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13FIN-PRC004-EN
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Procedure
Provisions For Expansion
Copper tube wall fin elements and
copper tubing, when installed at 40°F
(4.4°C) and operated at 200°F (93°C)
average water temperature, will expand
as much as
1
/8” (3.2 mm) in each 10’ (3
m) length. Provisions must be made to
accommodate this expansion at the
heating element supports and at the
ends of the wall fin elements and piping.
Packless expansion joints and flexible
connectors are commercially available
to accommodate expansion in a
horizontal run of wall fin or at the ends
of piping. Manufacturer’s literature
should be consulted for details.
Charts S-2 and S-3 give the total amount
of expansion for various lengths of
copper or steel tube when installed at
40°F (4.4°C) and operated at different hot
water or steam temperatures.
OPERATING
TEMP*
INSTALLED LENGTH (IN METERS) SI
1.5 3.1 4.6 6.1 7.6 9.1 10.7 12.2 13.7 15.2 16.8 18.3
OPERATING
TEMP*
INSTALLED LENGTH (IN METERS)
SI
204°C
177°C
149°C
121°C
93°C
AMOUNT OF EXPANSION (IN MILLIMETERS)
0 6 13 19 25 32 38 44
Chart S-2— Expansion in Steel Elements and Steel Pipe
OPERATING
TEMP* 5 10 15 20 2530 354045 5055 60
400°F
350°F
300°F
250°F
200°F
0
1
/4
1
/2
3
/4 11
1
/4 1
1
/2 1
3
/4
INSTALLED LENGTH (IN FEET) ENGLISH
AMOUNT OF EXPANSION (IN INCHES)
Chart S-3 — Expansion in Copper-Aluminum Elements and Copper Tube
OPERATING
TEMP* 5 1015202530354045505560
INSTALLED LENGTH (IN FEET) ENGLISH
300°F
250°F
200°F
0
1
/4
1
/2
3
/4 11
1
/4 1
1
/2 1
3
/4
AMOUNT OF EXPANSION (IN INCHES)
1.5 3.1 4.6 6.1 7.6 9.1 10.7 12.2 13.7 15.2 16.8 18.3
0 6 13 19 25 32 38 44
AMOUNT OF EXPANSION (IN MILLIMETERS)
149°C
121°C
93°C
*Based on wall fin installed at 40°F (4.4°C). For wall fin
installed at other temperatures, subtract the installation
temperature from the operating temperature to find the
actual temperature difference. Add this difference to
40°F (4.4°C). Now read in Chart S-2 or S-3 from the
temperature obtained across to installed length and
down to the amount of expansion.