Methods for connecting copper pipes. Copper pipeline laying

Thanks to its almost unique performance qualities, copper is today one of the most popular materials used for the installation of communication systems. It is especially common in private homes, where water supply and heating systems are made from copper pipes, the connection of which is carried out using various methods.

One of the main reasons for using copper in communications systems is the material's outstanding resistance to high temperatures and high blood pressure from the side of the medium circulating through the pipes. For example, calculations show that in the case of installation single pipe system heating system, if you want to get the water temperature in the radiator to be 70 degrees, at the inlet it should be at least 120 degrees. Many modern materials They are simply not designed for such temperatures. An example here is the plastic (or polymer) pipes that are so popular today. They are light, not too expensive (especially in comparison with copper), do not cause difficulties during installation and look quite aesthetically pleasing. But the maximum temperature for which they are designed is 95 degrees Celsius. At higher temperatures, the pipes simply begin to melt. At the same time, copper can easily withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees.

When operating a household pipeline, the opposite situation may also occur - freezing of water in the pipes. The vast majority of materials cannot withstand the linear expansion of frozen water and are destroyed - ruptures or cracks appear on pipes made of polymer, cast iron or steel. Copper copes excellently with this problem due to its ductility.

In general, copper pipes are universal elements. They can be used not only in water supply or heating systems. Often, specialized pipelines are installed from them in refrigeration units or air conditioners. Due to the gas-tightness of copper, they are also used for the installation of gas pipelines, both domestic and industrial. Besides, in Lately Copper pipes for electrical wiring have become quite common, which can reliably protect all its “intricacies” from mechanical and other damage.

Types of copper pipe connections when installing networks.

To connect copper pipes into a single system, various techniques and additional details. The choice of a specific method depends on the characteristics of the pipeline, its purpose, its location, and even national traditions. Regarding the last point, today in Europe, where copper pipelines are used most often, two traditional approaches to their installation have developed:

• The “British approach” is a fittingless connection of pipes to each other (pipe bending, flanging, bending, soldering, welding, etc.). This method makes it possible to simplify the design of a copper pipeline as much as possible, which practically does not use any additional elements(connecting parts are only required to connect devices to the pipeline). But it is worth noting that this approach requires quite a lot of experience and high qualifications from installers. In addition, you cannot do without special tools here;
• “German approach” - connecting pipes to each other using fittings. This approach has a number of advantages: the use of fittings requires less time for pipeline installation and less effort on the part of installers. It can be used for laying pipelines of any configuration and guarantees high quality connections, practically independent of the experience and qualifications of the installer. The disadvantages of the method include the complexity of the pipeline design and the need to regularly check fitting connections.

All types of copper pipe connections that exist today can be divided into 2 categories:

• one-piece;
• detachable.

Permanent connections- this is a structure that cannot be disassembled without destroying its individual components. These include:

• soldering;
• welding;
• pressing.

Soldering or welding can be done without fittings. Factory connectors for copper pipes (various fittings) are also used. For pressing, special press fittings are required, which are equipped with crimp sleeves.

All types of permanent connections can be used when installing water supply, gas supply and heating systems.

Note! When installing water pipelines and heat supply systems for pipes of small and medium diameter, low-temperature soldering is most often used, and welding is used for pipes large diameter. When installing “warm floors,” the most common technique is pressing. If it is necessary to connect copper with steel, then soldering or welding is usually used, depending on the diameter of the pipes (solder - bronze). But when installing a gas pipeline, high-temperature soldering is required.

Plug-in connection- This is a collapsible design. It is obtained with the help various types fittings:

• threaded;
• compression;
• self-fixing.

In addition, in this case, a flange can be used - a connector for copper pipes of large and medium sections. And during emergency pipeline repairs, a turnbuckle can be temporarily used to connect pipes of the same diameter.

Most often, a variety of fittings and connectors are used to connect various equipment, consuming devices or fittings to the pipeline. The convenience of such connections is that they can be easily disassembled if necessary (for example, if a pipeline needs to be repaired or equipment connected to it needs to be replaced). They are very reliable and do not require much qualification from the installer. In addition, installation requires a minimum of special tools - most of the work is done literally by hand.

