ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues NEC article 346-8 reaming + threading

>B.I. pipe comes with a "thread protector"
Okay, what is B.I., please?
This sounds like a gotcha that I should know about. And I sure hope you don't mean black iron.

Should those protectors should be marked "Remove before installing" or "Discard this thread protector" or "Not for connection".

Of course, making the free end physically unable to connect to another pipe would be a pretty good idea too.

Black steel (usually 21' lengths) comes with a coupler fitted on one end as well. But I thought that this was for speed of assembly, though it also helps to protect those threads.

We have always used NPT dies for our rigid.
The only other dies that I am aware of are NPT for Stainless Steel which can be used on softer metals but not vice- versa. Are there also special dies for aluminuminmumum?

DSpark
Yes, the term I was referring to was Black Iron Pipe, which is correctly called Steel (pronounced "Crawfishing"). The term Iron is used also in this area by even the plumbers and pipefitters, although probably incorrectly.
. Q: What does the abbreviation IPS stand for, and why is it not SPS?
The thread protectors need not have any more warning on them than the plastic thread protectors on GRC or IMC, which don't say "not a bushing."
I can't see how any installation could be speeded up by having a coupling on the end installed by the factory, as you'd need to pull it off anyway to apply joint compound.
...I'll now shut up before my crawfish becomes a full-blown lobster...s

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 05-22-2001).]

Our mechanic (mechanical)says that it means "iron pipe size" and is used to designate another material, such as PVC, as an equivalent in dimension to iron pipe of the same nominal size.

>The thread protectors need not have any more warning on them than the plastic thread protectors
Well, I don't know. But I'm not sure that I have seen one. The ones I've seen and used on black steel (2" and under) were very substantial and appeared indentical to couplers purchased off the shelf. Perhaps not all manufacturers use dummies?

> I can't see how any installation could be speeded up by having a coupling on the end installed by the factory, as you'd need to pull it off anyway to apply joint compound.
That's a good point if being used for gas.
But I should say that it assures that you have the correct number of couplers on hand.

Anyway, if they are unmarked, how are they distinguished from real couplers?

Thanks. I've always wondered why a PVC fitting would have IPS written on it. I called my plumber friend and he couldn't answer that one. He did say that you can tell the thread protectors because they fit real loosely, and go too far on to the thread before they purchase.(I suppose this is an acquired "feel" like us tightening a wirenut). Other than that, his only comment was "It'll leak". Good thing I'm not a plumber 'cause most of mine leak anyway.

I don't believe that I've ever seen black steel thread protectors, and I sure hope I didn't!

IPS - iron pipe size - is one standard of sizing pipes, and is common for schedule 40 PVC. The size refers the inside diameter.

CTS - copper tubing size - is another standard, and is also used for CPVC and some small diameter polyethylene pipe which have thin walls. Of course, CTS copper still has IPS threads.

SDR - standard dimensional ratio - is used for piping, but I've never seen it used to refer to threads. Perhaps if we used SI instead of "English" measurements we could have one system?


[This message has been edited by Dspark (edited 05-22-2001).]

I have heard the steel 'thread protectors' called merchant couplings but I do not know what they are used for. Most I have seen have ended up in land fills. Now I am curious why they are included. Typical #150 couplings used for plumbing are cast and have a raised band on each end in addition to the threads not going all the way through.I have also heard IPS called NPS, Nominal . . . Goes with NPT??

Redsy,
There are also dies for plastic pipes and coated pipes.

Phil H

Iron Pipe or Black Pipe or Black Iron Pipe is correct terminology. I retract my crawfish.
The couplings that are sold here (even at Home Cheapo) have thicker bands around the ends, and 2 longitudinal bands.
. DSpark, what application have you that wouldn't require that compound or sealant be applied to the threads?

>what application have you that wouldn't require that compound or sealant be applied to the threads?

Building a swing set?
I don't know what people do with it.
I figured that it has uses besides gas line.