Short Introduction

During the construction of one pipeline there are many pipe fittings with different diameters. Measuring the pipe fittings correctly is the key step for the installation accuracy of the pipeline.

When measuring pipe fittings need the calipers to measure the diameter and the wall thickness to keep sure the correct installation. 

Convert Nominal Diameter to Actual Diameter

To get the accurate measurement of pipe fittings firstly need to change the nominal diameter to actual diameter.   

Nominal diameter is the international standard about sizes of pipe fittings, the unit usually is inch.

Through the simple formula (actual diameter=Inch*25.4) make the nominal diameter in inches to exchange actual diameter in mm, then you can get an accurate dimension which will be the basis of the following measurement.

How to measure the Diameter of Pipe Fittings?

Many ways can be used to measure the pipe fittings, that will be chosen up to the fitting types and measurement needed. The following are some techniques.

Measure OD (outside diameter):

OD means the diameter from the edge of one side to the edge of the other side. Generally using calipers or tapes to measure directly. The measurement conclusion generally records in mm. 

Measure ID (inside diameter) :

ID means the inside distance of the pipeline which doesn’t include the wall thickness.

Small dimension: using the calipers to measure the inside diameter directly.

Big dimension: confirm the wall thickness firstly and then to measure the OD, finally to calculate the ID through a simple formula ID=OD-wall thickness*2.

Same as OD the measurement conclusion records in mm. 

How to measure the Wall Thickness of Pipe Fittings?

Measuring the wall thickness of pipe fittings accurately is very important for matching with the connected pipes or flanges. As a set of piping materials steel pipes, pipe fittings and flanges will be welded together in the pipeline system so they must have the same wall thickness, which can ensure the precision of welding.

There are two types of tools to measure the wall thickness, one is  thickness caliper and the other one is ultrasonic thickness gauge. Thickness caliper is usually for checking the end and ultrasonic thickness gauge can measure any point of pipe fitting. 

Conclusion

By the above ways, you can measure the dimensions of pipe fittings easily and exchange nominal diameter to actual diameter for providing exact data support of installation or maintenance works. Really hope these methods would help you to solve some problems during measure pipe fittings and guarantee the safety and stability of pipeline installation.