Fifty years ago, the devices were connected to the gas line in a rigid way - they connected the device directly to the pipe without any flexible adapters. As a result, the stove or other equipment could not be moved a centimeter. Now the approach has changed - flexible gas pipelines are widely used, which solves this problem.
Varieties of gas pipelines
Gas piping is a flexible hose made of metal, rubber or PVC. Its main advantage and difference from the traditional hard way of connecting devices to the gas pipeline is the ability to move already connected devices to a distance that allows the length of the hose.
Gas hoses are made of various materials, so they differ in technical characteristics, service life and conditions of use.
The easiest budget option is rubber hose. It is a rubber sleeve reinforced with textile thread. Despite good elasticity, over time, the liner begins to crack, which is why gas leakage is possible. The service life of a modern rubber-fabric sleeve is up to 5 years (previously up to 2 years).
Rubber-fabric hoses are used only to connect a gas cylinder with the condition that they are replaced with new ones in accordance with the terms recommended by the manufacturer.
Rubber braided rubber liner made of vulcanized rubber. Outside it is protected by a layer of interwoven steel threads, and inside the surface is covered with polymeric materials. Connect such a hose to the device through a special dielectric gasket, since steel serves as a conductor of electricity. The fact that the product is intended for a gas pipeline is evidenced by the color of the braid - a yellow thread woven into the base.
Flexible bellows-type gas inlet combines two characteristics: practicality and safety. In the manufacture of bellows liners, stainless steel and polymeric materials are used. The surface is reinforced with corrugation, which is reinforced with wire. The latter withstands high pressure. Hoses are connected using durable brass or steel fittings with threads and gaskets. Corrugated stainless steel gas hoses stretch significantly, bend at almost any angle. If the product is stretched by no more than 50%, its strength and elasticity are preserved.
There are eyeliners protected by an additional metal sleeve or polymer coating. The upgraded models are equipped with a thermal shutoff valve that prevents the flow of gas when the temperature rises. The advantages of gas bellows hoses are sufficient.
Oxygen hoses belong to another variety of gas pipelines. Characterized by strength and resistance to high pressure. However, they are recommended to be installed only as a temporary option for connecting a gas cylinder, and it is necessary to simultaneously install a gas reducer.
Reinforced PVC hose appeared not so long ago, therefore, problems with access to operation may arise. In terms of service life, PVC hose can compete with gas bellows. It consists of two layers of PVC: black and yellow.
Selection rules
Gas pipelines should be purchased in specialized stores, where product quality can be confirmed by SNIP and GOST certificates, and permission of the Russian Technical Supervision Agency. Each product must be accompanied by a passport, which indicates the production date, service life and recommended replacement period. Before purchasing, inspect the product for damage. Chinese hoses are not recommended for purchase because they wear out quickly.
The range is represented by products of various lengths: from 30 cm to 7 m. It is necessary to choose a hose along the length so that you do not have to use a second one. Extension of sleeves by connecting with each other is not allowed. If the distance between the gas pipeline and the device does not allow the use of one hose, the eyeliner is increased by a metal pipe.
The inlet should connect the pipeline and the device quite freely, without tension. The hose is slightly shortened after gas supply due to pressure.
When connecting a gas stove, the liner length must not exceed 2 m. This is the European standard.
Attached is the diameter of the section. A full gas supply is possible provided that the cross-sectional size is at least 10 mm. Two nuts or one nut and a fitting can be installed at the ends of the hoses. The nut has an internal thread, and the union is external. If the output of the device is direct, a nipple is used for connection. The nut and fitting are selected exactly in size.
Chinese manufacturers fake well-known European brands, so the purchased product must be carefully checked:
- make sure of quality by comparing the passport characteristics with real ones;
- study the certificate of quality;
- inspect.
Chinese counterfeiting is short-lived and can release toxic substances into the air. It happened that the products were made of metals with radioactive impurities.
Suspiciously low-priced eyeliners of well-known brands are 100% likely falsified.
You can opt for a conventional rubber-fabric hose, but you must constantly monitor the degree of wear and tear, to check if a gas smell has appeared. The reinforced hose is most optimal in terms of price and quality, the bellows type eyeliner is characterized by the longest service life and reliability. Moreover, the fitting must be connected to the corrugation by welding or be seamless. Do not take the eyeliner, where the fitting and corrugation are glued together.
Mounting Features
When connecting gas equipment, you need to take into account the nuances of installing an eyeliner:
- Lay the sleeve in an accessible place so that it can be easily replaced if necessary. This is also a safety requirement: it is possible to detect wear on the eyeliner in time.
- Tighten the joints tightly, but do not apply excessive force so as not to break the threads.
- Only suitable metals can be interconnected: brass with copper, steel with steel. It is unacceptable to combine copper with steel - these metals form a galvanic pair.
- Observe bending radius: it must not be less than three times the diameter.
- To lay a sleeve without tension, excesses, twisting.
- Protect the metal from condensation, which leads to corrosion and premature failure of the sleeve.
- It is imperative to install a dielectric gasket between the liner and the tap - it prevents the accumulation of stray currents, which can cause overheating and melting of the rubber.
If you follow all the recommendations, the gas hose will last as long as it should be, and even more.
Advantages and disadvantages of gas pipelines
It is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of gas pipelines, given their type and material of manufacture.
| Type of gas supply | Advantages | disadvantages |
| Rubber hose |
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| Metal braided rubber eyeliner |
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| Bellows-type eyeliner |
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| Oxygen hoses |
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| Reinforced PVC hose |
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For connection of gas equipment, only eyeliner with the corresponding marking is suitable. Do not use water hoses in the gas system.
Safety regulations
A negligent attitude towards gas appliances, the choice of equipment and unprofessional installation are fraught with a gas leak. It is recommended to observe the following safety rules:
- Flexible piping should not be extended by another hose. In each case, only one hose is used that is suitable in length.
- The liner must be made of materials resistant to corrosion and oil.
- Hose specifications must match system specifications.
- It is forbidden to hide the eyeliner box, put it in a shtrob.
- It is necessary to periodically change the eyeliner in accordance with the terms specified by the manufacturer.
If you have doubts about the correct installation or your own strengths, you should contact a licensed specialist who is professionally involved in connecting gas equipment.
Self-Instruction
You can connect a gas device, such as a stove, to the lowering (a branch from the gas riser), independently, if you have a special tool and skills to work with it:
- Using a tap, the gas supply is shut off.
- The device that will be connected to the gas pipeline is installed and leveled.
- A sealant, such as a fum tape, is screwed onto the hose fitting, and the fitting itself is screwed into the tap at the lower end.
- The hose is connected to the equipment. The joint is also pre-sealed. If the diameters do not match, use an adapter.
- Be sure to check the connections for leaks. This will require a soap solution and a brush. The gas supply is resumed, and the solution is applied to the compound with a brush. If it bubbles, the assembly is not tight enough; one or two turns of the seal must be added.
It is difficult for a non-specialist to choose the necessary flexible gas supply from a wide range. You need to know how they differ and what equipment they are suitable for. This aspect and the apparent ease of installation lead to the fact that the sleeve is selected and installed incorrectly.
Monitoring the condition of the hose during the entire operation and checking for leaks after installation are mandatory.
