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Reposted from BoshartU. Click Here for original article

 

Nylon vs Poly vs PVC… which one do you need? The choice seems simple, just pick one. But it actually is a bit more complicated than that. Each material has it’s strengths and it’s weaknesses. They have noticeable differences; Nylon is a natural colour, Poly is a light grey and PVC is a dark grey, but what about the non obvious differences?

In this blog, we will go over the pros and cons of each material and what applications each one is the most suitable for. This will make it easy for you when you next require a plastic fittings. Let’s take a look.
Nylon
Strengths
NE-15

Nylon is the toughest material between Nylon, Poly and PVC. Nylon is exceptional for water well and underground applications. It is extremely durable which makes it good for barns, livestock and watering systems. Nylon can handle the largest abuse of stretching and twisting.
Weaknesses

Nylon is not good for exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet rays can cause nylon fittings to become extremely brittle and fail. There is also a very small number of chemicals that are good to be used with nylon fittings.

Poly (Polyethylene)
PPRC-1512Strengths

Poly is the most economical of the three materials and it has really good chemical resistance. It is extremely popular in the pool and spa market. There are a handful of chemicals that can be used with poly fittings that cannot be used with PVC fittings.
Weaknesses

Poly is the least durable of the three materials and there are less items available in reducing fittings.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Strengths

PVC has the widest range of fittings. It is most popular in irrigation applications since it is not affected by ultraviolet rays. It has great chemical resistance and there are some chemicals that PVC can handle that Poly cannot. It is a very tough material which is why it is used in irrigation systems where lines are not below the frost level.PVCT-20
Weaknesses

PVC has no noteworthy weaknesses like nylon or poly, but it is normally more expensive than poly fittings. Depending on the application you require an insert fitting for, PVC may be an over kill. Nylon and Poly could be a better fit for a certain application so ensure you do your research on what you require the fitting to handle before making the decision. In doing that you could save yourself some money.

Applications

In irrigation systems, all lines need to be blown out in the winter to prevent damage from freezing. It is almost impossible to remove 100% of the water from the pipes, so that means that some water will still be in the line after they are blown out. PVC fittings are best suited for this application since the expansion from the ice will be forced length wise in the pipe instead of expanding the diameter of the fitting. This ensures the pipe and gear clamps will maintain a strong seal.

Nylon may be a tough material but in this particular case, nylon fittings will stretch in diameter. If this stretching occurs, it could loosen the clamp, and since nylon has a size memory, it will return to it’s original size which will ultimately cause a leaky connection.

As you can see above, each material has their notable strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the application you require the fittings for, that will determine which material is the best option. Keeping these pros and cons in your back pocket will help to guarantee you pick the correct material for your specific application.

Reposted from BoshartU. Click Here for original article

Reposted from BoshartU. Click Here for original article

Ever look at some parts and wonder “Where does this belong?” or “How do these parts work together?” In a submersible pump installation, there are a handful of different products that work together, playing an important role in the overall function of the submersible pump. Some products may have roles more centre stage, but take one part away and you and your pump could be in danger.

In this post, we take a look at a variety of products for submersible pumps, what their roles are and how they work together. Let’s take a look.

Submersible Pump Components

1. Submersible Pump
2. Check Valve
3. Easy Tie Adapters
4. Clamps
5. Heat Shrink Splice Kits
6. Torque Arrestor
7. Safety Rope
8. Pump cable
9. Cable Guards
10. Cable Ties
11. Pitless Adapters
12. Rope Hangers
13. Well Caps
14. Insert Adapters
15. Flow Control Valves
16. Tank Tees
17. Pressure Switch
18. Pressure Gauges
19. Relief Valves
20. Drain Valves
21. Ball Valves
22. Sediment Filter

1. Submersible Pump

A submersible pump allows for moving water from the ground up. They are designed to push the water up to the surface in a very efficient way.

2. Check Valve

The placement and number of check valves required for a system is based on the depth of the pump setting in the well. Installation of 200 feet or less require one check valve on the pump discharge and one on the surface of the well. Settings 200 feet or deeper may require multiple check valves. Some thing to consider during installation is the weight of piping, water and submersible pump, head loss of the valves, friction loss of the piping, velocity of water and water hammer. For more on check valves and what their job is, check out taking a look at check and foot valves.

