Metrci conversion help

Bigheadtodd

Have a project were we will be useing cast iron radiators from England. The connections to the supply and return are 1/2" bsp 15 mm copper. (what does bsp mean?)

I'm trying to locate a conversion kit that will get me from 15 mm copper to standard 1/2 inch copper 5/8 OD.. I found a place on the net that can supply the 15 mm copper, but no conversion adapt. I'd like to stub down through floor in 15 mm copper, then sweat on some kind of adapt to get me to 1/2 inch copper.

Any body out there have any ideas? Maybe I can swedge, braze,?

I also have another problem. The shut off valves on both sides of radiators are a I.P. connection that are not tapered. The guy supplying the radiators said to use a bunch of teflone tape???? I'll have to use a 1/2 inch of tape, any body got a better idea?

Thanks for the help, Todd

Firedragon_4

I keep this on the desk

http://www.extolohio.com/DATA/METRIC/metric_nominal_pipe.html

Joe@buderus

We recommend using "wicking" (Loctite 55 works great!) on parallel pipe thread. Unlike NPT thread the sealant creates the seal not the threads. The manufacture/supplier should have fittings to adapt the radiator to the pipes. Buderus Panel Radiators have specific fittings for the radiator to pipe connection. I've seen issues when other fittings besides the ones supplied by us are used. Good Luck on your search

Jimmy Gillies

Tod

I'm from Scotland UK, I think you will find that the radiators have a 1/2'' BSP female connection on them, one on the left & one on the right, so you could maybe connect to them.
If you want to connect to 15mm O.D.(standard UK size) copper, I think it's much the same size as your 1/2'' copper.
Have you got the 15mm valves with the rads?, if so they will most likely be 15mm compression connections, so try 1/2'' US copper in the valves, I think it should fit, and just tighten as normal.
Regards.
Jimmy Gillies.

Constantin

Leave it up to the engineers...

... to mess with people's minds. I still marvel at the old engineering tomes I've seen where a gadzillion different screw threads were described in detail... All of them were not developed for better performance but to keep the other people out of a particular line of business. Very inefficient, but profitable for the manufacturers of the stuff.

Anyway, I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see that ½" BSP is equivalent to a 15 mm thread, even if ½" = 12.5mm.

Aidan (UK)

Metric conversion

BSP = British Standard Pipe thread. BSP taper threads have a 1 in 16 taper.

Metric copper tube is 15mm, 22mm, 28mm, 35mm, 42mm, 54mm, etc., but these dimensions refer to the outside diameter of the tube.

The UK changed from Imperial pipe (1/2", 3/4", 1", etc) in about 1971. The 1/2" pipe was near enough the same OD as the 15mm metric tube, and so can be joined with 15mm solder fittings, as Jimmy's said.

'Tube' refers to the OD, 'pipe' refers to the ID.


N.B. I am not sure that US 1/2" pipe is the same OD as 15mm metric tube. I'd think it is.

MikeTH

UK - North Amercan copper size

Just got back form the UK; Mom passed away :-(
While I was there I picked up a reasonable quality Thermostatic rad valve with matching lockshield (balancing)valve for 8 UK pounds (you can do the conversion)retail!!
The connection from the bottom of the valves (copper compression for the supply and return pipe) will not accept North American 1/2" copper. Had a look around in the warehouse and found that a 5/8"female-1/2"female refigeration reducer will fit into the compression connection and the 5/8" end will accept the copper pipe.
Didn't try the threaded end yet but have had a couple of good tips from the wall as usual.

Good Luck

Bigheadtodd

Thanks

Thank you all for takeing the time to help me out. GREAT TIPS,
Joe, the Loctiet 55 sounds like a good idea, can it take the high temps? Never heard the term paralled pipe threads before, cool.
Jimmy, 1/2 inch copper is a tad bit thicker than 15 mm, could sand down, but would make the walls of the pipe to thin
Constantin, no engineers on this job, picky home owners. The HO's wanted cast iron radiators for the orrignel look. We needed radiators that were not to tall, the GC found a foundry in England that made raidiators short. I have to tell you though, these radiators are UGLY.
Mike, your idea to use the refrigeration reducer is a great tip. I'm takeing the valve down to the refrig store tomorrow.

Every one, thanks for your time. Todd

Jimmy Gillies

Sorry Todd

If I got it wrong about the 15mm UK and the 1/2''US copper.

I did not know Aidan pipe was ID and tube was OD, is that the case with all pipe/tube?

Regards.
Jimmy Gillies.

Aidan (UK)

pipe & tubes

I think so. I first heard it here a few years back. I did a google search for "pipe id tube od" and got several hits that confirmed it. Most people interchange the terms, so it would probably be sensible to check their meaning.

UK 1/2" tubes for refrigeration refer to OD, so aren't the same as the old UK 1/2" plumbing pipe.

If you ask the owner of my local plumbers' merchants for 15mm pipe, he says "15mm TUBE" as he puts it on the counter. The emphasis he puts on the word "tube" somehow implies great scorn and weariness.

Sorry to hear about your loss Todd.

I got some Caleffi radiator TRVs with the lockshield valve for about £6 a while back. Is that cheap?

Jimmy Gillies

Aidan

Thanks for that Aidan, I must look into it further.
I hope you & your family are all well.
Kind regards.
Jimmy.
P.S. Sorry again Todd for overlooking your loss, take it easy. Regards Jimmy.

Robert O'Connor_6

I

Have gotten BSPT to NPT fittings from The Parker Store.

http://www.parker.com/ead/cm1.asp?cmid=683

Regards

Robert

ME