Fitting purpose
This coupling was developed in the USA, so the name is appropriate - American. Many beginners are interested in how suitable American is for plumbing and what kind of connection it is. It is intended, first of all, for connecting pipes of different materials and cross-sections. Although American thread standards differ from European and Asian ones, American threads are excellent for installing plumbing fixtures and devices of various manufacturers. For this, American developers came up with a technology for universal and high-quality joining of pipes made of copper, steel and even plastic.
The main tasks that are performed using an American coupling:
- installation of pipelines into tees, taps and other devices;
- eliminating damage to the pipe section;
- installation without the use of electric and gas welding.
The American connection has spread greatly in Russia, thanks to its design features and versatility.
Coupling according to American standards Source uspehidelo.ru
American types used
When installing plumbing and pipes for different purposes, you have to deal with many ramifications. An American connection has been developed specifically for this purpose. What kind of device this is and what type it is can be understood based on its purpose. For example, to connect radiator or toilet pipes, corner and combination couplings are used. Many types of fittings are used for different purposes, since the fastening must not only be of high quality and tight, but also have an acceptable appearance.
Corner type
Before the introduction of connector fittings, welding of adapters was mainly used for corner joints. Now this is not necessary - it is much more convenient to install the coupling. American women are available in various sizes and degrees of bending. On sale you can find corner joints from 45º to 135º.
With such a variety of fittings, joints can be connected smoothly and without additional intervention. The union nut on the American one will ensure a tight fit and sufficient pressure on the internal gaskets. This connection is convenient both during installation and disassembly of the line.
Angle fitting Source vseinstrumenti.ru
Combined type
It is common when connecting straight sections and allows you to install various PVC metal pipes. The quality and tightness of the joints is ensured throughout the entire operation of the pipeline.
Ball Valves
This type of coupling has replaced drives, which are inferior in quality, although they are cheaper. The ball valve is made of stainless steel with brass inserts and is resistant to most types of corrosion. Installation is simple and reliable; the absence of internal gaskets eliminates breakage and rapid abrasion of the fitting. Basically, taps according to the American standard are installed when installing flush tanks and at the junction of the main line at the entrance to the building.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the design and installation of water supply and sewerage systems
How to connect an American pipe with a polypropylene pipe
PP heating and water supply systems are laid by connecting individual pipes using soldering. When using fittings made of the same material. In addition, special welding equipment - an iron with a set of replaceable cylindrical nozzles.
Installation sequence:
- The installation site is checked for integrity, the pipes are chamfered, and the end of the PP section is calibrated.
- The polymer pipe of the American coupling together with the union nut is soldered to the PP pipe.
- A thread connection is made between the second part of the detachable pipe element and a shut-off valve, radiator or other engineering unit. When performing this operation, additional sealing material is used. This is flax, fum tape or tow. In addition, you may need a special internal wrench or a cylindrical device with recesses to allow for hooking.
- The fitting is partially tightened. This will allow you to check the correctness of the work done and, if necessary, correct errors.
- The American nut is fully tightened when using an adjustable, open-end or universal wrench. It is not recommended to use gas tools for this process. It may damage the connecting element.
The service life of an American installation installed on a cold water supply system can reach 50 years.
When using a fitting in a heating circuit, the period of its reliable use is approximately halved. Consequently, service life directly depends on the pressure and temperature of the fluid moved through the system.
Differences in carving
Novice professionals are often interested in the question of what an American is in plumbing, and what shape and cross-section are suitable for different types of connections. Quite a lot of them have been developed, let’s focus on the main ones.
Fitting disassembled Source prom.st
Cone and flat
The most well-known and used type of connection when joining a pipeline is a cone connection. Due to the absence of a gasket, contact during docking becomes reliable and tight. Thermal resistance allows the American cone to be installed in heating systems.
The flat American is slightly inferior to it due to the reduction in gasket during operation. This causes leaks. It is best to install it on an accessible section of the pipeline for timely maintenance.
With internal thread
To connect steel and brass pipes, use a strong and reliable American coupling with internal threads. Before joining, a thread is made to match the American type used, so plastic is not well suited for these purposes. It is not necessary to completely dismantle or remove sections of the highway. After installation, the connection is secured using a union nut screwed onto the pipe.
Internal thread connection Source prom.st
What is an American in plumbing?
