Copper pipes and expansion

[jon26]

As a rule of thumb, what length of heating F&R pipework requires an expansion loop to be fitted to allow for pipework expansion in copper pipes? Am I correct in saying a 1m length of copper pipe can increase in length by 1mm when hot, hence a 10m length could increase by 10mm??

 

[giblets]

10.08mm when heated through 60degC. But hey, what's 0.08mm between friends.

 

[jon26]

10.08mm when heated through 60degC. But hey, what's 0.08mm between friends.

0.08mm eh...

Have you ever made an expansion loop on a system, would you say a 20m run required one??

 

[gas4you]

Don't know if it is fact or fiction, but I have always been taught no more than 6m of copper pipe in a straight length

 

[ChrisR]

Recently did the sums for copper going 7 floors up the outside of a building. COuld bore you to death about 2 anchor bending, 3 anchor, etc etc. Bellows constrained and unconstrained, slip joints , spring hangers....

What did surprise me was some sums I did on the force on the ends of a heated, constranied pipe, it runs into tens of tonnes.
To absorb 10mm of movement you'd need a square U shaped loop something like 600mm on the side.

 

[jon26]

Recently did the sums for copper going 7 floors up the outside of a building. COuld bore you to death about 2 anchor bending, 3 anchor, etc etc. Bellows constrained and unconstrained, slip joints , spring hangers....

What did surprise me was some sums I did on the force on the ends of a heated, constranied pipe, it runs into tens of tonnes.
To absorb 10mm of movement you'd need a square U shaped loop something like 600mm on the side.

tens of tonnes... blimey!
I suppose using plastic would get around all this??

 

[giblets]

Have you ever made an expansion loop on a system, would you say a 20m run required one?

Many times & Yes.