But at the same time, detachable connections require periodic inspection and maintenance. They are weakened by temperature and pressure changes in the system, and the sealing elements wear out over time. That is why they must be located in such a way that access to them during pipeline operation is open at any time.

Note! Threading is prohibited on copper pipes. Therefore, special transition-type fittings are used to connect copper to the threaded elements of the system. On one side, such parts have a socket for connection to a pipe by soldering or crimping, and on the other side, a thread.

Whatever type of connection is chosen when installing a copper pipeline, you should know that in any case it does not reduce the mechanical strength of the system. On the contrary, any of the connections, except welding, increases the thickness of the system walls, which means that this part of the pipeline is even stronger than the pipe itself. Concerning welded joint, then it (initially softer due to the peculiarities of the process) becomes stronger over time.

Preparation of copper pipes for connection during installation of communication networks.

Before connecting pipes to each other, they must be prepared. Preparation includes several stages.

• Cutting.

For execution this stage It is best to resort to the help of a pipe cutter. The entire process of using this tool is extremely simple. It is necessary to put the pipe cutter on the end of the pipe where the cut is to be made, moving it to the place marked for the cut. After this, you need to tightly tighten the clamp (screw) of the tool and begin rotating the cutter around the pipe. The screw will be tightened, resulting in the pipe being cut off at the location of the cutter.

Note! The use of a pipe cutter allows you to make an accurate perpendicular cut. But in the process of cutting the pipe, you should not use excessive force - this may crush the end of the copper product. It's better to make a couple of extra turns of the pipe cutter.

Of course, everyone knows about the ductility of copper and that it can be cut with an ordinary hacksaw. But to achieve good quality such a cut and its perpendicularity is quite difficult. When using a hacksaw, the edges are too uneven and require additional processing. True, if special tool I don’t have it at hand, a hacksaw turns out to be the only way to adjust the pipe to the desired length. But then you should pay special attention to the edges.

• Processing of pipe edges.

After cutting, burrs and irregularities will remain on the edge of the pipe in any case. Before making the connection, these defects must be eliminated. To do this, use a needle file or a rounded file.

The outer surface of the edge also needs to be cleaned, removing the oxide film and dirt from it. This work is done using fine-grained sandpaper. In addition, the inner surface of the edge should also be cleaned before joining. Special wipes or brushes are suitable for these purposes.

Note! The edge should be cleaned until its surface becomes shiny. But you shouldn’t be too diligent, as there is a high chance of removing too much copper. In this case, it may be difficult to make a connection using soldering or welding.

Connecting copper pipes using capillary soldering.

One of the most common methods of connecting copper pipes is capillary soldering. To carry it out, special fittings are used to help the solder be distributed at the location where the seam is made extremely evenly, regardless of the position of the pipe itself. Great importance at the same time, it has the correct choice of fitting diameter - it must be larger diameter pipes by 0.1-0.15 mm.

To perform capillary soldering, flux will need to be applied to the end of the pipe. This is a special composition that, when melted, dissolves the oxide film present on the pipe. In addition, it perfectly protects copper from oxidation, which inevitably occurs when it is heated.

Note! Flux is a highly chemically reactive compound, which means that it can interact with the metal it is applied to. Therefore, when using it, you should be careful and not use more flux than required. It is best to use a brush, applying flux exclusively to the part of the pipe that will fit inside the fitting. Moreover, this must be done immediately before starting soldering. After this, immediately insert the end of the pipe into the fitting until it stops, turning it around the axis of the pipe - this is required so that the flux “lays down” as evenly as possible. If any part of the flux ends up on the outer surface of the pipe, it must be removed immediately.

After the pipe is inserted into the fitting, the connection must be heated. Heating should be uniform around the entire circumference of the joint. To do this, you can use an open flame - for example, a gas burner with two nozzles. Often more is used safe way- industrial dryer. The degree of heating can be determined using the flux or solder used. If a flux containing tin is used, silvery drops appearing at the joint will indicate that the temperature required for soldering has been reached. If another type of flux is used, then you can determine whether the connection has heated up to the required temperature by placing the edge of the solder on it. If the solder immediately begins to melt, it means that it can already be introduced into the gap between the pipe and the fitting. In this case, you can move the solder rod either from right to left or from left to right - in any case, it will fill the gap and reliably connect the parts together.

