Pipe work
The most common pipe work you will find on refrigeration systems is made of copper. It is sized by the actual outside diameter and comes in lengths of 20 feet in hard copper and coils of 50 feet in soft Copper.
There are two common types of copper piping:
* Hard Copper
* Soft Copper
Type L Copper pipes are used in refrigeration as they can be used for higher pressures. They arrive from the producer sealed at both ends to prevent contamination by moisture or dust etc...
The table below shows common pipe sizes:
| Internal Size in Inches | Outside Diameter in Inches |
| 3/8 | 1/2 |
| 1/2 | 5/8 |
| 3/4 | 7/8 |
| 1 | 1-1/8 |
| 1-1/4 | 1-3/8 |
| 1-1/2 | 1-5/8 |
Hard Copper
Hard Copper piping is rigid and is identified by size and name. This type of piping makes a neater installation, but it is more time consuming and difficult to install than soft tubing. It needs very little mechanical support to keep it in position, compared to soft copper.
Soft Copper
Soft, flexible copper tube is really more versatile than rigid copper pipe. It comes in much longer lengths which are rolled and requires fewer joints which reduces leak potential.
Due to its fairly flexible nature it can be positioned and shaped easer which saves time.
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