3. Easy Tie Adapters

Easy tie adapters thread into the discharge on the check valve at the submersible pump and inserts into poly riser pipe. A second adapter can be threaded into the pitless adapter at the well head and then connects to the poly riser pipe. The lug with a hole, or the rope eye, provides a simple means to securely fasten the safety rope or cable or to secure the submersible pump to the well head in case of a pipe failure. Available in bronze and stainless.

4. Clamps

Hose clamps are designed for sealing poly pipe to barbed insert fittings, making a positive watertight seal and pull-off proof connection. Using an all 300 grade stainless steel clamp ensures the clamp will last the life of the system for water well installations or where maximum corrosion resistance is required. For a more in depth look at clamps, check out The pro’s guide to gear clamps webinar.

5. Heat Shrink Splice Kits

Heat shrink splice kits are designed for under water electrical connections between the pump cable and the leads on the pump motor. The connection is made by cutting the cables in a staggered position to decrease the outer cable diameter. This is an important step in order to reduce the risk of damaging the splice due to abrasion when the pump is lowered into the well.

6. Torque Arrestor

Torque arrestors are specifically designed to keep the submersible pump centred and to prevent any twisting in the well casing. Torque arrestors also protect the pump cable and are typically installed directly above the pump on the riser pipe. They can be installed on 1″ and 1- 1/4″ riser pipe.

7. Safety Rope

Safety rope can be found connected directly to the submersible pump and secured at the well head. The main function is to prevent the pipes from separating which could result in the pump being lost at the bottom of the well. Safety rope can also provide a backup to enable the installer to pull the pump from the well if the riser pipe fails. Every pump should have a safety rope secured to it before hanging it in the well.

8. Pump Cable

Submersible pump cable is used to supply the power to the submersible pumps. Typical pumps used in a submersible pump installation are either a two or three wire pump. The two wire pumps have the starting capacitor built into the submersible motor whereas the three wire pumps do not have the capacitor built into the motor, they require a control box which is normally found in the pump house at the well head. For more on pump cable, check out our post How to Get Pumped About Pump Cable.

9. Cable Guards

Cable guards keep the riser pipe centred in the well to prevent damage to the pump wire. If the pump cable is not properly protected, the insulation on the wires feeding the pump can get worn out due to rubbing against the inside of the well casing. Every time the pump stops or starts, the whole installation moves in response. After years of this action, the wire insulation will thin resulting in a short circuit.

10. Cable Ties

Cable ties are used to effectively secure the riser pipe to the pump cable between the cable guards. Some codes require the cable ties to be fastened to the riser pipe at intervals of no greater than 10 feet apart.

 

11. Pitless Adapters

Slide type pitless adapters allow for an easy connection of the riser pipe from the submersible pump to the underground discharge pipe. The discharge pipe transfers the water to your home below frost level. The threaded tapping on the pitless elbow allows the adapter to be connected to the lift out pipe to lift riser pipe and the pump assembly up out of the well. To look at slide pitless adapters a little closer, check out Slide vs Spool Pitless Adapters: What’s the Difference?

12. Rope Hangers

Did you know rope hangers were invented by Mel Boshart and are only available at Boshart Industries? Rope hangers were designed to provide an easier method of attaching the safety rope securely to the well casing at the well head, rather than fastening the rope directly to the other internal components. The rope hanger can easily be removed and set to the side when the pump is pulled from the well if the well needs to be replaced or serviced. For more on safety rope and rope hangers, check out all the different types of safety rope.

13. Well Caps

Well caps are designed to cover the top of the well casing. They prevent debris from entering the well. There are a variety of types of well caps but they all provide a watertight seal to protect the well from any contamination. To learn more about the different types of well caps and the different materials they come in, check out this blog post.

14. Insert Adapters

An insert adapter has one end that is insert and the other end is MPT (Male Pipe Thread). When hanging a pump on the poly riser pipe, it is recommended to use an extra long insert adapter for added protection of the pump from accidentally pulling out of the insert. You can also double or triple clamp the insert fittings to ensure the connection will never slip. For a closer look at bronze insert fittings, check out our blog,  4 Features to Look for in Bronze Insert Fittings.