The amount of solder required is determined very simply - by the diameter of the pipe. To do this, even before starting soldering, you can wrap the pipe with wire, which will act as solder, and cut off a piece of the required length from it.

Note! Fittings for capillary soldering are available for sale, inside of which there is already solder in the required quantity. Working with such fittings comes down to heating the joint to a temperature where the solder begins to melt. In this case, there is no need to add additional solder.

After soldering, the connection must cool under natural conditions. During this time, it should not be subjected to any mechanical stress. Only after the solder has completely hardened can the pipeline installation process continue.

Other connections are made in a similar way during the installation of a water supply or heating system at home. After the entire system is installed, it must be flushed hot water- this will help remove flux residues from inside the pipes. If this is not done, the composition remaining on the surface of the copper can lead to corrosion. copper elements. From the outside of the pipeline, you should also inspect all joints and, if there is any remaining flux or solder on them, clean them with a damp cloth.

Connecting copper pipes with elements made of other materials.

Often, when installing a private copper water supply, sewerage or heating system, it becomes necessary to use elements made from other materials. In this case, it should be remembered that in no case should direct contact of copper and galvanized steel be allowed due to the electrochemical processes that arise. As a result of such contact, corrosion processes on the surface of the steel develop at an accelerated pace, and it is destroyed. To avoid this, a brass fitting must be placed between the copper and steel sections of the pipeline. In addition, it is very important here that the galvanized steel parts in the pipeline are located in front of the copper ones - that is, the water circulating through the works first passes through the steel section and then enters the copper section. But contact of copper with plastic, brass or acid-resistant steel is safe from this point of view and does not affect the service life of the pipeline.

Copper pipes are connected in three ways: using compression fittings, by capillary soldering and using press fittings. Each of these methods has its pros and cons. It all depends on the exact conditions in which you plan to operate it. plumbing system.

Connections on crimp (compression) fittings

The main advantage of this technique is ease of installation and a minimum of auxiliary tools. Anyone can cope with such work, because you only need to tighten the nuts with two wrenches. Disadvantages of connection via fittings: limited maximum pressure(up to 10 BAR) at a system temperature of 100 degrees.

Connecting copper pipes with compression fittings

During installation, it is also extremely important to prevent the slightest distortion. If the fittings are intended for “soft” pipes, a special liner bushing is required. The last factor is extremely important, but it is often neglected.

Connections made by capillary soldering

Advantages of soldering joints: neatness and evenness of seams, minimal amount of solder required, affordable cost. Performance characteristics: maximum operating pressure 40 BAR at a maximum system temperature of 150 degrees. Capillary soldering requires a torch (propane or acetylene), flux, and solder. This method connecting copper pipes requires a person to have certain experience and knowledge.

From press fittings

Advantages of installation work without soldering: high reliability, average cost with quick payback. To perform work without soldering, using press fittings, a person requires a minimum of knowledge and skills. Connecting copper pipes in this way is a matter of minutes.

How to connect copper pipes to steel?

Traditionally, copper products are mounted with steel parts using crimp (compression) fittings. Working technology:

The fitting is disassembled, then a pipe is inserted into it, onto which a ferrule ring and a clamping nut are pre-attached.

Manually the nut is tightened all the way. It is important to ensure that there are no distortions. Based on the diameters of the copper pipe or the instructions specified in passport documents or special tables, the nut is tightened a certain number of turns using a wrench. Typically the number of turns is between ½ and ¼. It is important to follow the recommended speed. Otherwise, the pipe may become deformed.

Connecting copper products to steel parts is quite simple. If something remains unclear to you, we strongly recommend watching the training video, which describes in detail how to mount copper parts with steel pipes.

Installation technology

How to connect copper products?

1. The required section of the product is cut off, as in the previous version;
2. The outer and inner parts are cleaned of dirt using a special brush or sponge for copper;
3. The pipe is inserted into the capillary fitting as far as possible, flux is applied, the excess of which can be removed with a clean cloth;
4. The connection is heated by gas burner or a special construction hair dryer, solder is applied. The solder should melt and evenly fill the mounting gap;
5. We are waiting for the solder to cool naturally. Remains of flux are removed with a damp and clean cloth.

