My house is about 10 years old and has a decent run of black pipe for natural gas appliances. The pipe is located in the ceiling of a currently unfinished basement. While doing some work on a gas log set, I discovered that one of the runs of 3/4" dia pipe is coupled with a merchant coupling, aka thread protector, rather than a banded coupling. I don't believe the coupling is leaking, but I don't like the idea of a throw away fitting used in the gas piping. There are some serious wrench marks on the pipe adjacent to the coupling which suggests that the installer might have had a problem getting it sealed.
My question is should I take out this junk fitting and replace it with a proper coupling? Or should I just leave it alone? I am a little hesitant to take it out because it would be a significant effort. I would have to take apart everything up to that point just to get to the junk fitting and to avoid a left-right fitting to put the pipe back together.
Goto BH to know more.
Merchant Coupling
A merchant coupling is used to join pipes together in a straight-line run. They are used most often in low-pressure piping situations, like with water, oil, air, or gas lines. Merchant couplings typically do not stand up well in situations where high pressure is involved. These couplings are generally made of steel tubing and are most often found in carbon, galvanized, stainless or black.
Long Continuous Runs
Merchant couplings are often said to be little more than thread protectors. In reality, they are much more than that as they join together your pipe so that you can have long and continuous runs of pipe in various situations. Merchant couplings are best used in situations where 150psi or less is in use.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website thread protectors pipe.
These couplings also work best in situations where temperatures are moderate. They also come in tapered or non-tapered styles. Where a solid and tight seal between two pipes is called for, then using the tapered style is best as it will form a tighter seal as it is screwed on. Straight-line merchant couplings are less likely to form the tight seal you may need. In the end, your merchant coupling will also need to be welded onto your pipe. Most merchant couplings will come with a chamfered end to help compensate for the welding necessary to your coupling.
Any time that strength is needed to continue straight line runs is where you want to use merchant couplings. Since merchant couplings are made of stronger steel rather than malleable steel their use is needed rather than some other types of coupling.
Your Manufacturer For Merchant Couplings
At Detroit Nipple Works we have many years of experience in the manufacture of merchant couplings. Let us help you to determine which type of merchant couplings will be best for your particular use. Don&#;t make the error of using the wrong type of pipe coupling that will not stand up to your application. As they always say: do it right the first time. It is our goal to help assure that you have the right pipe nipples on your job.
Contact us for all of your fittings, pipe nipples, pipes and tubing or valves. We have the experience to help assure that your job stands out as one done right.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of 2 axis cnc. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.