Alexei Volkov
Measuring a plastic drain pipe is a crucial skill for plumbing and building projects. While it may seem straightforward, it's important to measure the right diameter with the right unit to ensure you order the correct size. Pipes are categorized into three types: male, female, and no-thread pipes, and each type is measured differently. For instance, male pipes have grooves on the outside, while female pipes have grooves on the inside. The nominal pipe size (NPS) is the standard measurement used in North America, referring to the outside diameter. However, PVC pipes are measured using the inner diameter. To find the nominal pipe size, you can use a sizing chart that matches your pipe's outer diameter with its nominal size.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Measurement type | Outer diameter, inner diameter, circumference, nominal pipe size |
| Tools | Measuring tape, ruler, caliper |
| Units | Metric (mm), inch/imperial (in) |
| Pipe types | Male, female, no-thread |
| Pipe materials | PVC, PEX, CPVC, copper, polypropylene, acrylic, steel |
| Pipe schedules | Schedule 40, Schedule 80 |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring the outside diameter
The next step is to gather your tools. You can measure the outside diameter of a pipe with a ruler, tape measure, or caliper. A tape measure or caliper is preferable as it can conform to the pipe's curve. If you are using a tape measure, it should be flexible enough to wrap around the pipe.
Now, you can begin measuring. Place one end of your measuring tape at the outer edge of the pipe. Stretch the tape measure across the pipe until you reach the very edge of the opposite side. This measurement is the outer diameter. It is important to note that the pipe's outer diameter is not the same as its circumference. If you want to find the circumference, you will need to multiply the diameter by pi.
Finally, you can check your measurement against a pipe sizing chart. These charts are available online and will help you understand the size of your pipe. It is important to remember that pipe sizes are not always interchangeable. For example, a 50mm pipe in the metric system will not fit into an inch-and-a-half socket from the imperial system.
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Using a sizing chart
Measuring a plastic drain pipe can be a little confusing, especially as PVC pipes are measured using the inner diameter, while most other types of pipes, tubes, and rods are sized and measured based on the outer diameter. However, you can use a sizing chart to make the process easier.
First, you need to identify the type of pipe you are dealing with. Pipes can be made from different materials, including plastic, copper, iron, or steel. Some pipes, especially PVC, CPVC, or PEX pipes, may have the size labelled on the side, which refers to the outside diameter. If your pipe is labelled, you don't need to measure it.
If your pipe is not labelled, you will need to measure it yourself. You can do this by measuring the outer diameter of your pipe with a caliper or a soft tape measure. Then, check online for a pipe sizing chart. Compare your measurement with the sizing chart, and you'll know exactly which size you're working with.
It's important to note that PVC pipes have different schedules, which refer to the thickness of the pipe wall. As the PVC Schedule number increases, the pipe wall gets thicker, making the inside diameter smaller. This is important to consider when using internal fit products and accessories.
Additionally, keep in mind that PVC pipe uses a different sizing system than other types of pipes. For example, a 2" PVC fitting will not fit on a 2" piece of copper tube size pipe, but it will always fit on a 2" nominal size PVC pipe.
By using a sizing chart and understanding the unique characteristics of PVC pipes, you can accurately determine the size of your plastic drain pipe.
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Understanding nominal pipe size
Nominal Pipe Size, or NPS, is a North American standard for measuring pipes used for various pressures and temperatures. NPS is widely accepted in the USA, but there are some things to keep in mind to find the right nominal pipe size. Nominal refers to the pipe in non-specific terms and identifies the diameter of the hole with a non-dimensional number. For example, a 2-inch nominal steel pipe consists of many varieties of steel pipe, with the only criterion being a 2.375-inch (60.3 mm) outside diameter.
The NPS standard was first introduced with three wall thicknesses: Standard (STD), Extra Strong (XS), and Double Extra Strong (XXS). This meant that the NPS values always gave the same inner diameter of the pipe. However, today multiple pipe thicknesses are used, and the NPS value has become indirectly related to the inner and outer diameter of the pipe. The inner diameter or the thickness of the wall won't be mentioned in the NPS standard and can instead be found in pipe schedule parameters.
