Over 698,000 strictly plumbing related posts
Plumbing education, information, advice, help and suggestions are provided by some of the most experienced plumbers who wish to "give back" to society. Since 1996 we have been the best online (strictly) PLUMBING advice site. If you have questions about plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, drains, sewers, water filters, venting, water heating, showers, pumps, and other strictly PLUMBING related issues then you've come to the right place. Please refrain from asking or discussing legal questions, or pricing, or where to purchase products, or any business issues, or for contractor referrals, or any other questions or issues not specifically related to plumbing. Keep all posts positive and absolutely no advertising. Our site is completely free, without ads or pop-ups and we don't tract you. We absolutely do not sell your personal information. We are made possible by:
Author:
sum (FL)
when do you use long sweep elbows in a copper supply line?
or are these for special applications?
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
packy (MA)
when you screw up and cut something too short, they save the day.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
bernabeu (SC)
or when you wish to reduce turbulence INSIDE the tubing - ie. best practice
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
When you are not in a tight spot and money is no object.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
vic (CA)
Bernabeu's thoughts about less turbulence are right on.
When I worked for L.A. County Mechanical Department in the early 1970's quality was most important and cost to the tax payer was never a consideration and so we mainly used long sweep copper 90's (as well as exclusively using type K copper pipe).
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
hj (AZ)
If the fluid's velocity is not excessive, turbulence is seldom a problem.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
vic (CA)
Right on hj. Note that the velocity in type K compared to L and M will be faster/increased due to having a narrow inside.
That said I'm not suggesting that long sweeps need to be used in most cases.
Is using long sweeps "better" than short sweeps? I'd say so however in virtually all cases not necessary.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
bernabeu (SC)
oversized piping results in too low velocity and 'stagnation'
undersized piping results in too high velocity which 'erodes' piping and causes turbulence in changes of direction resulting in HIGH erosion
copper tube is 'rated / designed' for 2-6 ft per sec velocity with 3-1/2 being 'ideal'
sooooo, if you think that a 'branch' will 'barely' meet demand then use long radius fittings for any change in direction
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
|
Post Reply
|
Please note:
- Inappropriate messages or blatant advertising will be deleted. We cannot be held responsible for bad or inadequate advice.
- Plbg.com has no control over external content that may be linked to from messages posted here. Please follow external links with caution.
- Plbg.com is strictly for the exchange of plumbing related advice and NOT to ask about pricing/costs, nor where to find a product (try Google), nor how to operate or promote a business, nor for ethics (law) and the like questions.
- Plbg.com is also not a place to ask radiant heating (try HeatingHelp.com), electrical or even general construction type questions. We are exclusively for plumbing questions.
Search for plumbing parts on our sponsor's site:
Special thanks to our sponsor: