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There are no normal connectors and thread types in plumbing. Plumbing threads come in different sizes and different styles. Common supply lines, for instance, generally have a 1/2-inch pipe thread on the end which attaches to the faucet, and one of three sizes on the end which attaches to the valve - 3/8-inch compression, 1/2-inch compression, or 1/2-inch FIP.Types of connectors inlcude:* OD Copper Tube* CompressionThis ballcock connector is part of a Flexible Water Connector, a braided hose that connects a faucet or toilet the the water supply stop valve. Toilet connectors are often either a Flexible Water Connector or a Flex Riser. [[File:120x120_toilettankconnector.jpg|none]]This illustration is a Braided Stainless Steel Toilet Tank Connector (Flexible Water Connector,) 3/8" Compression by 7/8" NUT x 12″ length.=== Compression to Compression Straight Stop Valve ===[[File:120x120_12compression38compression.jpg|none]]This compression shutoff valve has compression fittings on both ends, of different sizes. The inlet connection is 1/2" compression for pipes with 5/8" O.D. and the outlet connection is 3/8" OD compression. This is designed to be used with braided stainless steel connectors or risers. So the full connection path would be from the fixture, to the stainless steel connector, to this shutoff valve, then to the 1/2" water supply copper pipe.== American Tapered Pipe Threads NTP ===== 1/2" PEX Faucet Connector ===[[File:120x120_12PEXBarbx12FIPSwivel.jpg|none]]This connector allows a 1/2" PEX water line to go directly to a bathroom sink connector. It is a 3 piece connector consisting of the plastic outer threaded part, a rubber seal ring, and a copper internal nipple that receives the 1/2" PEX water line, sealed by a crimp ring (crimp ring not included.) The 3 piece connector is sold as a single unit. Do not use (PTFE) tape or pipe thread compound as this unit seals by compressing the rubber O ring to the fixture connector. Note the absence of a shutoff stop valve. If a PEX manifold is used, and the fixture has dedicated lines, the water can be shutoff at the manifold without shutting off the water to other household fixtures. A plumber may still choose to install an optional local stop valve even though it is not necessary. === 1/2" PEX to 3/8" Compression ===[[File:120x120_12PEXx38ODComp.jpg|none]]A very common connector used in installations where a home is being converted to PEX. This connector allows 1/2" PEX to connect to compression fittings on fixtures, such as a kitchen sink, with the common 3/8" OD size. This is a straight style stop valve. Remember, OD is an "Outer Diameter" measurement, which is why it appears larger than the 1/2" PEX side of the fitting. Most kitchen sink faucets now have Flexible Water Connectors built in with 3/8" OD fittings. However, there is a lot of diversity in fixture connections and you can never count on something being "common." This stop valve is a "quarter turn" valve, which lasts longer than the older style shutoffs which had an internal compression washer that would go bad. === Transition Coupling PEX to CPVC ===[[File:120x120_12PEXTransitionPVC.jpg|none]]This coupling allows for PEX line to be connected to existing CPVC plastic water line. Some hybrid residential water systems have CPVC, galvanized, and copper at different places in the plumbing, due to various upgrades, repairs, and remodeling over the life of the home. This is especially common in older homes. When removing old galvanized pipe, a plumber may choose to leave some places that have been converted to CPVC in place. This 1/2" PEX to CPVC coupling allows PEX to be connected to existing CPVC pipe. The illustration below shows the inside of the coupling, which is plastic. While the outside is copper, the plastic inside is meant to accept insertion of the plastic 1/2" CPVC pipe. Use PVC primer (purple in color) and CPVC cement to seal the pipe to the coupling.[[File:120x120_12PEXTransitionPVCinside.jpg|none]]Because the purple primer will soften the pipe surface, it is important to apply solvent cement to the pipe and fittings while the primer is still wet to achieve maximum bond strength. Coat the plastic inside of the coupling as well as the CPVC pipe you are connecting it to with the purple primer before applying the adhesive cement (CPVC pipe glue). === Quick Connect 1/2" CTS Coupler ===[[File:120x120_12QuickConnect.jpg|none]]Quick-Connect connectors are becoming increasingly more popular in pluming installations with hybrid pipe types. Pictured is a 1/2" CTS to 1/2" CTS quick connect coupler. CTS stands for Copper Tube Size. With this connector you can join connections to PEX (plastic) CPVC, and copper tubing. They seem to be reliable and are certainly very easy to install. Inside the connecter are rubber seals, plastic and sometimes metal pieces. Like a Chinese finger trap, you can insert the pipe in and it locks from coming back out. It is possible to unlock to remove the pipe if necessary. The CPVC, PEX, or copper pipe is inserted all the way, and a water tight seal is created. Water pressure just aids in the locking action and seal. When used with copper, ensure that the copper is clean and smooth, with no corrosion. If pressed onto copper with corrosion present, there will likely be leakage. It is recommended that you cut the copper tubing, clean it, and mark it just as you would with preparing for any other method of fitting connection. However instead of having to solder, you can simply push the fitting onto the copper until it reaches your mark and snaps tight. Finally, pipes connected with quick connect couplings can be rotated without causing a leak. Also, since there is no opening reduction there is no loss of water pressure or flow. == Pipe Thread Types == * Pipe Threads* Compression Threads* Flare Fittings === American Tapered Pipe Threads NTP ===* Common Terminology: MIP (male pipe thread), FIP (female pipe thread) or NPT (national pipe thread)Some examples of pipe materials making use of MIP fittings include: galvanized steel, black iron, and sometimes thick copper. Galvanized steel most commonly for water, black iron most commonly for natural gas.Some examples of pipe materials making use of MIP fittings include: galvanized steel, black iron, PVC, and sometimes thick copper. Galvanized steel most commonly for water, black iron most commonly for natural gas. === Compression ===Compression threads are not tapered. Because compression threads are measured by the size of the pipe, they are smaller than NTP. Note that a 1/2" compression thread is significantly smaller than a 1/2" pipe thread. Compression thread is common with copper tubing. A metal or plastic ferrul is used (which looks like a ring slipped over the pipe, that the connection compresses down on to create a water tight seal. * Sink faucet supply lines often use compression threads. * A 1/2" copper pipe has a 5/8" OD measurement. === Flare === Flare fittings are somewhat rare in residential plumbing. There are some examples of their use. A special flaring tool has to be used to create the flare end on the copper tubing. This then seats inside the flare fitting to create a water tight seal. == PVC Plastic ==These are three different types of plastic pipe used in plumbing applications. PVC is Poly(Vinyl) Chloride, CPVC is Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl) Chloride and ABS is Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene. PVC and ABS pipe are normally used for drain, waste and vent (DWV) systems, while CPVC is used for water distribution systems. === CPVC Water Supply Line ===CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) is a chlorinated form of PVC that is accepted by building code in most areas for the installation of water supply lines.