Now you know how to connect copper pipes in several ways. If anything about copper installation seems unclear to you, you can always study the instructional video. In principle, this work is quite simple and can be done independently, without resorting to the services of professionals.

Copper pipes and fittings are in demand due to their high durability and strength, as well as a number of other technical characteristics, ensuring uninterrupted operation of various communication networks.

1 Main features of copper utility networks

Russian and foreign companies currently produce fittings and pipes made of copper High Quality. Such products meet the requirements of European standards (ISO 9002, BS2, DIN), they are characterized by increased resistance to the pressure of working media flowing through pipelines, to high and low temperatures, to impacts external character during transportation and storage.

Copper utility networks are not afraid sun rays(this distinguishes them in better side from the now popular polymer structures), rust does not appear on them over time, which always forms on metal and steel pipelines. Their service life is at least a hundred years; you must agree, it is very difficult to find a higher quality and practically “eternal” material for arranging household and industrial communications.

Used for the construction of the following systems:

• air conditioning;
• heating;
• water supply (both cold and hot);
• gas distribution.

Private individuals, as a rule, use copper pipes when they install reliable and durable water supply networks in their homes. It is clear that connecting elements for such pipe products are most often also made of copper. Copper fittings are considered much more economical than metal fittings, since their manufacture requires less material.

The point is that when producing, for example, cast iron parts, their walls are initially designed to be thick - engineers leave a “reserve” for metal loss due to corrosion. But connecting elements made of copper can be made much thinner, because they are not affected by rust even after decades of use.

The demand for copper pipelines is due to other reasons:

• antiseptic properties of copper (the water in its supply systems is not affected by pathogenic microbes and organisms, which naturally improves the quality drinking water);
• ease of installation of pipes and connecting them to each other.

In addition, if the water in the pipes freezes, the line only becomes deformed and does not break, as is noted when steel and other products freeze. The destruction of copper structures is recorded only when they are exposed to a load of over 200 atmospheres (such pressure simply cannot exist in domestic systems).

2 Types of connecting elements for copper pipes

Modern fittings for copper networks come in the following types:

• threaded;
• self-fixing;
• compression (crimp);
• press fittings;
• capillary.

Press fittings for copper pipes are now almost never used to connect elements of copper pipelines. Firstly, their installation is carried out using a special press, which costs a lot. Secondly, such fittings were originally created to connect plastic and metal-plastic structures. It makes sense to use press parts for copper pipes only if it is impossible to perform high-quality soldering of pipes or mount them with other types of connecting elements.

In this article we will look in detail at other fittings (compression, threaded, etc.), but first we note that when installing copper products, you must always use materials of a homogeneous structure. In this case utility network will be guaranteed to serve as long as possible and without breakdowns. In other words, the connection of copper pipes should be done with copper fittings, and other materials should be used only as needed.

If dissimilar materials are used, the following rules for installing pipelines must be adhered to:

• Copper pipes in combined systems are always installed along the flow of water after steel or metal products.
• It is prohibited to connect copper with galvanized steel, as well as with pipes made of unalloyed alloys. This is due to the fact that in this case, processes of an electrochemical nature are formed in the system, which significantly accelerate the rusting of steel elements.
• The connection of products made of copper and its alloys with steels of the acid-resistant group is allowed. But it is better to replace metal pipes with polyvinyl chloride ones (if, of course, there is such an opportunity).

3 Threaded fittings for copper pipelines

It is recommended to install such connecting elements when the structure engineering system involves its periodic disassembly, repair (replacement of failed parts) and assembly. Threaded connection characterized by the presence of internal or external threads on it, designed to create a single line.

In terms of reliability and long-term operation, threaded fittings are less practical than compression or capillary fittings. They must be checked regularly, old elements must be dismantled and new elements installed. For this reason, such fittings can be installed in areas of the system that are easily accessible.

