Different Types of Water Pipe Fittings for Plastic Pipeworks

When it comes to installing the pipe network for water supply or management, one of the most highly recommended materials is plastic. The high quality plastic pipes and fittings are adequately reliable to withstand the high volume and pressure of such systems and also resist corrosion and damage. Whatever the application of plastic pipes, it must be kept in mind that they can be joined either using cements or compression or insert type fittings. As their names suggest, insert fittings fit tightly inside the pipes while compression fittings go over on the outside of the pipes, creating lower friction problems and reducing the chances of stress fracture.  Let us look at some of the common types of plastic pipe fittings:

1.    Push fit couplings: A simple connector for joining two plastic pipes is known as a coupling.  The push fit coupling has the advantage of being easy to install. Usually these are of insert type and in case the pipes are of different diameters, then a reducing coupling may be used which will help make the connection seamless.

2.    Adapters: This type of water pipe fittings have a combination of insert fitting or compression fitting at one end and a slip or thread joint at the other to help pipes of different widths and diameters connect with ease.

3.    Crosses: Four-way water pipe connectors are known as crosses. In plastic pipes, generally insert type of crosses are used to ensure the joint is accurate and does not slip.

4.    Plugs: Connectors which are used to close an end of the pipe are known as plugs. In the case of pipes, these are of compression type.

5.    Tees: As the name suggests, these types of fittings are shaped like the English alphabet ‘T’ and can be of compression or insert type.

6.    Y-type fittings: Another type of water pipe fitting used to divert connections at an angle is the Y fitting. Slightly more aligned at an angular level as compared to the Tee fittings, the Y fitting is often used in simpler connections.

7.    Elbows: When pipe networks are to be bent, connectors known as elbows are used. For plastic pipes, elbows may be of both compression and insert type and can have slip or threaded ends.

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