Joining hard and soft copper
#1
08-03-05, 08:27 AM
Joining hard and soft copper
I was reading a book that mentioned hard copper was measured using ID and soft copper was measured using OD. Is this true? If so are there connection so that soft and hard copper can be connected?
Are there any issues with mixing the two types of copper?
Are there any issues with mixing the two types of copper?
#2
08-03-05, 06:38 PM
Member
There is a little confusion there. Hard and soft copper both come in the same measurements. The difference is refrigeration copper which is measured I.D. and is soft copper. You can buy couplings and all other fittings that will join hard to soft copper unless you mixed them with refrigeration copper. Good luck.
#7
08-09-05, 08:45 PM
Super Moderator
Merlin,
What you call the size of a pipe, copper or steel is whether or not it is sized as pipe or tubing.
Tubing is measured by its outside diameter and pipe by inside diameter.
The refrigeration trade uses tubing size for all its copper and plumbers refer to copper in pipe size except they will somtimes refer to soft copper as tubing.
There is no difference in the actual fitting size, only confusion about which fitting to use.
5/8" copper tubing uses the same fitting as 1/2" copper pipe, 7/8" copper tube is the same as 3/4" copper pipe, etc.
What you call the size of a pipe, copper or steel is whether or not it is sized as pipe or tubing.
Tubing is measured by its outside diameter and pipe by inside diameter.
The refrigeration trade uses tubing size for all its copper and plumbers refer to copper in pipe size except they will somtimes refer to soft copper as tubing.
There is no difference in the actual fitting size, only confusion about which fitting to use.
5/8" copper tubing uses the same fitting as 1/2" copper pipe, 7/8" copper tube is the same as 3/4" copper pipe, etc.
