Copper Pipe Fittings
Copper pipe fittings are ideal for plumbing and pipe installation and offer a speedy, convenient solution for amateurs and professionals alike. Plumbing is all about pipes and fittings as pipes establish the runs that bring or take water, with fittings controlling and manipulating the flow. Push Fit pipe fittings allow you to join pipes to taps and inlets without relying entirely on screw fittings or soldering, while still maintaining a waterproof seal. Requiring no special skill to use, Push Fit connectors save time, effort and worry. Once the pipe is connected to a Push Fit connector, it cannot be released without special tooling. Copper Push Fit connectors typically either have a Push Fit to Push Fit, of connecting pipes to each other, or Push Fit to screw fit, for connecting to taps and inlets.
Why use copper pipe fittings?
Copper is used as it can tolerate very high temperatures and as such, is used widely for central heating applications
Different types of pipe fittings include:
Adapters
Adapters are used to extend runs, or to change the connection type at the end of a pipe.
Bushings
Bushings are used to join pipes of different sizes, usually by reducing a larger fitting down to a smaller pipe.
Couplings
A coupling is used to extend the run of a pipe, or change pipe sizes.
Elbows
If you need to change the direction of flow, elbows are likely your best bet. Produced primarily in 90 and 45 degree angles (unique sizes like 22.5 and 60 are also available), elbows can be threaded or sweated, and are one of the most crucial fittings used in plumbing.
Tees
When more than one branch is required of a water supply, tees are the way to go. Essentially a long coupling with an outlet on the side, these fittings feature their outlets at 90° from the inlet, and are sized according to their "run" (the horizontal, or straight-through dimension of the fitting), and the side outlet (the "top" of the fitting, 90 degrees off the run). When the run of a tee is smaller than the side outlet, it's often referred to as a "bull head" fitting.
Caps and Plugs
A cap goes over the end of a pipe, creating a dead end. Plugs also stop up a pipe or tube system, but are plugged, like a stopper, into the end of the pipe.
Cross type Fitting
Cross type fittings contains 4 opening in 4 directions. These are connected when there are 4 pipes meeting at a point.