15. Flow Control Valves

In any well installation, a flow control provides protection to the submersible pump in low producing wells. Flow controls allow the aquifer to sustain a static water level in the well and not allow it to fall below the submersible pump to prevent the pump from running dry due to over pumping the well. You can install a flow control anywhere between the submersible pump and the tank tee at the pressure tank connection, but they can be used in other locations as well. To dive into flow controls a little deeper, check out our blog, What the Heck is a Flow Control?

16. Tank Tees

Tank tees are multi-port fittings designed specifically to connect a tank to the water system. Having the multi-port feature allows one fitting to do the job as eight or more pipe fittings. The connection on the legs goes to the tank and one of the lateral connections goes to the pump. Another connection goes to the plumbing system. Water from the pump can then go either into the tank or directly into the plumbing.

17. Pressure Switch

Pressures switches control the submersible pump operations due to it’s built in diaphragm that moves back and forth reacting to the water system pressure. Pressure switches come in standard, medium and heavy-duty models that handle a wide variety of electrical and pressure ratings. For more information on pressure switches, check out our blog, How to Properly Adjust your Pressure Switch.

18. Pressure Gauges

A pressure gauge allows you to easily monitor what the pressure system is doing and to confirm what the cut-in and cut-out pressure settings of the switch are. They are installed in one of the two upward facing accessory ports on the tank tee head. Glycerine filled gauges can reduce any motion that could occur on the indicator pointer due to system vibrations. Check out our blog, When to Select a Liquid VS Dry Pressure Gauge for more information.

19. Relief Valves

A relief valve provides protection to the plumbing system from excessive pressure if a pressure switch were to fail allowing the system to continue building pressure beyond the pre-set pressure of the switch. Excessive pressure could result in major failure of the plumbing pipe and the plumbing components, potentially resulting in water damage. Take a closer look at relief valves here.

20. Drain Valves

A drain valve is installed in the second outward facing accessory port. Drain valves provide a means to take water samples, acquire water from systems and allows access to drain the tank and water system if the pressure tank needs to be replaced. Drain valves are also known as sediment faucets or boiler drain valves.

21. Ball Valves

A ball valve should be installed on the discharge side of the pressure tank, providing a means of isolation of the plumbing system from the water well pressure system. Ball valves provide a way to shut off the water supply to the house in the event of a component failure in the plumbing system. For more information on ball valves, check out our blog, What the Heck is a Ball Valve?

22. Sediment Filter

A sediment filters job is to remove the sediment from your water. This protects from sediment entering any water treatment equipment like softeners or hot water heaters. Having no sediment in the water treatment equipment increase the efficiency and longevity of the equipment. To get more details regarding spin out filters and separators, check out our post, Understanding Sediment Filters & Separators.

 

As you can see, each product is crucial to ensure a safe and successful submersible pump installation. When you install a submersible pump, use this list to confirm you have not forgotten any key parts, ensuring the safety of you and the pump.

 

Reposted from Viega. Click Here for original article

An important element of our fittings is only seen before installation and is invisible afterward.

The sealing elements, one at either end of the fitting, are often are confused with O-rings, which look similar but perform different functions.

The primary difference between the two is in their longevity and how they function. O-rings are installed as part of a dynamic seal, so that the O-ring can move with the assembly it is installed in, like a washer-less faucet.

Sealing elements are installed as part of a static seal, so that the element never moves once pressed.

Because O-rings move, they are subject to friction and wear and tear that comes with the movement. As a result, they wear out and must be replaced. Assemblies that O-rings are installed in are specifically designed to be taken apart so that the O-rings can be replaced. The frequency of replacement depends on the application, material, degree of movement and use.

By contrast, because sealing elements in press fittings are static, they function during the press but are not subject to motion during system operation. Therefore, they do not suffer the same wear and tear and do not have to be replaced. They are permanent once pressed and designed to outlast the fitting they are installed in.

Viega offers three types of sealing elements: EPDM, HNBR and FKM. Each has its own applications and specifications:

EPDM: Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber (EPDM) is a synthetic, cured all-purpose elastomer with excellent resistance to chemicals and other harsh environmental conditions. With operating temperatures from 0℉ to 250℉, it is suitable to any type of water application (hot water included), as well as compressed air and ketones.

HNBR: Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) is a specialty-purpose elastomer with a great deal of strength and retention in the face of heat, oil and chemical exposure. HNBR sealing elements are primarily geared toward gas applications, from natural and propane to mixed and manufactured gases, along with oils and lubricants.