The nominal size of a pipe is not always the same as its actual size. For instance, a 2" size pipe is named 2 inches, but does not actually measure 2 inches. This is why using a sizing chart is important, as it can be confusing and lead to incorrect orders. The nominal size is related to the physical size in millimetres of the bore (ID) or outside diameter (OD) of the end connections.
To measure the nominal size of a pipe, you must first measure the outer diameter of your pipe with a caliper or a measuring tape. Then, check online for a pipe sizing chart and compare your measurement with the sizing chart.
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Measuring the inside diameter
First, it's important to determine the type of pipe you're dealing with. Some pipes, especially PVC, CPVC, or PEX pipes, may have the size labelled on the side, which refers to the outside diameter. If the size is not labelled, you will need to measure it yourself.
Before measuring, it's crucial to identify if you need to measure the outside or inside diameter of the pipe. For plastic pipes, the outside diameter is typically used for measurement, as the pipe needs to fit into a socket. However, if you specifically need the inside diameter, you can proceed with the following steps:
You can start by measuring the outside diameter with a caliper, flexible measuring tape, or a string. If you're using a measuring tape, wrap it around the circumference of the pipe. Then, divide the circumference measurement by pi (approximately 3.14159). This will give you the outside diameter.
Next, you can determine the inside diameter by understanding the pipe's characteristics. Schedule 80 PVC pipe, for example, has a thicker wall and, consequently, a smaller inside diameter compared to Schedule 40 PVC pipe. Alternatively, you can refer to a pipe sizing chart that matches the outside diameter measurement to the corresponding inside diameter.
It's important to note that pipe sizes can be deceiving. For example, a pipe labelled as a "'2-inch' pipe" may not measure exactly 2 inches in outside or inside diameter. Using a sizing chart and understanding how pipe sizes are measured can help you avoid confusion and errors in your project.
Additionally, keep in mind that the pipe's pressure rating may affect the inside diameter. A higher pressure rating may result in a thicker pipe wall, which reduces the inside diameter while keeping the outside diameter constant.
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Recognising male and female threads
Measuring a plastic drain pipe is a crucial skill for plumbing and building projects. This process can be confusing, as the nominal pipe size does not always match the actual measurements. For example, a 2" size pipe does not measure 2" exactly in diameter.
To measure a plastic drain pipe, first, determine if you need to measure the outside or inside diameter. For a male thread, you will measure the outside diameter, while for a female thread, you will measure the inside diameter. Use a ruler, measuring tape, or caliper to collect this measurement. Then, refer to a pipe sizing chart to determine the nominal pipe size.
Now, recognising male and female threads: Male threads are on the outside of the pipe, while female threads are on the inside. Male pipe threads are usually found on the pipe itself, while female threads are made on fittings with a larger diameter than the pipe. Male and female threads work together to help pipes fit together.
A pitch gauge is a tool used to measure the distance between the crests of threads. For NPT, BSPT, BSPP, and BSPP threads, the number of threads per inch is measured. For metric threads, the pitch gauge identifies the distance between each individual crest in millimetres.
It is important to note that pipes can only take male pipe threads. To join two male pipes, a female thread pipe coupling is required.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a measuring tape, ruler, or caliper to measure the outer diameter of the pipe. This is the measurement from one outer edge of the pipe to the other. Then, check a pipe sizing chart to determine the nominal pipe size.
Nominal pipe size (NPS) is the term used for the standard sizing of pipes. The NPS refers to the outer diameter of the pipe. For example, a 2 NPS pipe has an outer diameter of 2 ⅜ inches.
The outer diameter measurement is important because it ensures a snug fit when the pipe is placed into a socket. The inside diameter may change as the pipe wall thickness changes, but the outer diameter always remains the same.