An American coupling, or as this connection is correctly called, an American coupling, is a connecting element for pipes with external and internal threads. Can be used in metal pipelines, as well as for polypropylene pipes. This connection is installed in pipelines operating at temperatures up to +120 degrees and at increased operating pressure.
What does the American fitting consist of:
- hex threaded nut;
- two threaded fittings;
- the gasket between these elements is made of paronite, rubber or polypropylene.
Structurally, this is a coupling that has a side where a threaded union nut rests. For the coupling to connect two pipes, you just need to quickly tighten one nut. This connection is also disconnected with one movement.
The coupling can be simply a connecting coupling, or can also be used as a ball valve - with the ability to shut off the flow of the carrier.
For installation, depending on the type of pipes and fittings, the following types of wrenches may be needed: adjustable, open-end, socket, spacer, internal for a different number of edges. If the fitting is intended for joining metal parts, dies are also needed for cutting threads on them at least 7 turns. Plastic piping will require crimping tools, which allow pipes and fittings to be joined together using mechanical force. For additional reliability and to ensure tightness when installing American ones, sealants are used - fum, flax, etc.
Coupling materials
The strength and stability of the connection under the influence of different temperatures depends on the material of the fitting. The material must be free from rust and other types of corrosion. For each type of pipeline, separate American pipes made of different metal or plastic are selected.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel fittings are durable and convenient, easy to install and have a long service life. The appearance and technical properties do not change throughout the entire service life. Due to this, stainless steel connections are considered the most popular.
Galvanized
They have a shorter service life and, due to their low cost, are used for large-scale construction work. The zinc leaves the iron body within a year, then corrosion destroys the black iron and causes the fitting to fail.
Galvanized coupling Source rodogerb.ru
Brass
The composition of such a fitting is resistant to heat and chemical compounds, which allows it to be used in various industries. Brass products meet all safety standards, the only drawback of which is the high price and change in the appearance of brass. The latter can be corrected by chrome plating or powder paints
Copper
High prices and poor demand resulted in limited production of American copper fittings. They are mainly used for installing copper pipes. Over time, copper develops a patina and begins to darken, which only makes it more difficult to maintain. In addition, copper is easily damaged by electrolytic corrosion, methods for combating which have not yet been developed.
Pros and cons of being American
Despite their widespread use, connections according to the American standard have not only advantages, but also disadvantages. Let's first look at the advantages:
- Maximum tightness due to the reliability and strength of the connection.
- American ones are installed without the use of welding tools. Just tighten a couple of nuts for installation.
- Reusable. The connection can be easily dismantled and assembled in another section of the highway.
- Versatility of docking. The American allows you to connect pipes of different materials.
- Reliability of fittings. Using American, all elements of the highway will be firmly connected and will last for a long time.
The only significant drawback is the high cost of the American coupling. This is due to the unsurpassed quality of the product.
Reliably connected plumbing pipes using an American Source moikolodets.ru
About the undoubted advantages of an American woman
The main disadvantage of the American is its relatively high cost. Perhaps this is the main limiting factor on the path to the triumphant spread of this connection method. Unlike other methods, using the American one achieves:
- highest quality of docking;
- quick installation, requiring only tightening the union nut;
- the ability to quickly disconnect the pipes at the place where the pipe is fixed, keeping them stationary. If the water supply becomes clogged, a new outlet is installed, or the damaged section is replaced, then quick disassembly and reassembly of the American pipe significantly reduces the downtime of the system;
- unnecessary rotation of connected pipes;
- ideal evenness of the location of the joined parts during installation of the connecting element. With other connection methods, the connecting element itself violates the position of the articulated parts of the structure, which causes a certain violation of its tightness;
- connection of pipes made of various materials.
- multiple disassembly and assembly procedures;
- ease of installation in hard-to-reach places. When using squeegees, their dimensions limit the possibilities of application, especially in cases where it is difficult to hold the indispensable seal. The installation of an American woman simply does not involve such problems;
- refusal to purchase or manufacture an additional seal, since it is a structural element (with the exception, of course, of varieties with a cone fastening);
- selection of the required shape of the connecting element, which has many varieties.
To install an American you need the simplest tools
Video description
For a description and application of American couplings for plumbing, see the video:
Plastic pipes are not threaded; they are used for other purposes. American ones are screwed to ready-made welded or glued elements of the highway. When installing, it is recommended to use only suitable tools to prevent damage to the fittings. The elements should be tightened all the way. It is advisable to install the pipes on a strong support.
