American for heating pipes. An effective and reliable fitting for connecting pipes - American: types and features of application in plumbing

When carrying out any plumbing work, we are often faced with the need to connect various pipelines to each other. To perform such operations, many connecting elements have been invented, the most famous of which is the drive. However, this type of connection is far from ideal, and working with it is very laborious. It is much more convenient and faster to work with such a type of connection as an American, because it provides for almost everything to ensure the reliability and tightness of products. Therefore, let's talk about an American tap: what it is, what parts it consists of, where it is used, how it is used correctly.

Let's find out what an American in plumbing is, and on what principle it works.

An American is a connecting element designed for quick and convenient joining of pipelines from various materials with an internal or external thread. The product is structurally composed of the following components:

• quick-release hex nut with thread;
• 2 fittings, also threaded;
• rubber, polyurethane or paronite gasket (in some models, in particular, in conical ones, it may not be).

In fact, this is a coupling that has a shoulder and a union nut that abuts against this shoulder. Coupling connection of pipes American allows you to connect two pipe sections by turning just one nut. Similarly, a connection can be disassembled.

Connectors are available in stainless steel, brass alloys, cast iron, combinations of stainless steel and polypropylene. Products are able to withstand temperatures of the working environment up to +120 degrees. The allowable pressure is usually indicated on the body of the product.

The outer surface of the American has a decorative nickel coating that protects the product from corrosion and mechanical damage, and also has an aesthetic appeal. If you use too coarse tools to work with an American, then scratches may appear on the surface of the product.

Advantages

• The installation of the connection is very fast. To do this, simply tighten the union nut;
• A detachable connection with an American union nut makes it possible to dismantle it and reuse it for other sections of pipelines. In this case, it is only necessary to replace the gasket, if any;
• During installation, it is not necessary to rotate the connected pipes;
• High quality connection is provided;
• In the event of a clogged pipeline with an American connecting nut, it can be disassembled and the blockage can be eliminated in a very short time.

Application of the American

Detachable connection American is used for many types of installation work. With its help, heating systems, water supply pipelines, flow systems are mounted. The connection is actively used to connect pipes through which non-aggressive liquid substances are transported. Plumbing "American" is installed on steel, and. Recently, combination fittings with union nuts have become very popular, for the manufacture of which a combination of metal and polypropylene is used.

Speaking about the American connection - what it is, it should be noted that this type of connection is not limited to a threaded coupling. The quick-release nut may also have various faucets or air vents. And what is an American crane - what is it and where is it used? It can be any valve, for example, a ball valve. On one side it has a thread for joining with the pipeline, and on the other side there is a union nut. Such a crane can be easily embedded, and just as easily dismantled from the system.

In practice, we constantly deal with mixers that use the American principle. are connected into a single structure precisely with the help of union nuts.

What types are

There are many modifications of the product, differing in the material of manufacture, size, type of thread, type of fastening. For different options for pipelines, a specific type of American is selected.

An American type quick coupling uses 2 types of fasteners:

1. cone mount. The joints of the threaded fittings are made in the form of a cone, so their maximum tightness is ensured even in the absence of a gasket. Such joints are resistant to temperature fluctuations. They are able to provide tightness even in cases where there are small deviations of the axes of the connected pipes (no more than 5 degrees). If it is necessary to install a thermostat for a radiator, then it is advisable to give preference to the conical version. The absence of gaskets allows the product to withstand significant temperature spikes without the threat of leaks.

Tip: Despite the fact that the gasket is not used for the conical connection, it is recommended to wrap the conical surface with several layers of FUM tape. This guarantees the tightness of the joint.

2. Cylindrical (flat) mount. This is a classic American version used for most pipelines. The sealing of the joint is provided by the gasket and screed of the union nut with the pipe.

Note: Some plumbing fixtures use flat washers. Such connections are less reliable, therefore, they may leak. It is not recommended to hide such places in the walls.

An American pipe threaded connection can be of two types:

1. Direct. Used for joining straight sections of pipes.
2. Angular. When 2 pipelines converging at right angles are joined, a corner connector is used. It allows you to connect perpendicular pipes.

