A Reference Chart for Propane Tank Pipe Sizes
It is best to always consult a qualified and certified technician to advise on the best piping that is needed for your propane tank to properly fuel your appliances. Provided here is a guide for more information for you to refer to.
What You Need to Know About Copper Piping with Your Propane Tank
The service line from the propane tank to the building must be safe and maintain a constant energy supply for the appliance needs. Copper piping is an exceptional option for this connection line as it is flexible and bendable to maneuver through other appliances and obstacles.
Copper is a safe material that is typically corrosion resistant, though if placed underground it may mix with some soils that could cause problems with the integrity of the pipe. Soils containing sulfate and chloride can react with the surface of the copper tubing.
When the copper tubing is getting installed underground, it must be located 12 to 18 inches below the surface to avoid any potential damage from the weight applied above. For peace of mind PVC piping can be placed around the copper tubing for added protection.
What is Polyethylene Tubing?
Not to be confused with PVC piping, which is polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, PE for short, is often used in underground utility work. PE has the added benefit over PVC of being more flexible and is able to work with natural gasses as PVC cannot.
PVC is more commonly used in water and sewage transportation. PE is more suitable for distributing pressurized natural gas, pipelines to carry petroleum products, and transporting compressed gases and air. You will see in the chart below that sizing is available for PE tubing.
How to Read this Chart
Before jumping into the Line Sizing Chart, here is a key for you to refer to in order to translate any abbreviations you do not know:
NPS – Nominal Pipe Size
SDR – Standard Dimension Ratio, which measures the diameter to wall thickness of the pipe
O.D. – Outside Diameter
CTS – Copper Tubing Size
IPS – Iron Pipe Size