FKM: is a specialty-purpose elastomer. In combination with excellent resistance to chemicals and environmental influences, it is resistant to extreme spikes in temperatures (up to 356℉) for 24 hours or less. These qualities make it suitable for industrial environments with harsh, corrosive conditions.

At Viega, we are equally confident in the quality of our sealing elements and our fittings. That’s because we pair quality design and manufacturing processes with weathering tests to ensure sealing elements perform as intended well into the future.

Operating within our approved conditions, our sealing elements carry the same warranty period as the product line they are installed in. For example, our standard ProPress fittings are backed by a 50-year limited warranty. We stand behind the ability of our sealing elements to meet these same demands.

For more information on Viega Products Click Here

Reposted from Viega. Click Here for original article

Have you ever received a piece of mail with an envelope tucked in the back instead of sealed? Perhaps the envelope’s contents arrived damaged, or simply fell out while in transit, without this added layer of protection.

While a sealing element for a pipe fitting may look much different than an envelope, the thought process is the same. A fitting needs both mechanical strength and a way to prevent the leakage of fluids. A sealing element makes sure no media (whether it’s water, air, etc.) passes through a pipe connection. This makes it a crucial part of how any mechanically attached pipe fitting is installed.

(While a sealing element is quite similar to an O-ring, there is one big difference: O-rings are replaceable, and sealing elements are permanent once pressed.)

Depending on your application, there are many types of sealing elements that could be beneficial. Three of the most common are EPDM, HNBR and FKM. As a provider of these three types, we’ll break down what each option means.
An Introduction to the Three Sealing Elements
What Is EPDM?

Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber (EPDM) is a synthetic, cured all-purpose elastomer recognized for its excellent resistance to chemicals and other harsh environmental conditions, as well as its shiny black color. (At Viega, we ask that each sealing element is dyed.) With operating temperatures that range from 0℉ to 250℉, the EPDM sealing element is suitable to any type of water application (hot water included), as well as compressed air and ketones.
What Is HNBR?

Yellow in color, hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) is a specialty-purpose elastomer that boasts a great deal of strength and retention in the face of heat, oil and chemical exposure. HNBR sealing elements are primarily geared toward gas applications, from natural and propane to mixed and manufactured gases, along with oils and lubricants.
What Is FKM?

Fluoroelastomer (FKM) is a specialty-purpose elastomer that is dull black in appearance. In combination with excellent resistance to chemicals and environmental influences, FKM is also characterized by a resistance to extreme spikes in temperatures (up to 356℉) for 24 hours or less. These qualities make the FKM sealing element suitable for industrial environments where there are harsh, corrosive conditions.

How Long Do Sealing Elements Last Anyway?

People tend to assume that sealing elements will wear out and need to be replaced. This is a myth we want to debunk. Unlike O-rings, sealing elements offer a significantly longer life span — a timeline that is dictated in part by their unique application.

The longevity of a sealing element has a lot to do with the dynamics of its operating parameters. Essentially, it functions on an exponential curve. A sealing element that operates at the peak of its range may have a shorter life than one that operates in more moderate conditions.

At Viega, we are just as confident in the quality of our sealing elements as we are in our fittings. That’s because we pair quality design and manufacturing processes with accelerated weathering tests to ensure sealing elements perform as intended well into the future.

Operating within our approved conditions, this allows our sealing elements to have an expected life span beyond that of the warranty period for each of our product lines. To put this into perspective, our standard press fittings are backed by a 50-year warranty. We stand behind the ability of our sealing elements to meet these same demands.

For more information on Viega Products Click Here

By Chris Windsor and the BoshartU Team.

Chrome Plated Supply Stops are a widely used low pressure valve. They can be utilized in many different applications. If you are not sure where you can find a Supply Stop, look at the water line coming from the wall to your toilet. You will most likely see one there. In this blog, we are going to go over the basics of:

• What are Chrome Plated Supply Stops
• Where are they used
• What type of Supply Stops exist
• Why is it important to use them

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By Infiltrator Water Technologies

Wherever you live, you have one of two kinds of wastewater systems: You may be connected to a town or city sewer network with a centralized water treatment plant, or you could have your own onsite septic system. If you’re in the latter group, this page will introduce you to the septic system basics – how they work, how to maintain them, and why they are a safe, reliable choice…

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