The correct installation of the American

American plumbing is mounted using adjustable, open-end and universal wrenches. Also, sometimes you may need a special round key, with which American women are twisted from the inside. The use of gas wrenches is not allowed. Excessive force applied to the wrench handles may deform the union nut.

About that, you can learn from a separate article on our website.

When carrying out installation work, it will help you choose the right dimensions of the pipeline.

Other types of connection of plastic and metal pipes.

Consider how the American is installed on the pipe.

An American with an internal thread is installed on two sections of the existing pipeline. If there is no thread on the pipe, then it is cut by means of a die. A sealant is wound on the thread of one section. It can be FUM tape, flax fibers or other materials. After that, one part of the American is wound onto the pipe using a key. Then a sealant is applied to the second threaded section, after which the second American fitting with a nut is screwed onto it. After that, the two sections of the pipeline will be connected to each other by tightening the union nut of the fitting.

Tip: If tow or linen is used as a sealant, then a special sealant paste is applied over the fibers. In extreme cases, you can use engine oil.

The installation of an American with an external thread is carried out in almost the same way. The difference is that the sealant is screwed onto the thread of the American woman herself.

As you can see, the use of American type connecting elements can significantly speed up and simplify the process of installation and possible dismantling of pipelines and other plumbing fixtures.

The American is a universal and indispensable device that is used in domestic and industrial construction of pipelines of various configurations. Almost all craftsmen have to face the need to create a quick-connect connection on the highway to replace its section, insert an insert or clean it. Thanks to this useful invention, plumbers have at their disposal a variety of Americans for plumbing, allowing them to work quickly and efficiently.

The “American” connection owes its name to the country where the technology of threaded connection of materials of different sections and compositions was developed. US GOST American thread standard does not match the standards in force in Europe and Asia. But, quite often there is a need to create a single system of pipes and plumbing devices of various origins. In order to adapt their products to the standards of importing countries, American designers came up with a technology for fast and reliable joining of plastic, copper and steel pipes.

American couplings are used to perform the following tasks:

• inserts into the system of tees, taps and other devices;
• replacement of the damaged section of the highway;
• installation without the use of electric and gas welding.

To understand what an American is, it is necessary to consider the design features of this category of fittings, to study their properties, advantages and scope.

What are the types of fittings

The assembly of pipelines for water supply, heating and gas supply involves the presence of many branches, branches and intermediate devices. At the same time, it is necessary to provide connection options for a heated towel rail, toilet tank, radiators and many other devices.

The detachable pipe connection must be tight, strong and durable.

Particular attention is paid to the aesthetic side of the issue. To achieve these goals are used.

Gusset

It is used at the joints of pipeline sections at a certain angle. If earlier adapters were welded into the system, now this need has disappeared. Corner American women have different diameters and degrees of bending. Products are available in 45º, 60º, 90º and 135º bent angles.

The main advantage of such fittings is that the transition from one direction to another is carried out smoothly. Connection with a cap nut provides a tight fit of the joints, optimal pressure on the rubber gaskets. At any time, it is possible to remove the fitting for revision or cleaning of the line.

Coupling

Combined detachable coupling is used to connect straight sections of the highway. American inch thread allows for non-ferrous and ferrous metal.

Despite the seemingly simple device, these fittings are able to ensure the tightness of the joints throughout the entire period of operation of the system. The undoubted advantage of using the coupling is the possibility of its unwinding and removal. The product is reusable, can be used repeatedly without loss of quality characteristics.

Cranes

Experts recommend using a sealing tape when installing an American straight brass coupling to prevent even the slightest possibility of leakage. Cone fittings are usually installed in heating and hot water systems, as these products are resistant to high temperatures.

Flat fittings use a swivel nut on the flange and a flat gasket to ensure a tight seal. It is easy to mount cylindrical inserts; gas wrenches can be used for this. The disadvantage is that the gasket shrinks over time, changes shape and begins to let water through.

It is not recommended to hide such varieties of American women in walls or under decoration. A leak will definitely occur, it's a matter of time.