Options for threaded elements for arranging copper pipelines:

• couplings: with their help you can connect pipes from different materials, as well as straight sections of pipelines with different or identical sections of pipe products;
• 45 and 90 degree angles: necessary for turning the pipe at a given angle;
• outlet fittings;
• crosses, tees (otherwise called collectors): they allow you to maintain the main direction of the network and at the same time make any number of independent branches from it;
• caps and special plugs: make it possible to efficiently cover the ends of a copper communication system.

When installing new networks, it is advisable to use compression fittings, but modernization of pipelines and their major renovation It is better to do it with threaded elements.

4 Self-locking and compression fittings

These fittings, called crimp or push-in fittings, are a good replacement for push-in fittings. open fire. Push-in fittings consist of a set of sealing gaskets and rings, as well as a special ring for crimping the pipe. A completely sealed connection of pipe products made of different materials is ensured by the fact that wrench tighten the ferrule ring. Compression fittings can be made of steel, metal-plastic, brass or copper.

Crimping (collet) parts are indispensable for water supply systems that consist of pipes of different cross-sections. They are also in demand for the construction of networks from various materials. Although, recently, classic compression fittings have begun to be replaced by self-locking parts, since they are more preferable in terms of their operational capabilities.

Self-locking collet fittings are structures within which a whole system of rings is installed. Moreover, one ring must be equipped with teeth. When pressed with a special mounting wrench on this toothed element, it is secured in the adjacent ring, resulting in a truly strong connection.

Such compression fittings are dismantled as simply as they are installed, using the same key. Please note - compression products for copper pipes are always made of copper. At the same time, they are suitable for arranging pipelines made of any other metals and plastics.

5 Connecting copper pipes using the capillary method

The most popular method of truly reliable and durable connection of pipe structures made of copper is their soldering. This operation is based on the capillary effect. It states that liquid is able to rise up the capillary, overcoming the emerging force of gravity in cases where there is a certain distance between two surfaces.

In practice, this phenomenon allows the solder used to be evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the surface to be joined. Moreover, it does not matter in what spatial position the pipeline element is located. It is not at all difficult to feed solder not from above, but from below.

The technology of the capillary technique is as follows:

• the pipe connection is heated (using a burner);
• molten solder enters the gap between the connecting element and the pipe and completely fills it;
• the pipeline is allowed to cool;
• Using a cleaning composition, clean the external parts of the system.

This can be considered complete - the system is ready to perform its tasks! Copper and metal pipes are installed using capillary technology. If a steel fitting is used, a special flux should be applied to the soldering area in advance. The role of the material for solder is performed by a very thin tin or copper wire, which is placed under the thread of the fitting. In some cases, silver wire is also used.

Another important point. Push-in connections are installed without preliminary preparation of the products to be connected. But soldering can be done only after thoroughly removing dirt and dust from the edges of the pipes, as well as after degreasing the surface.

6 Features of rolling copper pipes

When constructing pipelines made of copper products using detachable connections, a special device called rolling is often used. Its second name is also common – flanging. Using this tool, you can perform rolling - an operation that makes it possible to modify the shape and geometric parameters of copper and other plastic materials without losing their operational properties.

Elementary rolling is an ordinary conical blank, which is placed in a pipe and then turned until it is bent to the desired shape. It is clear that such a device cannot be used in the construction of modern pipelines, since it does not provide uniform pressure on the walls and does not allow choosing a specific rolling force.

More effective is rolling with clamps and a cone that wrap around its own axis. This is the kind of tool that is recommended to be purchased for laying communications in your home. It is inexpensive, but the quality of work guarantees quite high. A clamp of this kind is equipped with either several holes suitable for certain pipe diameters, or one universal hole into which pipe products of a wide variety of sections can be inserted.

Professional specialists involved in the construction of pipelines usually use rolling with a safety ratchet and an eccentric. Before you start working with it, you will need to put the nuts on the pipe to be connected (they make it possible to make the required connection). Professional rolling deforms the metal by rolling the pipe (its inner surface) with an eccentric - a device with an offset center.

And the ratchet determines the greatest force that can be applied to the structure without causing the phenomenon of thinning the walls of the pipe and pushing it through. Strict adherence to the deformation force of copper is ensured by rolling the eccentric. This device does not leave small grooves or dents on the inner surface of the pipe. This means that the system will serve you for a very long time, because it is the presence of these flaws that significantly reduces the life of the communication (grooves and dents are those areas where there is a high probability of leaks).

