Plumbing Water Pipe Size Calculator
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What is the purpose of the Plumbing Water Pipe Size Calculator?
This calculator helps determine the appropriate pipe size for a water system based on the volumetric flow rate and the velocity of water in the pipe. It ensures the selected pipe can handle the required water flow efficiently without causing excessive pressure loss and makes sure pipes drain efficiently.
How do I use the Plumbing Water Pipe Size Calculator?
Input the volumetric flow rate (in gallons per minute or liters per second) and the velocity of water (in feet per second) into the calculator. The calculator will then compute the optimal pipe size needed for your system.
What is the ideal velocity for water in a pipe?
For most plumbing systems, the recommended velocity for water in pipes ranges from 2 to 8 feet per second (0.6 to 2.4 meters per second). Keeping water velocity within this range helps avoid pipe erosion or water hammer issues.
How does the calculator determine the pipe size using the formula?
The calculator uses the following formula to determine the pipe size based on volumetric flow and water velocity:
D= sqrt((0.408 * Q)/v)
Where:
D is the pipe diameter (in inches)
Q is the volumetric flow rate (in gallons per minute, GPM)
v is the velocity of water (in feet per second, ft/s)
Calculation:
Q = 80 GPM and v = 7 FPS
D= sqrt((0.408 * 80)/7)
D= sqrt(32.64/7)
D= 2.16 inches