With threaded fitting

Such a device with an external thread allows you to join polypropylene pipes without the use of welding. In some cases, the distance between the wall and the junction is so small that the issue can only be resolved by installing an American with a threaded fitting. For work it is necessary to use special tools, with a fixed application of effort.

With internal thread

When working with pipelines made of steel and brass, durable and reliable fittings with internal threads are used. The use of plastic in such joints is not recommended.

Previously, the tubes are carved under the American.

For this, there is no need to dismantle or cut off part of the system. After that, no matter how many inches of internal thread, the union nut is screwed onto the pipeline.

materials

American fittings are made from materials that have different strength, resistance to temperature changes and corrosion. Each pipeline has its own characteristics, under which its own version of connections and inserts is selected.

Steel (stainless)

Stainless steel products are characterized by high strength, ease of use and long service life. They do not change their appearance throughout the service.

The cost of steel socket welding fittings is in the middle range, which makes them popular among amateurs and professionals.

Galvanized

They belong to the budget category of goods of this class. The availability of products attracts craftsmen when carrying out large-scale construction work. However, the service life of galvanized fittings is limited. Within a few years, their geometry is broken due to corrosion, destroying black iron. Zinc itself departs from the body of the product in a maximum of a year, exposing unsightly rust.

brass

An overview of the types of couplings for polypropylene pipes allows us to conclude that brass American women meet all the requirements regarding reliability and safety.

The alloy is strong, elastic, resistant to heat and chemically active liquids. The disadvantage is the high cost and discoloration of brass during operation. The appearance of products is improved by chrome plating or powder coating.

Copper

Copper Americans are produced in limited quantities due to low demand and high cost. Fittings made of this metal are in demand only when they are attached to products made of a similar material. Copper is difficult to care for as it darkens and develops a greenish patina.

The metal is subject to electrolytic corrosion, which is impossible to fight.

Plastic

In its pure form, American women are not made only from polypropylene. This plastic does not have sufficient strength to connect pipes and plumbing fixtures. A polymer is used as a base into which metal threaded inserts are fused. As a rule, plastic American women are used in systems where high temperature and pressure are present.

Average price per fitting

The table below shows current offers for today.

Advantages and disadvantages

Having considered the features of American plumbing, answering the question of what it is, you can dwell on the advantages and disadvantages of these devices.

Let's take a look at their benefits first:

1. reliability and strength of docking, absolute tightness of the connection;
2. simplicity and high speed of installation, involving the tightening of one or two nuts;
3. collapsible connection, which can be easily removed and put back;
4. the possibility of joining pipes from materials of different structure;
5. a wide range of products of different configurations with seals included;
6. long service life of the structure assembled using an American.

There are no technical shortcomings in the fittings of this category. The high cost confuses low-income craftsmen, but it is justified by the high quality of the goods. 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.

Keys for Americans

• wrench;
• open-end wrench;
• cap key;
• dies for threading;
• internal keys with 6, 12 and 34 edges;
• expansion round wrench.

It is better to buy tools in a set that is cheaper and helps to solve any issues with installing an American.

How to install

Depending on what material you have to work with, various methods of fitting fittings are selected.

At the joints of metal pipes

Steel lines are used to transport hot liquids under high pressure. Threaded connections are used to connect their sections.

First you need to take a die of the desired size and make 7 turns of thread at each joint. After that, the fitting is inserted between the joints, and the union nuts are screwed onto the threads until the required degree of gasket pressure is reached.

In the joints of plastic

Threads are not made on polypropylene pipes, since they are not intended for this. Adapters with metal fragments pressed into them with internal or external threads are welded or glued to the ends of the pipes (depending on the working conditions). And American women are already screwing on these elements.

Connecting everything in the world with everything in the world is the primary task of any design. What to connect is always there, but what to connect - it still needs to be chosen and selected. For well-known connectors such as nails, bolts, screws, there are no problems in terms of their application, but how to connect pipes made of metal, plastic, rubber hoses? Of course, there are enough options here too: coupling joints of various designs, a huge number of technologies, the use of new materials. But it is unlikely that when starting to equip your home, someone will leaf through the Encyclopedia of Plumbing.

