HVACR Copper Pipe and Tubing Types

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 01:29 Written by Richard Saturday, 01 March 2008 16:36

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HVACR Copper Pipe

Copper pipe, by far, is the most commonly used type of pipe used in HVACR today. Because copper is the most common type of piping used it is necessary that HVACR technicians have good soldering skills. In water piping soft soldering is used and in any refrigeration application brazing is necessary. It is also necessary to use the correct type of pipe for the application. Refrigeration piping is different than the pipe used for water applications. There is also a difference in solders used and it is necessary to know which solder to use for the different applications and the different copper pipe used for each application. Copper pipe is standardized by manufacturing and engineering associations and each different type of piping is labeled according to its use, the thickness of the wall in the copper tubing, and whether it is hard or soft. See the table below for detailed information about the different types of copper tubing, the thickness of its wall, and its most common uses.

HVACR Copper Tubing Types

Tubing Type	Hard	Soft	Common Uses
Type K Copper Tubing Thick Wall	10 to 20 foot straight lengths	20 to 100 foot coils	HVACR, Domestic Water, Natural Gas & L.P., Fuel Oil, and Compressed Air
Type L Copper Tubing Medium Wall	10 and 20 foot straight lengths	20 to 100 foot coils	HVACR, Domestic Water, Natural Gas & L.P., Fuel Oil, and Compressed Air
Type M Copper Tubing Thin Wall	10 and 20 foot straight lengths	None	Heat Piping (low pressure applications only) Plumbing, Waste Drainage, and Venting Applications