How to choose the right plumbing connection
At Biltema, you will find a wide range of high-quality plumbing fittings that are easy to use and install.
Plumbing pipes and hoses
What are PEX pipes?
PEX pipes are flexible plastic pipes used in plumbing installations, mainly for water supply and underfloor heating. They are durable, corrosion-resistant, and can withstand both high and low temperatures, making them ideal for both hot and cold-water installations. Their flexibility also makes them easy to install, especially in tight spaces.
What are PEM hoses?
PEM hoses are plastic pipes used in plumbing, mainly for outdoor installations such as water pipes and sewers. PEM hoses are often used as a drinking water pipe from the municipal connection to your property, but also as a suction line, irrigation, rainwater system and water supply for cottages, greenhouses, stables and gardens.
PEM hoses have different color markings depending on the application. Blue stripe for drinking water and brown for sewage.
Thread Connections
In the HVAC industry, threaded couplings are manufactured in inches as standard. The threaded couplings can have an external or internal thread and here the dimensions differ. When measuring a thread connection, for example, an external 1/2" thread has a larger dimension than an internal 1/2" thread.
In the table below, we guide you through the different measurements in the nearest whole mm. Over the years, thumb threads have also been given different names, for example, 1/2" threads can also be called R15 or G15.
Think about...
Keep in mind that threaded connections always need to be sealed with plumbing flax and pipe thread paste or thread tape.
Clamping Ring Connections
Clamping Ring connections for Copper and PEX Pipes
Clamping ring connections are an easy way to splice both copper pipes and PEX pipes. The coupling is made of brass and consists of, among other things, a clamping ring and a nut. When you tighten the nut, the clamping ring is pressed around the pipe, and it becomes tight.
When choosing the size of a clamping ring fitting, you need to know the outer dimensions of the pipe to be joined. Clamping ring couplings are always designated with a dimension, for example 12 x 12 mm. This means that the coupling fits a pipe with an outer diameter of 12 mm.
For correct installation, see Biltemas Assembly instructions for clamping ring couplings.
Support sleeves
Some pipe types require an accessory called a support sleeve. The sleeve is placed inside the pipe as a reinforcement when the clamping ring and nut are tightened.
NB! There are different types of support sleeves, one for copper pipes and one for PEX pipes.
- Copper Tube: Copper tube support sleeve should be used for soft and semi-hard copper tubes.
- PEX Pipe: Support sleeve for PEX pipe should always be used.
We recommend using pipe thread paste to lubricate the thread and ring on the clamp ring fitting.
For correct installation, see Biltema's installation instructions for clamping ring couplings.
Everything in PEX pipes and accessories
PEM Couplings (PRK)
For PEM Pipes and Hoses
PRK is a high-tensile plastic pipe fitting that joins PEM, PE and PEHD pipes in a simple and safe way. Withstands temperatures from -20 °C – +100 °C.
They are made of dezincification-hardened brass, approved for drinking water, for the best strength and durability. Can handle pressure PN 10.
The couplings fit all plastic piping systems and are easy and safe to use. Can be used both in building and buried in the ground. The couplings must be placed interchangeably. It must be possible to excavate underground connections without destroying building or civil engineering structures.
For correct installation, see Biltemas Assembly instructions for Clamping Ring Connections for PEM hoses.pdf
Our range of PEM hoses and fittings
How to install clamping ring fittings on copper pipes and PEX pipes
The clamp ring fittings are designed to be used with copper pipes (soft, medium and hard) and PEX pipes. Support sleeves should be used for soft (annealed) and semi-hard copper pipes as well as PEX pipes.
NB! Always use an adapted support sleeve for each pipe.
- Cut the pipe with a pipe cutter or other suitable tool that provides an even cut. Check that the pipe is free of longitudinal scratches. Carefully deburr both the inside and outside of the pipe. The deburring can either be done with a suitable file or deburring tool.
- Insert the support sleeve into the pipe (soft and semi-hard copper pipes and PEX pipes).
- Check that the clamping ring is positioned in the nut on the coupling and slide the tube to the bottom of the coupling.
- First, tighten the nut by hand to resist. Then tighten the nut with a fixed wrench or wrench the number of revolutions specified for copper pipes and PEX pipes in the table below.
NB! If lubricants are used, this must be approved for drinking water.
