Quick-release couplings on American ones: what they are, how they are installed

What is “American” in plumbing: design and characteristics

“American” in plumbing, the correct name of which is a union nut, is a connection element for various pipelines with internal and external threads. With the help of such an element, joining pipes is quick and convenient. Structurally, the “American” has the following elements:

• Quick release threaded hex nut;
• Two fittings, also threaded;
• Paronite, rubber or polyurethane gasket (some models, for example conical, are not equipped with it).

To put it simply, an “American” is a coupling with a collar and a union nut that rests against the collar. Thus, the American plumbing system provides a coupling connection of pipes by rotating one nut. The connection is disassembled in a similar way.

“American” in plumbing is designed for operating temperatures up to +120 degrees Celsius, and the maximum pressure is usually indicated on the body.

The surface of the “American” is coated with nickel, which prevents corrosion and damage, and also improves the appearance of the product. If you work with this fitting carelessly and with a rough tool, its surface may become scratched.

Why do you need “American” in plumbing: main areas of application

Since the “American” is a fairly universal fitting that has a number of undeniable advantages, it is no coincidence that its use in plumbing has become the most widespread in plumbing installation work. The versatility of the “American” is manifested in its unequal modifications for different cases, and in the fact that it is used as part of some complex plumbing devices: taps, switching units, measuring instruments, etc.

In household plumbing, “American” is used on water meters, which are found in almost every apartment. Thanks to this device, when replacing or checking the meter, there are no problems with pipes - only the union nuts are unscrewed.

“American” is perfect for working with batteries, shut-off valves and various types of filters. The use of this fitting in plumbing will reduce the duration of repairs, which is important for both craftsmen and residents.

Since the “American” allows you to create connections with excellent sealing, it is used in high pressure and temperature pipelines. But this connection element is most widespread during the installation of plastic, polypropylene and metal-plastic pipes. At the same time, you can connect any types of pipes: plastic and plastic, plastic and metal, metal and metal - there is a fitting for each pair. What plumbers value most about the “American” is the ability to connect metal-plastic pipes without any preparation: when the pipe is inserted into the union nut and tightened, the mating part is compressed by a conical ring.

To install the “American”, open-end and ring wrenches are used. Since the surface of this fitting is coated with nickel, in order to protect this layer from scratches, it is better not to use pipe wrenches or use a protective wooden (or plastic) gasket.

American polypropylene coupling: varieties

The spread of polypropylene, which has proven its merits in laying pipelines and installing plumbing products, has created a need for appropriate fittings with various configurations. American pipes for polypropylene pipelines are made in the form of:

• soldered couplings. These are especially recommended for installation of household water supply;
• water outlets;
• corners at 90º and 45º. This is how pipes with different internal cross-sections are joined. Corners of this type are installed, as a rule, in areas laid from a water source to housing construction and utility rooms;
• tees and angles for connecting pipes of the same diameter. Their use allows you to give the required configuration to the pipeline network being laid, avoiding excessive consumption of materials;
• stubs;
• crosspieces In conditions where it is necessary to connect several different-level circuits, the use of cross connections allows you to minimize pipe consumption and reduce the cost of laying the system;
• saddles Making branches from the main pipeline becomes possible using pipes of different diameters;
• adapters;
• ball valves. Ball valves are successfully replacing conventional plumbing fittings. The reliability of ball valves as shut-off valves and, most importantly, the ability to be placed in hard-to-reach places greatly contribute to their spread.

American comes with different types of fittings, including ball valves

The variety of configurations makes it possible to successfully use the American one for metal-plastic pipes.

