User Guide

Plumbing Design Assistance Manual l Chapter 2 – Making ProPEX connections l 7
Chapter 2:
Making ProPEX connections
Uponor ProPEX ASTM F1960 (CAN/CSA B137.5)
cold-expansion ttings make solid, permanent,
manufactured connections without the need for torches,
glues, solder, ux or gauges. The unique shape memory
of Uponor PEX piping forms a tight seal around the tting,
creating a strong, reliable connection.
This document shows how to make proper ProPEX connections
using one of the following tools.
• Milwaukee
®
M12™ or M18™ ProPEX expansion tools
• Milwaukee M18 FORCELOGIC™ ProPEX Expansion Tool
• ProPEX 201 Corded Expander Tool
• ProPEX Hand Expander Tool
Distance between
ttings
Uponor requires a minimum
distance between ProPEX
ttings to ensure the ttings
are not damaged during the
expansion process by the
expander head. Refer to Table
2-1 for the minimum distance
between ttings, which is
expressed as cut length of pipe.
General ProPEX
connection tips
• If the tting does not slide into
the piping all the way to the
stop, immediately remove it
from the piping and expand
the piping one nal time.
Note: To avoid over-
expanding the piping, do
not hold the piping in the
expanded position.
• Table 2-2 shows the
recommended number of
expansions. Experience,
technique and weather
conditions inuence the
actual number of expansions.
Fewer expansions may be
necessary under certain
conditions. The correct
number of expansions is the
amount necessary for the
piping and the shoulder of the
tting to t snugly together.
• Ensure the ProPEX ring rests
snugly against the tting
shoulder. If there is more
than
1
⁄16" (1mm) between the
ring and the shoulder of the
tting, the connection must
be replaced. Square cut the
piping 2" away from the tting
for ½" to 1" pipe, 3" away for
1¼" to 2" pipe and 5" away
for 2½" and 3" pipe prior to
making the new connection.
• Brass ProPEX ttings
can be disconnected and
reused. EP ttings must be
discarded. Be sure to follow
the recommended minimum
distance between ProPEX
ttings shown in Table 2-1.
Piping
size
Milwaukee ProPEX tool Uponor ProPEX tool
M12 M18 FORCELOGIC Manual 100/150 201
⅜" 8 9 — 5 7 —
½" 5 6 — 4 4 —
¾" 9 8 — 9 9H —
1" 12 5 — 14 7H —
1¼" — 7 — — 7H —
1½" — 6 — — 8H —
2" — — 4 — — 5H
2½" — — 5 — — —
3" — — 7 — — —
Table 2-2: Recommended number of expansions for ⅜" to 3"
piping at 73.4ºF (23ºC)
Note: “H” in the table refers to Uponor H-series expander heads.
Nominal
fitting size
Cut length
of pipe
½" 2"
¾" 3"
1" 3½"
1¼" 4½"
1½" 4½"
2" 6"
2½" 7½"
3" 9"
Table 2-1: Minimum distance
between ProPEX ttings
Cut length of pipe