PLUMBING, FIRE SAFETY, AND RADIANT HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE Making ProPEX® Connections
Table of Contents Making ProPEX® Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 General ProPEX Connection Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Milwaukee® ProPEX Expansion Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 With Auto Rotation (Standard Milwaukee Heads) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Without Auto Rotation (Standard Uponor Heads) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Making ProPEX® Connections Uponor ProPEX® F1960 cold-expansion fittings make solid, permanent, manufactured connections without the need for torches, glues, solder, flux or gauges. The unique shape memory of Uponor crosslinked polyethylene (PEX-a) tubing forms a tight seal around the fitting, creating a strong, reliable connection. This document shows how to make proper ProPEX connections using one of the following tools.
Making ProPEX Connections with Milwaukee ProPEX Expansion Tools Note: All standard Uponor Expander Heads are compatible with the M12 and M18 tools. Uponor expander heads will not auto-rotate on the Milwaukee tools (only Milwaukee expansion heads will auto-rotate on the M12 and M18). H-heads are not compatible with Milwaukee tools and Milwaukee heads are not compatible with Uponor tools. Milwaukee heads are easily distinguished by color coding and the Milwaukee logo.
6a 6b 6c ProPEX Fitting Inserted into 1⁄2" Uponor PEX Tubing. Make the Fitting with a Milwaukee M12 ProPEX Expansion Tool. 6d 6e ProPEX Fitting Inserted into 1" Uponor PEX Tubing. Make the Fitting with a Milwaukee M18 ProPEX Expansion Tool. 6. After the final expansion, immediately remove the tool and insert the fitting. Ensure the tubing and ring seat against the shoulder of the fitting. Important! You should feel some resistance as the fitting goes into the tubing.
Making ProPEX Connections with the ProPEX 201 Corded Expander Tool 1. Square cut the PEX tubing perpendicular to the length of the tubing. Remove all excess material or burrs that might affect the fitting connection. 2. Slide the ProPEX Ring over the end of the tubing until it reaches the stop edge. If using a ProPEX Ring without a stop edge, extend the ring over the end of the tubing no more than 1⁄16" (1mm). 3. Slide the expander head into the tubing until it stops.
5. Release the trigger, remove the head from the tubing, rotate it 1 ⁄8 turn and slide the head back into the tubing. Continue expanding and rotating until the tubing and ring are snug against the shoulder on the expander head. See Table 1 on page 1 for the recommended number of expansions. Important! Rotating the tool between expansions will provide smooth, even expansion of the tubing. Failure to rotate the tool will cause deep grooves in the tubing which can result in potential leak paths. 6.
Making ProPEX Connections with the ProPEX Hand Expander Tool 1. Square cut the PEX tubing perpendicular to the length of the tubing. Remove all excess material or burrs that might affect the fitting connection. 2. Slide the ProPEX Ring over the end of the tubing until it reaches the stop edge. If using a ProPEX Ring without a stop edge, extend the ring over the end of the tubing no more than 1⁄16" (1mm).
With Auto Rotation 4. When using a ProPEX Hand Expander Tool with the ProPEX Auto Rotation Adapter, simply hold the tubing and tool in place while separating and closing the handles to expand the tubing. The Auto Rotation Adapter will automatically rotate to ensure the tubing is evenly expanded. Continue expanding until the tubing and ring are snug against the shoulder on the expander head. See Table 1 on page 1 for the recommended number of expansions for each tubing size. 4a 4b 5.
Making 3⁄8" ProPEX Connections Disconnecting a ProPEX Brass Fitting The 3⁄8" ProPEX Ring must be expanded once on each side to properly fit over the tubing. Refer to the following instructions to make a 3⁄8" ProPEX connection. ProPEX brass and EP fittings are manufactured connections that can be concealed in walls, ceilings and floors. When necessary, ProPEX brass fittings can be disconnected. 1. Square cut the PEX tubing perpendicular to the length of the tubing.
Troubleshooting ProPEX Connections Trouble-free ProPEX installations begin with a tool that is maintained in proper working condition. If the tool or segment fingers are damaged, it is very difficult to make a proper connection. Refer to the following guidelines to assist with challenges in the field. Expansion with Proper Rotation Fittings Won’t Seal • Make sure the expander head is securely tightened onto the tool. • Ensure the segment fingers are not bent.
PPEXConnect_InsG_P451_0712, Copyright © 2012 Uponor, Inc. Printed in the United States Uponor, Inc. 5925 148th Street West Apple Valley, MN 55124 USA Tel: 800.321.4739 Fax: 952.891.2008 www.uponorpro.com Uponor Ltd. 2000 Argentia Rd., Plaza 1, Ste. 200 Mississauga, ON L5N 1W1 CANADA Tel: 888.994.7726 Fax: 800.638.9517 www.uponorpro.
