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Introducing: The Super Modular System for FPT/MPT plastic pvc pipe fittings in Sch 40 and Sch 80

The Background: Pipe sizing and dimensions go back over 100 years. In fact they go all the way back to the clay pipes of the Roman Empire. Starting at the turn of the last century IPS (Iron Pipe Size) made it's start in the modern plumbing revolution. Over the years technology has invented many substitutes for the iron in IPS, but the dimensions and technology has not changed. The same "interference thread" system used for Iron Pipe Size has been carried over into the plastic pipe world. Amazingly, it did a great job for almost 100 years. However, anyone who has threaded in a pipe nipple into a female plastic pipe fitting knows you have 3 states of matter: 1) Leaking, 2) Sealed perfectly and 3) Cracked. With the difference between leaking & cracked as little as 1/16th of a turn. :-)

That is because plastic pipe is not designed to handle the extreme pressure interference threads put on the fitting. Every turn you make is trying to explode the fitting. Over the years we've used teflon paste, pipe dope, and teflon tape to try and seal the threads, stop the leaks and keep the fittings from cracking, but the success rate has only been "just okay."

The Solution: The Modular O-Ringed Fitting.

The Modular O-Ringed Fitting obviously uses an O-Ring of EPDM rubber to make the seal. You no longer have to tighten the fitting to make the seal, the O-Ring goes it with very modest pressure. Also, unlike a traditional nipple and FPT, it's easy to take apart. In fact, you usually don't even need tools. Hand tightening is all that is required. Additionally for some applications, you can use the adapter as a union and/or bulkhead fitting. The key uses of Modular O-Ringed Fittings:

1. Adapt the old style FPT or MPT to modern Modular O-Ringed Fittings. There are fittings for slip sockets (Sch 40 or 80 plastic pvc pipe glues into it.) or spigot (it glues into Sch 40 or 80 plastic pvc pipe fittings), Female Iron Pipe Fittings or MPT nipples and/or fittings.
2. Because Modular O-Ringed Fittings don't need tools to tighten them, you can use them as a union so you can easily take apart the plumbing system.
3. Some of the Modular O-Ringed Fitting adapters can be used as a bulk head fitting.
4. There are several Modular O-Ringed Fitting Manifolds available.

The only down side is that the range of sizes and fittings is limited. Currently most of the fittings are only available for 1", however there are a few for 1.5" and 2", and there are barb adapters to convert 1/2" hose, 3/4" hose and 1" hose to use the modular fittings.

EXAMPLES (For the full line of Modular O-Ringed Fittings, Adapters, Converters and Manifolds click here.

To the left you see a FPT adapter. One side is a slip socket for pipe to glue into and the other side has a o-ring and collar to secure against a MPT fitting or nipple. This type of fitting is available for 1", 1.5" and 2" pvc pipe.

To the left you see a MPT adapter. One side is a o-ringed FPT to mate with a nipple or MPT fitting and the other side has a o-ring and MPT's to thread into a FPT fitting. This is a conversion fitting. That is, if you already have a MPT fitting you attach this fitting to it, and it now converts to the Modular O-Ringed Fitting. It also allows you to easily disconnect this fitting without having any sealing problems or leaks. This type of fitting is available for 1", 1.5" and 2" pvc pipe.

6 Port Modular O-Ring Manifold (also available in 4 and 5 port models) to the left and a Modular O-Ring Cross to the right. You can find more Modular O-Ringed Fittings, Adapters, Converters and Manifolds here.