"American": advantages of connection

• Compactness, which a drive with a coupling cannot boast of.
• Versatility. Using different types, it is possible to install connections with internal and external threads, as well as corner and straight connections for pipes of different diameters.
• Speed ​​of installation. Essentially, the connection is made by tightening the nut.
• Reusable. The “American” in plumbing can be dismantled and reinstalled on another section of the pipeline. In this case, only the gasket is changed (if present).
• Easy installation in hard-to-reach places.
• High degree of reliability and sealing.
• The ability to quickly clear a blockage in a pipe.
• When using a cone connection using an “American” connection on a pair of metal pipes, the use of a gasket is not required. In this way, the service life of the pipes is increased.

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.

What types of “American” plumbing are there?

“American” plumbing products are represented on the market in a fairly wide range. They differ from each other in material, size, type of thread and fastening. Each type of pipeline has its own specific “American” one.

Types of American connection fasteners

Conical

The cone connection of the fittings provides maximum tightness without requiring gaskets. Also, such joints are immune to temperature fluctuations in the pipe. Another advantage of such a connection is the preservation of tightness when the pipe axes deviate, if the angle does not exceed 5 degrees. The cone connection is best suited for installing a thermostat on a heating radiator. Since the tapered joint does not contain a gasket, the regulator will be more resistant to leaks due to temperature changes.

It is still recommended to wrap the conical connection with FUM tape in several layers. In the absence of a gasket, this measure eliminates leaks at the joint.

Cylindrical (flat)

This is the most common type of “American” in plumbing. This type is used in most pipelines. In this connection, tightness is ensured thanks to the union nut that creates the tie and the gasket.

Sometimes flat washers are found on some plumbing fixtures. In this case, the connection will be less reliable, and there is a possibility of its depressurization. Therefore, it is better to install a connection with flat washers in an accessible place and not put it into the walls.

There are also two types of American threaded connection

Direct

. Suitable for installation of straight pipes

.

Angular

. Used when joining two pipes at right angles. Connects perpendicularly located pipes.

Depending on size

There are “American” 1 inch, ½ inch and ¾ inch.

Features of the American crane

With proper manufacturing quality, a ball valve is the most popular and best type of shut-off valve. There are many such taps on the plumbing market: special taps, with threads inside and outside on both one and both sides, decorative taps, American ball valves, etc.

Despite the fact that the American faucet is not uncommon, it is not widely used in plumbing work. This comes from ignorance of all the advantages of this type of faucet, the main one of which is the ability to install plumbing without the use of a plumbing fitting, which includes a long thread, a coupling, a lock nut and a counter thread. Thus, using an “American” crane, we, only by rotating a wrench, get the joining of two self-centering parts. It's simple.

American ball valves are also used when installing heating radiators. The radiator, connected on both sides through an American tap, can be easily removed. It is also very easy to manually adjust the coolant supply, and therefore regulate the heating of the radiator itself.

The American angle crane deserves attention. Lately, it is increasingly appearing on sale. Such a device easily replaces in some cases an excessive number of connections.

The American faucet, like other faucets, has two types of handles - lever and butterfly. The butterfly is installed on small-section taps, where little force is required to turn. The lever, on the contrary, is mounted on a large-section crane, where it is necessary to apply more force to turn it.

Read material on the topic: How to choose a bath faucet: 12 tips

What materials is “American” made from?

American women are made from the following materials:

• Cast iron;
• Chroma;
• Nickel;
• Brass (“American” ones are chosen from this material by specialists, since brass keeps the coolant temperature up to 120 degrees; in brass “American” some parts can be made of nickel or chromium);
• Stainless steel grades ISI304, AISI316, AISI321 (marking contains information about the size in inches, steel grade and nominal pressure);
• Combined, using propylene parts.

Also in plumbing there are “American” ones that differ in diameter and overall design. They are used in hot and cold water systems. Corner “American” in plumbing is necessary for installing various elements in hard-to-reach places.

Of the above materials, “American” stainless steel has the greatest strength. Nevertheless, most plumbers choose “American” ones made of chrome, as this material provides greater practicality and quality. Also, elements made of this metal do not require gaskets to ensure tightness.

