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Know Your Threads
certain sizes of pipe threads can only be used with
those sizes that fit appropriately and adapters must be used otherwise
dripdepot.com
Drip irrigation parts and components are connected together
using different methods, one of which is by threaded connections.
A garden hose connected to a hose bib (sometimes
referred to as a spigot) is a simple example of this type of connection.
Threaded connectors are available in two options, one
option has a male threaded end and the other option has a female threaded end.
You can see the difference just by taking a look at
them; if the ridges are raised and prominent on the outside, it is a male
connector.
If the ridges are on an inside surface, they are
female threads.
As an example, the spigot outside your home has male
threads and the hose that you attach to the spigot will then have female
threads allowing you to screw one onto the other making a tight, leak-free
connection.
What Types of Fittings are Available?
Of the threaded connectors, the fitting can be either
hose thread or pipe thread depending on the application.
Hose threads are almost always the same size, ¾”.
Whereas pipe threads can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another and one
system to another as well.
Pipe threads found in drip irrigation systems are
usually between ½” to 1".
Hose threads and pipe threads are not compatible with
each other and cannot be interchanged with systems using one or the other.
Just as only male and female threaded fittings can be
used together, certain sizes of pipe threads can only be used with those sizes
that fit appropriately and adapters must be used otherwise.
Common acronym designations have been adopted to
easily describe the different types of fittings:
MHT = Male Hose Thread
FHT = Female Hose Thread
MPT= Male Pipe Thread
FPT = Female Pipe Thread
As we mentioned earlier, hose thread sizes are usually
all ¾” so you may not always see this number after the MHT or FHT designations.
Pipe thread sizes will always have the size clearly
marked on the fitting and this includes specialty pipe thread fittings that
have a different size fitting on each end.
For these, you will see descriptive markings for each
end showing exactly what size fitting you have.
An example would be: ½ MPT x ¾ FHT refers to an item
which has ½” Male Pipe Threads on one end and ¾” Female Hose Threads on the
other end.
How Do These Fittings Work?
Now that we know about the different types of threaded
fittings, it is important to know how they work.
For a hose thread connection to make a tight bond,
pressure is applied to a washer seated within the female fitting and all that
is needed to create this pressure is hand-tightening of the fittings.
Pipe threads, for their watertight seal, have slightly
tapered threaded ends that when screwed together tightly create the bond.
It is recommended to use Teflon tape and a wrench to
tighten the seal.
You will find a variety of drip irrigation parts in
both pipe thread or hose thread fittings.
Drip Depot carries a wide array of drip irrigation
components in standard hose thread fittings so they can be easily attached to
any garden hose and used within minutes of set-up.
We also carry a full line of adapters to be used with
other drip irrigation components that have either pipe thread fittings or any
other type of fitting on the market.
As always, Drip Depot staff is available to assist you
in obtaining the right items to make the right connections for your particular
drip irrigation system.
We love getting feedback, so please feel free to share
your experiences on this topic, whether or not you found this article helpful,
and if there are any specific topics you would like us to cover in the future.
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