The easiest, but not exactly the cheapest way, hire specialists and then - as God wills. The cheapest, which is also how to see, is the option to do the installation yourself, but for this “feat” you need to know, at a minimum, what a squeegee, a lock nut and ... but you never know what. But the main adviser, most often are those who have already gone through all this. They then claim that the most common, convenient and reliable connector today is the "American". To be precise, this is not a connector, but a class or group of connectors that have a common design approach.

Let's consider the usual union connection and its shortcomings. Let's say that you need to connect two sections of the conduit of straight pipes. One of them connects with its end to a water tap, and the other to a conduit. We connect them, as shown in the figure from left to right:

If performed initial installation system, everything is assembled without complications. But during operation, if you need to dismantle any part of this system, have to disassemble it completely - and these can be multi-meter sections of pipes, and the presence of corners, etc. The problem is that you need to twist the entire pipe - after all, it enters the coupling - which means you need to dismantle its connection from the very beginning.

It is for this case that a compound called "American" is used.

American ... in Russia she is a foreigner

In the biography of this exotic element of sanitary wares, there is no beginning, just like the wheel, but it can be assumed that practical Americans had a hand in its name. In fact, an American is a clutch with cap nut. And the coupling is a little bit different, but with a persistent shoulder, and a nut with a mating part for this shoulder, and in general, almost everything is the same there, but not like that, but the result is simply wonderful - you can connect any two sections of the conduit, and at the same time rotate only one nut. Dismantling of a particular connection can be done any number of times without disassembly all other nodes, which means that the time of work, their cost and maintainability are all at the highest level.

Here is only the most general constructive version of the American. Its classical definition contains a somewhat more extensive interpretation - quick release threaded nut, which contains two threaded fittings, a gasket and a union nut.

The design of this connection, depending on the place of application, can be straight or angular, and the threaded joints are flat (cylindrical) and conical. For flat joints gaskets polyurethane, rubber or paronite. The conical connection is especially good in terms of tightness, since it does not require gaskets and is more resistant to temperature changes and deviations of the axes of the connected sections.

Connecting an American to the highway does not represent no difficulty. Let's say that you have to connect a line of steel pipes.

The order of work is as follows:

• first we prepare the ends of the pipes - we cut a thread of at least 7 turns at both ends;
• we select a connection in which both fittings have an internal thread;
• we wind the fitting with an external thread onto the thread of one pipe, and before that we wind the sealant onto the thread - flax, tow, energy flex;
• we put on a union nut on a fitting with a shoulder, and wind it onto another pipe with a wound seal;
• The last step is to connect the union nut to the threads of the mating fitting.

All. The connection has been made. If we compare with the above example of a coupling connection, then you can notice a significant difference - the entire installation of the American consisted in twisting parts wrench, and nothing more. The rest of the highway remained motionless.

The use of American in plumbing

The versatility of connections with the help of an American and their positive qualities during operation made her indispensable in many cases of installation work. Structurally, the American has many modifications for various applications, and sometimes even is constituent node some types of equipment: taps, measuring instruments, complex switching units in heat and water supply systems, etc.

In home plumbing, almost every apartment has a water meter installed. , and often more than one - his inputs and outputs are made using an American. Due to this, when dismantling the meter, in fact, there are no problems with the connecting pipes - only it is unscrewed cap nuts.

With the help of an American, it is very convenient to carry out assembly and repair work with heating radiators, valves, various filters. Reducing the repair time during operation is the main headache for both residents and plumbers - the biggest positive effect using this connector.

The fundamental opportunity to create on the basis of an American high-tight connections determined its widespread use in systems with high pressure and high temperature. But this connection has become most widespread during the installation of metal-plastic and plastic pipes. . At the same time, the material of the connected pairs of the pipeline does not matter at all: metal-metal, metal-plastic or plastic-plastic - for any of them there is a connector model. Particularly shocking plumbers of the old school is the adaptability of an American woman to connect metal-plastic pipes without any special training- just the pipe is inserted into the "cunning" union nut, which, when connected to the counterpart, compresses it with a conical ring.