Thus, rolling with an eccentric and a safety ratchet is rightfully considered the ideal tool for installing copper pipelines at an impeccable quality level. And most importantly, the whole process goes quickly and without excessive expenditure of physical effort.

Copper pipes are used in the installation of hot water supply, hot water supply, air conditioning, heating, and gas supply systems. They are expensive, but durable, flexible, and resistant to corrosion. But to engineering Communication of which have served for decades, the connection of copper pipes must be done correctly.

We will tell you how to install copper pipelines that ensure the tightness of the transported medium or circulating coolant. The article presented for review describes installation technologies in detail. Taking into account our advice, the construction of the systems will be completed “perfectly”.

To install internal pipelines in the house, you can choose a pipe made of plastic, metal-plastic or stainless steel. But only the copper analog can last for more than half a century without problems or major repairs.

Properly installed copper pipeline systems in practice work properly throughout the entire service life of a cottage or apartment building.

According to accident statistics, the fittings and solder joints used during installation are more reliable than the copper pipes themselves - if a breakthrough in the system occurs, it is only on the wall of the pipe product

Copper pipes are not afraid of long-term thermal loads, chlorine and ultraviolet. When they freeze, they do not crack, and when the temperature of the internal environment (water, wastewater, gas) changes, they do not change their geometry.

Unlike plastic analogues, they do not sag. This plastic is subject to expansion at high temperatures; this does not happen with copper by definition.

Copper pipe products have two disadvantages - high price and softness of the metal. However, the high cost of the material pays off with a long service life.

And to prevent the walls of the pipes from being damaged from the inside by erosion, filters must be installed in the system. If there are no contaminants in the water in the form of solid particles, then there will be no problems with the destruction of pipelines.

Requirements for pipe processing and welding

When working with copper pipes, the following rules must be observed:

1. When installing hot water supply or hot water supply by soldering, you should avoid using lead solder - lead is too toxic.
2. The water flow speed should be no higher than 2 m/s, otherwise the smallest particles of sand or other solid substance will gradually begin to destroy the walls of the pipe.
3. When using fluxes, after completion of installation, the pipeline system must be flushed - flux is an aggressive substance and will contribute to corrosion of copper pipe walls.
4. When soldering, do not allow the joint to overheat - this can lead not only to the formation of a leaky joint, but also to a loss of strength of the copper product.
5. Transitions of pipes from copper to other metals (steel and aluminum) are recommended to be made using brass or bronze adapter fittings - otherwise steel and aluminum pipes will quickly begin to corrode.
6. Burrs (metal deposits) and burrs at cutting sites must be removed - their presence leads to the formation of turbulent turbulence in the water flow, which contributes to erosion and reduces the service life of the copper pipeline.
7. When preparing copper pipes for connection, it is strictly forbidden to use abrasives - particles remaining inside after installation will lead to damage to the metal and the formation of a fistula.

If in the plumbing or heating system in a house, in addition to copper, there are also pipes or elements made of other metals, then the water flow should go from them to copper, and not vice versa. The flow of water from copper to steel, zinc or aluminum will lead to rapid electrochemical corrosion of the latter sections of the pipeline.

Copper pipes can be cut and bent without problems; even a novice master can handle connecting them into a single pipeline system. You just need to select the appropriate tools and follow the instructions

Due to the ductility and strength of the metal, copper pipes can be cut and bent without problems. Rotation of the pipeline can be done either by using a pipe bender or using fittings. And for the installation of branches and connections with various devices, there are many parts made of heat-resistant plastics, brass, stainless steel and bronze.

On the interaction of copper with other metals

In most private homes, domestic water pipes are assembled from steel and aluminum pipes. Heating systems also contain radiators made of steel or aluminum. Incorrect insertion into such copper pipe routing is fraught with considerable problems.

According to building codes, in order to exclude corrosion processes in a pipeline from pipes of different metals, the water flow must be directed towards the copper

Most best option installation is the use of pipes and devices exclusively made of copper and its alloys. Nowadays you can easily find bimetallic aluminum-copper radiators, as well as corresponding fittings and shut-off valves. It is worth combining different metals only in extreme cases.

