: for oil, gas, and heavy industrial lines catching large solids – 20–30 mesh: standard for HVAC, chilled water, and general utility piping – 40–60 mesh: for chemical processing, food & beverage, and sanitary systems – 80–120 mesh: for high-purity pharmaceutical and ultra-clean water lines
Pressure Rating Match
Always match the strainer pressure class to your system operating pressure: PN16 for general low-pressure water lines, PN40 for industrial process piping, and ANSI 150LB/300LB flanged connections for standard international piping. All CHL stainless steel Y strainers are 100% shell pressure tested before shipment, with CE/ISO certification for global export.
Quick Installation Tips
Install the strainer with the blow-down plug pointing downward for easy cleaning, keep 3–5 pipe diameters of straight run upstream, and use even flange torque to avoid gasket leakage. It works for both horizontal and vertical upward flow without extra supports.