For a pumped CH system, is it better (where clearance allows) to bend pipes than to use soldered couplers?
Ta
Pete
For a pumped CH system, is it better (where clearance allows) to bend pipes than to use soldered couplers?
Ta
Pete
Where its permissable its always best to bend rather than joint, the less joints you have the less chance of an upset later. ;-)
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
It is always best to bend rather then elbow if it is possible. This applies to any plumbing system. It reduces flow resistance and noise.
Christian.
I'm confused?
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
How so?
Christian.
turbulence, presumably.
How you can say using elbows restricts flow rate and causes noise in the system?
When the pipe is butted up into the elbow it makes contact with the ridge in the elbow and is a perfect join providing the solder has made a good airless joint.
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
Can you drive faster and smoother round a sharp or wide bend?
Thats irrelevent to the question.
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
There are several noises associated.
Christian.
Because it does! Use swept bends.
i have noticed this
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If you point a hosepipe at the bottom of a wall, it splatters all over the place. If you point a hosepipe at the bottom of a wall with a nicely curved up former at the bottom, the water will bend round and rise upwards without anywhere near as much splattering. The same happens within the pipework. Although the splattering can't escape the pipe, it can make a lot of noise and will have more pressure loss.
Christian.
Ok maybe I have not made it clear so...I'm talking about a bend in a pipe at 90deg and fitting an elbow which is 90deg both will give the same flow rate.
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
Go find you're snorkel gear.
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
Bends are better.
I've just bought the 15/22mm pipe bending tool from toolstation (
Admittedly, I won't use the tool every day, but it's still a neat bit of kit!
Mungo
However, that is entirely irrelevant. Elbows cause the fluid to change direction much more abruptly than bends, which is what causes the restriction in flow. The larger the bend radius the better, with the best being a bend of infinite radius: i.e. a straight pipe.
Colin Bignell
Except that a bend made in a pipe with a pipe bender will be a flowed bend, whilst an elbow fitting will be a sharp 90 degrees. You can get some of the benefit of a flowed bend by using two 45 degree elbows with a short length of pipe between. Two 45 elbows are much better than one 90 degree.
Christian.
Yes, I wouldn't dream of using copper pipe without a bender handy. With a bit of forethought (and a small dent on the pipe) you can made 180 degree bends, too!
Christian.
There's a nice little table[1] ("Table 4: resistance to the flow of fittings, etc as equivalent lengths of straight tube") at:
AFAIR the maximum flow rate recommended is about two metres per second.
[1] They can't spell "metres", though.HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.