If combination is inevitable, then copper should be the final element in the chain of pipeline elements. It is impossible to rid it of its ability to conduct electric current.

And in the presence of even a weak current, this metal creates galvanic pairs with steel, aluminum and zinc, which inevitably leads to their premature corrosion. When installing a water supply system, bronze adapters must be inserted between them.

Another potential problem is oxygen in the water. The higher its content, the faster the pipes corrode. This applies to pipelines both made of the same metal and those made of different ones.

Often, cottage owners make a serious mistake by frequently changing the coolant in the heating system. This only leads to the addition of completely unnecessary portions of oxygen. It is best not to completely change the water, but to add it when the need arises.

Mounting choice: detachable vs permanent

To form a single pipeline system, you can use several methods of connecting them. Various plumbers use crimp and press fittings, welding or soldering. But before you start work yourself, you need to decide whether the pipeline should be permanent or detachable.

There are three installation technologies for connecting copper pipes:

• electric welding;
• soldering using a torch or electric soldering iron;
• pressing.

All these technologies can be used in the formation of both detachable and one-piece systems. Here it is more a matter of using a variety of fittings and adapters or refusing them.

If a structure cannot be disassembled without destroying its individual parts, then it is considered one-piece - it turns out cheaper, but it is more difficult to repair.

If the pipeline system needs to be detachable, and also easier to repair and add new elements, then the connections must be made detachable.

Fittings are used for this:

• compression;
• threaded;
• self-fixing.

It is easier to make detachable connections yourself; you can even do without soldering. They do not require excessively high qualifications from the master.

However, such units require constant inspection and tightening of the nuts to prevent leaks. Changes in pressure and temperature in the system lead to weakening of the fasteners. And from time to time it is recommended to tighten them.

If access to copper pipes is planned to be tightly closed with finishing or concrete screed, then it is best to connect them into a one-piece structure by soldering or welding. This system is more reliable, durable and resistant to abrasions.

Carvings are prohibited on copper products. This metal is too soft in its structure. When installing a detachable pipeline, all threaded connections must be made using fittings. The latter can be connected to a copper pipe by pressing or soldering.

Before making connections, copper pipes are prepared in a special way:

Image gallery

Cutting a copper pipe is done with a hacksaw or pipe cutter. The cutting line must be exactly at a right angle

After cutting, the end of the pipe must be processed with a deburring tool to remove the slightest irregularities and burrs

The part of the pipe immersed in the socket prepared for soldering is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and degreased

Low-temperature soldering connections are mainly used in the assembly of pipelines from soft pipes R 220. They can withstand a pressure of 220 N/mm², which does not exceed the operating parameters in domestic heating and water supply networks

To perform low-temperature soldering, pipes and solder just need to be heated with a standard blowtorch.

Copper pipes are a universal material that is used almost everywhere: in the creation of water supply systems, gas pipelines, and heating systems. They are not afraid of chlorinated water, which makes them especially attractive for installing city water supply networks. Copper is not afraid of corrosion and has a very long service life.

Installation of a copper pipeline is carried out using a variety of different types connections, and this is not only welding and soldering, but also the use of compression (crimp) elements.

Advantages and disadvantages of compression fittings

Connecting copper pipes with compression fittings is convenient because it does not require high temperature and special equipment.

This means that they can be used to install pipes in hard to reach places, the only tools you will need are:

• spanners,
• calibrator,
• cutter.

The work time is reduced, labor costs are reduced, and the resulting system turns out to be completely sealed and durable.

However, this design is not without drawbacks. Compression fittings need to be checked and tightened periodically and should not be concreted.

They are designed for low blood pressure in the system and are therefore considered less reliable than soldering. The design is reusable, that is, it can be disassembled and reassembled, but in practice, reconnection is unreliable, and it will soon have to be replaced.

Design and principle of operation of a compression fitting

A compression fitting for copper pipes consists of several parts:

• housings;
• crimp nut;
• ferrule ring.

Crimping rings (usually one or two are used) are designed to create hermetic connection and provide it with resistance to high pressure and durability. Thanks to them, the structure becomes resistant to vibration fatigue and can serve for many years.

