Many heating pipes in existing buildings are made of thick-walled steel pipe. That makes repairs and upgrades difficult, because the system has to be completely drained in order to carry out the necessary welding work. With the Megapress system, Viega has included a press system in its portfolio which renders labour-intensive welding on steel pipes superfluous. New 3/8 inch press connectors have now been added to the system. The new dimension offers benefits particularly when replacing radiators in old buildings.
Viega launched Megapress about a year ago as Europe's first press connector system for installations featuring thick-walled steel pipe. Following the market launch featuring ½ to 2 inch dimensions for industrial applications, the system is now also available in 3/8 inch size for typical radiator installations in the housing sector.
In old buildings, especially, it is now much easier to replace radiators and valves or upgrade complete installations: The "cold" connecting technique means the work can be carried out with no fire risk, even while rooms are still being lived in. Moreover, the heating pipes no longer have to be completely drained for carrying out repairs, as is the case when welding.
Practical, extensive range
The addition of the 3/8 inch nominal width to the range comprises a total of 16 articles, including elbows, couplings, T-pieces, threaded transitions and reducers. As a result, all common installation applications are covered, such as for upgrading of energy systems. This might involve exchanging valves or radiators, laying piping, or installing additional radiators, such as a towel rail in a bathroom.
It makes no difference whether the steel pipes are in threaded or smoke tube quality, black, painted, or powder-coated: thanks to their special profile sealing elements, the Megapress connectors always seal reliably even on these in part very rough surfaces.
The Megapress connectors are pressed using the familiar Viega Pressgun 5 or Pressgun Picco press tools. Matching press jaws are available for all system dimensions.
Integrated SC-Contur
As is standard from Viega, the 3/8 inch Megapress connectors also feature the SC-Contur, with forced leakage when not pressed. Consequently, any connections missed from pressing can clearly be visibly identified in the centralised leakage test. After pressing, the connector is immediately permanently leak-tight.
In centralised leakage testing of heating systems, the SC-Contur means that any Megapress connectors missed from pressing are identified as visibly leaking in the dry leakage test across the entire test range from 22 mbar to 3.0 bar. In the wet leakage test they are identified across the entire test range from 1.0 to 6.5 bar.
Approvals even for shipbuilding
The new connectors are rated for operating pressures up to 16 bar and operating temperatures up to 110 °C. They are thus suitable for heating installations as well as for correspondingly dimensioned industrial applications, such as for control lines. Other approvals for this system have been obtained from DNV/ GL, Lloyd's Register, including for shipbuilding.