For the installation of this foreigner, an open-end or adjustable wrench of the appropriate size is used. Because outside the American has a beautiful nickel plating, the use of pipe wrenches is not recommended, or the surface of the nut should be protected with a wooden or plastic pad.

Materials from which Americans are made

American women are made of cast iron, brass, steel or stainless steel. Of course, the material is determined and the price in the end. Depends on the material performance indicators products: type of pumped liquids, allowable temperature, pressure. The range of these products is huge and you can always choose for any need. Typically applied to the surface nickel plated- this is protection from the external environment, and a presentable appearance.

Recently, plastic pipelines have been increasingly used in plumbing, so the American has also become a “half-breed” - some fittings with a persistent shoulder are made of plastic. During installation, such a fitting is welded to the pipe, and the nut presses it to a colleague - a mating fitting, which is made of metal, and is screwed onto a steel pipe. But if the pipeline is plastic, then the fitting pressed into plastic which is welded to the pipe.

For all its simplicity and attractiveness the American woman has a secret that does not lie on the surface, but everyone involved in the installation should know it - do you know how to twist it? The fact is that the union nut is controlled by the usual wrench, but there are also press fittings for metal-plastic pipes, which must be screwed into the landing site with an internal key. And this can be either a hexagon, which is simpler, or a cylinder with samples for hooks, which is more difficult, but more reliable.

American plumbers call a ready-made quick-release element for connecting 2 pipes.

For these purposes, a clutch with a drive was previously widely used.

A coupling is a piece of pipe with an internal thread or a wide nut. The coupling is used both for connecting pipes of the same diameter, and two pipes of different sizes. In the first case, it is called a coupling, in the second - a transitional one.

When mounting and adjusting the connection, it is often necessary to supplement the coupling with a drive. Squeegee is a piece of pipe with external threads at both ends.

Device

By its design, an American is a combined coupling, a collapsible part, consisting of 2 threaded fittings and a union nut.

The American is flat, in this case the tightness of the connection is achieved by a gasket. It is the cheapest and most compact.

During operation, it may be necessary to tighten the nut and replace the used gasket. For these reasons, it is better not to make connections with a gasket hidden.

Another option is a cone American.

Here, a gasket is not required, since the polished parts of the fittings, made like a cone, are tightly pressed against each other when the nut is tightened.

The deviation along the axis of the mounted pipes should not exceed 5 degrees. They should be carefully checked for hidden defects, as they are usually used in the most important connections.

Expert advice: for critical connections operating in conditions of temperature differences: water heaters, heated towel rails, use an American cone, it is more expensive, but more reliable.

American is a universal and convenient device on a single nut.

To connect pipes, simply tighten the union nut. Quick and convenient installation with the help of an American has replaced traditional couplings and shackles.

With the help of American women, the transition to a pipe of a different diameter or from a different material is decided. With an American, you can create a corner connection.

The convenience of an American type connection has led some manufacturers of plumbing equipment to use it as a mounting element in the design of branded taps, meters, filters, etc.

The American is produced from the following materials:

The last option is a combination of polypropylene with stainless steel, it is often used when installing plastic risers.

Depending on the thread, external or internal, there are three types of American women:

• coupling-thread;
• coupling-coupling;
• carving-carving.

There are also options without thread, for welding connection.

Choosing the right part allows you to get by with one connecting node without additional elements during installation.

Detachable connection type American is available for all running sizes of pipes.

In practice, most often you have to deal with the sizes 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch.

Advantages

Connecting assembly

To tighten the union nut of American women, a conventional open-end or adjustable wrench is used.

A wrench should not be used as it may damage the nickel plating.

If the nut has a decorative finish, use washers. Suitable pieces of plywood, plastic or rubber can act in this role.

When installing metal-plastic pipes, you will have to use a special tool - an internal key. With it, the press fitting is twisted during installation. The most common form is a cylinder with two notches for hooks, sometimes a hexagon.

