Copper Fittings – The Basics

Share This Post

The next time you visit a DIY store or builders merchant, stop in at the plumbing section and take a look at the huge range and variety of small plumbing fittings that are available. Brass, copper, plastic, chrome – all are available in a confusing array of different sizes. But what do they do, and how do they work?

The generic name for these products is copper fittings. This term refers to the fact that they are used in conjunction with copper pipe (or a substitute product such as plastic) in the supply of hot and cold water or central heating. Copper fittings do indeed come in a number of different shapes and sizes, but they are generally classified into four groups. These groups are derived from the actual method that is adopted when the fitting is put into use.

The first group is known as solder ring fittings. Solder ring fittings (sometimes referred to as Yorkshire fittings) are made of either copper or brass. The fitting itself contains a small ring of cooled solder around the circumference of the inside of the fitting. When the copper pipe is pushed into the fitting and flux (a cleaning and activating paste) is applied along with intense heat, the solder melts and runs around the joint, cooling and solidifying once more as soon as the heat source is removed, forming a solid joint.

The second type group of fittings are known as end feed fittings. These fittings are almost identical to solder ring fittings except that they do not contain an integral ring of solder – when using end feed fittings the solder is supplied by the plumber from a reel or solder stick. When the pipe/fitting joint is at the correct temperature, the plumber offers the tip of the solder reel or stick up to the joint. The intense heat melts the solder, which is then “drawn” or “fed” into and around the fitting by capillary action. Once more the joint is made when the heat is removed and the solder sets. These fittings are favoured by plumbers as they are considerably less expensive than solder ring fittings, and equally efficient when used correctly.

The third group of fittings goes by the name of compression. These are generally brass fittings that use a mechanical pressure joint method sometimes referred to as “nut and olive”. The olive is a thin band of either copper or brass that is shaped like a wedding ring and which, along with a threaded nut, fits over the copper pipe, the pipe is then inserted into the fitting, and the female thread on the nut is tightened down onto the male thread on the body of the fitting. As the nut is tightened, the olive is crushed down onto the pipe and into concave seat inside the fitting, making a secure and watertight joint. Some plumbers favour the use of a proprietary pipe jointing compound around the olive when using compression fittings.

The final and newest group of fittings is called push fit fittings. Cleverly designed using internal grab rings, they are used in conjunction with technically advanced flexible plastic pipes supplied in either coils or lengths. Small metal or rigid plastic pipe stiffeners are inserted into the end bore of the pipe, ensuring that the wall of the pipe does not distort under pressure. The pipe is then inserted into the fitting until it reaches the integral stops inside the fitting, ensuring that the grab rings are located in the correct position. The joint then reaches its full strength when pressurised by the water flowing through it.

Regardless of which of the four groups the fittings belong to, they are always sized in reference to the diameter of the copper pipe that they are used to join. The most common sizes in domestic plumbing applications are 15mm, 22mm and 28mm.

spot_img

Related Articles

How to acquire Health Insurance and Manage Adult ADHD (or ADD)?

Finding affordable health insurance plans can be challenging. Here are some tips for getting coverage, so that both you and your Adult ADHD are...

How to get started with dance workouts: A complete beginner’s guide

How to get started with dance workouts: A complete beginner's guide No matter what dance style you choose, whether it's African dance, TikTok, Latin fusion...

Achieving Weight Loss Success in a Flexible Lifestyle: Tips for Consistency

As someone who lost over 50 pounds while working in the corporate world, I can relate to many struggling with this problem. Trying to...

How to prepare for your first electric muscle stimulation workout

What exactly is electrical muscle stimulation? You may have used EMS Electrical Muscle Stimulation Workout to loosen tight muscles and allow them to heal. These...

A Beginner’s Guide to Dance Workouts

A Beginner's Guide to Dance Workouts You can choose from African dance, TikTok dancing parties, Latin Fusion, or any other dance style. It will be...

TOP 10 GYM ETIQUETTE ROLES

Ten rules to avoid being "that" person at the gym 1. Always ask Ask if you can help if someone is using a gym etiquette roles...

Practically win-win sports betting with minimal risk – tips for beginners

A sports betting strategy is an algorithm of actions for making profits with betting over a notional period of time. For example, increase the...

Tips for improving your mental well-being

The state of your mind is crucial to healthy living. We provide suggestions and tips to help you manage daily stress and issues. Mental health...

Are there any disadvantages to Tooth Implants

Are there any disadvantages to Tooth Implants Tooth Implants in the last decade have seen a huge increase in demand. New composites have come out,...

Subscribe

1,000FansLike
1,000FollowersFollow
1,000FollowersFollow

Myths, Lies and Propaganda About Exercise

Throughout my career in the military I have come...

Save Time and Money by Once a Month Cooking

Only 12 Days in the Year of Cooking Time Many...

Save Your Wallet and Your Waistline With Freezer Cooking

Have you heard of freezer cooking? It's a great...

Adult Alternative Lifestyle – Dating and Relationships With a Twist

Alternative lifestyle can be defined as a mode of...

Human Body Energy Fields

The body, made up of seven billion billion atoms,...

Optimistic influences of Clenbuterol on people

Clenbuterol,commonly called Clen is a drug developed for the...
error: Content is protected !!