High-quality crimp fittings for copper pipes can last up to 50 years.

Advice!
It is better to choose parts in which special EPD M material is used for connecting rings, rather than ordinary rubber, as they will last much longer.

Compression fittings are made from:

• brass,
• copper,
• plastic,
• metal

In this case, brass connecting elements are most often used, since this material is easy to process and costs less than pure copper. It is inferior in strength to stainless steel, but it is much easier to install.

Sometimes brass fittings are additionally treated with nickel to increase resistance to various influences.

When choosing, pay attention to the weight of the product; this indicator should not be too light. You can ask the seller for a quality certificate; in addition, professionals advise immediately choosing parts from a well-known manufacturer.

This ensures that you do not waste your money and that the installed system is reliable. Many people advise using a brass fitting for HDPE pipes, since it is not subject to corrosion, but provides a greater margin of safety than plastic.

Types of compression fittings

IN various systems pipelines, several types of connecting devices are used, which you can see in the photo:

• tees(used when creating a one-way branch);
• crosspieces(installation of double-sided branches);
• couplings(connect two sections of pipe of the same diameter);
• bends(used to create 45 degree turns);
• stubs(installed at the end of a pipe section).

If it is intended to connect pipes of the same diameter, then direct connecting devices are used, and if they are different, transitional ones are used.

Installation of compression fittings on copper pipes

Since this type of connection does not require special equipment, it is quite possible to do it yourself.

In the European classification, there are two types of components, marked with the letters A and B.

1. Type A used only for the installation of above-ground piping systems made of semi-solid copper or stainless steel.
2. Type B used for underground and above-ground communications, it is designed for soft and semi-hard copper grades with a thick wall.

Installation instructions for different types require strict adherence certain rules to make the connection as reliable as possible.

Installation of Type A compression fittings

1. Select the desired element size. This is not difficult to do, since all connecting structures are manufactured according to a single European standard in accordance with the nomenclature;
2. Cut the pipe and remove the burrs. Check the cut with a gauge. Make sure there is no dirt, rough edges or scratches on the surface. A crimp ring is placed on the pipe; you can moisten the joint with water to prevent the seal from tearing or slipping;
3. Insert the pipe into the fitting until it stops. Tighten the clamp nut by hand first and then use a wrench.

Advice!
Excessive use of force is not required here, since this will not make the connection more airtight. When using cheap parts, the ring may be squeezed out, in which case the fitting will have to be completely replaced.

As a result of the actions taken, the pipe should be only slightly deformed, and this confirms that the connection is made airtight. The video in this article will show in detail in practice all the stages of work to create a durable structure.

Installation of Type B Compression Fittings

Fittings of the second type are mounted in approximately the same way. The cut is cleaned of dirt; it is important to ensure that the threads in the new fitting are clean. You can just grease it a little with machine oil to make it easier to wrap. The seal cone must be pressed against the inner edge of the tube; the edge of the tube itself must be flared.

It is important to choose the right wrench and make sure that it is not loose, otherwise you can easily damage the nut. For example, if a connection with a diameter of 54 mm is required, it is better to take a wrench 750 mm long.

Features of connecting copper pipes

The price of a copper pipeline is quite high, so it is recommended to follow several rules when choosing materials.

• It is better that they are uniform, this will increase the service life of the entire structure.
• Copper cannot be combined with unalloyed steels. Because of this, electrochemical processes begin between metals that are detrimental to the connection. Steel elements and even galvanized steel in this case begin to suffer from corrosion.
• As a last resort, if a dissimilar connection cannot be avoided, they are installed in front of the copper ones in the direction of the water flow.
• Copper pipes combine well with PVC pipeline parts, in this case there will be no negative consequences for the connection.
• PVC pipes for sewerage are increasingly replacing metal ones, as they are cheaper, easier to install, and at the same time practically not inferior to them in strength and durability.

Conclusion

Compression fittings for connecting copper pipes are used quite often, as it is both convenient and profitable. But it is important not to skimp on the quality of parts, otherwise the need for repairs will arise very soon. The more responsible you are in selecting and installing components, the longer they will ultimately serve you.