Copper Piping

Properties
•light, strong, corrosion resistant tube

•used
for supply of hot and cold water, and as refrigerant line in
HVAC systems

•Copperoffers a high level of resistance to corrosion, but is

becoming very costly.

•2 basic types of copper tubing

soft copper
rigid copper
Wall Thickness Classification:
•Type K
thickest wall section of the three types of pressure rated tubing
used for deep underground burial
 suitable corrosion protection coating or continuous polyethylene
sleeve as required by code
•Type L
 thinner pipe wall section
 used in residential and commercial water supply and pressure
applications
•Type M
 thinnest wall section
 suitable for condensate and other drains
 sometimes illegal for pressure applications, depending on local codes
Limitations:
• Mains pressure must not exceed 100psi

• minimum wall thickness of 0.065 inch & shall be

hard drawn

• shall not be used for mains where strain or

external loading may damage the piping.
Joint of Copper Pipe
Properties:
•Joints are simple, reliable and economical to make
•Joined using flare connection, compression connection, or solder
 Flare Connection
--flare tool
-- the end of a tubing section be spread outward in a
bell shape
-- flare nut then compresses this bell-shaped end
onto a male fitting
--most labor intensive but quite reliable
  Compression Connection
--use a soft metal ring (the compression ring) which is
squeezed onto the pipe and Into the fitting by a compression nut
-- soft metal conforms to the surface of the tubing and the
fitting, and creates a seal.
--do not typically have the long life
--advantage: easy to make using basic tools
-- disadvantage: take longer to make than sweat & require
retightening over time to stop leaks

 Solder
--smooth, and easily slip onto the end of a tubing section.
-- heated using a torch& solder is melted into the
connection.
--forms a very strong bond which can last for decades
--most popular choice for water supply lines in modern
buildings
--quicker and much less expensive
•filler
material : copper-phosphorous alloy or silver
base alloy.

•Butt weld’s are not permissible for joining copper

pipe or tubing

•shall not be threaded and used for connecting screw

fittings or valves

•Provision  prevent harmful galvanic action

Reference:
http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tap_water

http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipe_fitting#C
opper_tubing

Lab module