Often, pliers or other handy tools are used instead of a key. However, there is a risk of damaging the product. If you plan to install several pipes, it is better to purchase an internal key for American women.

Those who know how to work with metal can make a homemade cone key to the required size.

The taper is necessary for an accurate hit in the recesses.

For an American 1/2, the corresponding key sizes are 12x12 mm and 10x10 mm. The shape of the key is L-shaped, the length of the handle is approximately 150 mm.

They make similar homemade products from unnecessary pieces of profile reinforcement.

Watch the video, which explains in detail the device and features of the use of an American woman in plumbing:

An American, whose correct name is a union nut, is a connection of pipes using a fitting. She received such an unusual definition in everyday life from plumbers. This is a fitting that is designed and manufactured in the USA and is designed for quick installation and disconnection of structures in water and gas pipeline systems without rotating the pipe.

Such a connection has found wide application in plumbing, because only one union nut is needed to join pipes. They make parts from cast iron, stainless steel, brass with chromium and nickel content, as well as some types of propylene parts and stainless steel.

Ways to install an American

The method of joining pipes, during installation, using a union nut is universal. Such a unit is suitable for polypropylene and steel, cast iron, copper and metal-plastic products. It is used in hard-to-reach, inconvenient places where welding is not possible. The simplest form of this element consists of the following details:

• Threaded fitting;
• Pad;
• Cap nut.

Thanks to the conical surfaces of the parts, as well as the rubber gasket, the fitting has a tight fit.

The union nut has two types of installation:

• conical;
• Threaded.

The conical connection makes it possible to quickly carry out the installation of parts in hard-to-reach places without the use of special tools. In this case, the docking will be tight and reliable.

A threaded connection is used when instant installation or dismantling of pipes is necessary.

Threaded connection is of the following types:

• Detachable with external thread (with its help, polypropylene and steel pipes are installed);
• Detachable with internal thread (also suitable for polypropylene and steel pipes);
• Detachable with union nut.

The detachable connection ensures the straightness of the connected pipe sections. The quick connector is necessary for the fast connector of the pipes. The speed of work lies in the fact that undocking occurs with just a union nut. An important advantage of the American is that the fitting can be disassembled many times during the operation of the pipeline, only the replacement of the seal is needed. This makes it possible to save time and money.

In what cases is it used

With the use of a quick-release nut, American plumbing becomes much stronger and more reliable. When carrying out plumbing work, it is impossible to do without such an installation. With the help of this part, installation and repair work of heating radiators, meters, filters, plumbing, all types of pipes are carried out. It is especially noteworthy that the above work is carried out with just a union nut, which is controlled by a simple open-end or adjustable wrench.

Today, a ball valve has become an indispensable part in plumbing, because it has a very successful design. It is a modern and progressive type of pipeline crane, in which the working element has a spherical (spherical) shape. Such an element is used to pass water, gas, steam.

It is made from steel, cast iron, brass, copper.

An American connection can be:

• Direct;
• Angular.

There are different sizes of crane, depending on the nature of the work. The most popular sizes are 12 and 34.

When installing plumbing equipment, the faucet replaces the previously used conventional shackle, which consists of a long thread, a coupling, a lock nut and a counter thread.

Plumbers had to make a lot of work during the work. Now it is only necessary with a few turns of the key to pull off two self-centering parts - a crane and an American.

The ball valve is widely used in the installation of the heating system. The radiator, mounted through a faucet, is easy and simple to remove, plus the water supply can be adjusted manually. It has two types of handles:

• Butterfly;
• Lever arm.

The butterfly is mounted on nodes of small section, and the lever on nodes of large section.

Today, plumbing offers customers a wide range of exquisite products - from retro to stylish avant-garde. Global manufacturers put all their skills to meet customer needs at an affordable price. In order for such plumbing to serve for many years and please the eye, it is necessary to use such a detail as an American for faucets and sinks.

The American connection is the best, most reliable and versatile way, which is indispensable when carrying out plumbing work.