By type of materials used

Installation of water supply systems using a coupling requires the use of homogeneous elements, primarily in order to avoid electrolytic corrosion, therefore fittings are produced in various designs:

1. Steel - the main disadvantage of the material is its susceptibility to corrosion. The life cycle of such parts is also limited by the tendency for lime deposits to form from water on internal surfaces.
2. Copper - less susceptible to corrosion, used only on pipelines made of the same material.
3. Brass - the most popular in use, are resistant to oxidation, durability is at least 50 years.
4. Polypropylene - in terms of strength characteristics and ease of use, they are increasingly competing with metal products.
5. Polymer - have all the advantages of plastic products. For polypropylene pipes, American is the best type of connection.
6. Combined - used as adapters when joining metal pipes with plastic pipes when partially replacing a pipeline. To make such fittings, a metal threaded part is pressed into a plastic body.

How to install "American"

In plumbing, the “American” (threaded) connection is extremely easy to install. “American” will allow even a novice plumber or an ordinary person to install or replace a plumbing element.

The most suitable place for installing pipes is one where there is access for anyone carrying out this work. In this case, the direction of the coolant does not matter.

Installing “American” (plumbing) into the main line will not cause much trouble. Let's imagine that we need to join steel pipes.

The connection using the “American” takes place in the following order.

1. It is necessary to prepare the ends of the pipes - cut at least 7 turns of thread.
2. Select a connection with female thread fittings.
3. Screw a fitting with an external thread onto one of the pipes, the threads of which have a winding made of flax, tow or energy flex applied to them.
4. Place the union nut on the fitting with the collar, and then screw it onto another pipe with the applied winding.
5. Connect the union nut to the thread of the mating fitting.

After these steps, the structure will be assembled. Compared to the coupling connection, the installation of the “American” in plumbing consisted only of tightening the parts. The rest of the highway remained motionless.

“American” with external thread is mounted using the same algorithm, with the exception that the winding is applied to the “American” thread.

Advantages and disadvantages

Having examined the features of American plumbing and answered the question of what it is, we can dwell on the advantages and disadvantages of these devices.

First, let's look at their advantages:

1. reliability and strength of the connection, absolute tightness of the connection;
2. simplicity and high speed of installation, which involves tightening one or two nuts;
3. a dismountable connection that can be easily removed and put back;
4. the ability to join pipes made of materials of different structures;
5. a wide range of products of different configurations with seals included;
6. long service life of a structure assembled using American steel.

Fittings in this category have no technical disadvantages. The high cost confuses craftsmen with low incomes, but it is justified by the high quality of the product. As for changing the color of products made of non-ferrous and ferrous metal, they are installed in technological channels, covered with panels and boxes.

What key is needed for the “American”

You can install “American” in plumbing without loss of quality and convenience using different tools. But this cannot be said that there are no restrictions in their choice. The most suitable and often used for installing the “American” is an adjustable wrench.

To install this fitting in plumbing, you should avoid using gas wrenches at all costs.

Recently, a universal tool has appeared that is most suitable for installing pipes in plumbing, including “American” ones. This wrench is used for a wide variety of jobs, which clearly proves its convenience and practicality.

The most common “American” sizes in plumbing are ¾ inches and ½ inches. This generally does not mean that you will not have a need for other types of this fitting. In this case, you need to purchase a key of the appropriate size or use an adjustable one. The main thing is not to use a gas wrench under any circumstances.

If you know how to work with metal and have the necessary tools, then you can make a cone wrench of the required size yourself. The taper is needed to fit into the recesses.

The shape of the key will be L-shaped, the handle will be about 150 mm long. The dimensions of the key for the “American” in ½ inch plumbing will be 12x12 mm and 10x10 mm. As a rule, such keys are made from scraps of profile reinforcement.

A good alternative when a plumber works with ½-inch “American” would be pliers, which, as a rule, everyone has. They are a great replacement for a set of keys.

Read material on the topic: Engineering plumbing wholesale: range and prices