Table 1 lists the many varieties of copper tube that can be used in fuel gas distribution systems in the United States, as well as their identification and availability. For many years, Types K and L copper tube (ASTM B 88) and ACR tube (ASTM B 280) with outside diameters up to and including 1 inch have been employed in fuel gas systems. Type L is typically used for interior distribution systems, while Type K is typically utilized for any underground lines. Seamless copper tube Type GAS (ASTM B 837) is routinely used and needed in Canada for gas distribution systems, despite not being widely used in the United States.
Table 2 shows the size of copper tubing used in gas systems. Outside diameter (O.D.) is used to identify tube and fittings in fuel gas systems rather than nominal diameters. In their references and when ordering, designers and installers should be explicit about size designations.
If the gas contains more than 0.3 grains of hydrogen sulfide per 100 standard cubic feet (scf) of gas (0.7 mg/100 L), copper and copper alloy tube (excluding tin-lined copper tube) should not be utilized.
Is copper tubing safe to use with propane?
Copper tubing and fittings were approved for use in gas distribution systems, including propane, by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) in 1999.
What is the finest propane gas line to use?
The service plumbing, also known as the yard line, is the gas line that travels between the tank and the structure that houses the gas appliances. Copper tubing or plastic polyethylene piping are commonly used in propane yard lines. For the entire exterior section of the installation to be safe and serviceable, the service piping must be installed appropriately and legally in conjunction with the propane tank.
The visible portion of the yard line is where it emerges from the ground adjacent to the tank, as well as where it enters the structure or links to a source of usage, such as a generator or pool heater. For any section of a propane gas service line, only certified materials and fittings should be utilized. PVC, rubber hose, and flex lines are prohibited and should not be utilized in any component of the gas service line.
What size propane pipe do I need?
Section 1 requires 1/2 inch pipe to feed outlets A and B, or 35 cubic feet per hour. Section 2 requires 1/2 inch pipe to serve outputs A, B, and C, or 94 cubic feet per hour. 3/4 inch pipe is required in Section 3 to supply outlets A, B, C, and D, or 230 cubic feet per hour.
What is the best way to connect copper pipe to propane?
If you’re going to use copper pipe lines outside, bury them at least 12 inches underground. If there is or may be vehicle traffic above the wires, bury them at least 18 inches underground.
Turn on the gas and connect the modified or new propane line to the tank. If you notice any leaks, turn off the gas at the tank, wait until you can no longer smell gas, and then fix the leak by installing a new fitting or tightening the current ones.
Disconnect the current propane lines from the propane tank and relieve any pressure in them.
Cut the existing or new line where the fitting will be installed (“T” or valve). Slide a threaded fitting over the line’s end and use the flaring tool to flare it. Rep for the remaining lines that connect the fitting.
With the crescent wrenches, thread the fittings together and tighten them down. Tighten all of the lines to all of the relevant equipment.
For a gas stove, what size propane line do I need?
Installing a gas range or water heater is a straightforward task that requires only a few basic tools and widely available materials. You can also complete the job safely yourself if you use the correct supplies and follow the instructions carefully. For a hook-up, a professional may charge as much as a few hundred dollars.
In this post, we’ll teach you how to hook up a gas range with a flexible, corrugated connector (a gas clothes dryer is similar), and how to hook up a water heater with threaded black steel gas pipe.
Most home centers and well-stocked hardware stores carry flexible corrugated gas connections as well as gas pipe and fittings (black). Flexible connections made of stainless steel or coated brass are the only ones marketed these days, and the only ones you can use safely and legally. Corrugated connectors constructed of uncoated brass or other metal, which were sold until the 1980s, have been shown to be dangerous. Do you have one in your home? Now is the time to replace it!
The most crucial step in ensuring a secure installation is to get the appropriate connector. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
- Purchase a connector that is clearly labeled “range” or “dryer” for the equipment you’re connecting. A range connector’s corrugated tube is usually 1/2 in. dia. i.d. (inside diameter), while a dryer connector’s corrugated tube is 3/8 in. dia. i.d. These measurements are not always printed on the package, but they will be for either the range or the dryer.
- Purchase a connector that includes the end connector fittings you require (see Photo 3). The gas line into your kitchen is usually 1/2-in. black threaded pipe, with a male (external threads) or female (internal threads) 1/2-in. fitting connecting it to the stove. Use a black gas pipe fitting on the line to accommodate the end connector fitting if you can’t find a connector package with end fittings that match what you need for the gas line. On the gas line, for example, we show a 1/2-in. x 3/4-in. coupling to accommodate the 3/4-in. end connector fitting in Photos 2 and 3. (See How to Connect Gas Pipe Lines for further information on possible connections and how to connect to soft copper supply lines.)
- Use a long connector to give yourself enough of room to work between the gas stove and the wall. They are available in lengths ranging from 24 to 60 inches.
- A flexible connector should not be reused; if you obtain a new appliance, you should also purchase a new connector. Follow the connector installation instructions to the letter. Our photos 1 through 5 show how this is done in real life. Here are a few more guidelines:
- Avoid kinking or forcing the corrugated connector into abrupt bends, as this could cause it to break.
- Always look for leaks in your work (Photo 6). Gas leak detectors can be found in home improvement stores, hardware stores, and on the internet.
- Although it is not always necessary to have a range hookup tested, we strongly advise you to get your work checked by a local gas company or plumbing inspector.
What’s the difference between copper tubing Type L and Type K?
Copper tubing is a popular choice for plumbing, heating, cooling, and other systems because of its durability. It is manufactured in the United States to meet the criteria of ASTM International regulations.
All tube supplied in accordance with these ASTM requirements is at least 99.9% pure copper. UNS C12200 or DHP1 Copper is the copper that is commonly used for tube provided to these requirements since it has been deoxidized with phosphorus. Other coppers could be utilized as well.
The six typical forms of copper tube are shown in Table 14.1 along with their most prevalent applications.
2 The chart also includes the ASTM Standard for each type’s usage, as well as a list of commercially available lengths, diameters, and tempers.
ASTM standard sizes are used to designate Types K, L, M, DWV, and Medical Gas tubes, with the actual outside diameter always being 1/8-inch greater than the standard size designation. Each kind corresponds to a range of sizes with varying wall thicknesses. For any given diameter, Type K tubes have thicker walls than Type L tubes, and Type L tubes have thicker walls than Type M tubes. The interior diameter of a tube is determined by its size and wall thickness.
Actual outside diameter is used to identify copper tube for air-conditioning and refrigeration field service (ACR).
The tube’s strength and hardness are described by the term “temper.” Drawn temper tube is typically referred to as “hard” tube in the pipe trades, while annealed tube is referred to as “soft” tube. Soldering or brazing, employing capillary fittings, or welding are the most common methods of joining hard temper tube.
Tube in the soft temper can be linked using the same techniques, and flare-type and compression fittings are widely used. It is also feasible to enlarge the end of one tube so that it can be soldered or brazed to another tube without the use of a capillary fitting, which is a method that can be efficient and cost-effective in many applications.
Tubes in both hard and soft tempers can be attached using a variety of “mechanical” joins that don’t require the use of a heat source like soldering and brazing.
What is the purpose of Type K copper tubing?
In the construction sector, copper pipes are often used for water supply lines and refrigerant lines in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. Copper pipes are available in two types: soft and rigid, and they provide good corrosion resistance and reliable connections. Type K, Type L, and Type M are the three most prevalent varieties of copper pipe used in residential and commercial construction. Some older properties include a fourth kind, which is used for drain-waste-vent, or DWV, pipe.