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Nominal Pipe Size - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nominal Pipe Size

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) is a North American set of standard sizes for pipes used for high or low pressures and temperatures.[1] Pipe
size is specified with two non-dimensional numbers: a nominal pipe size (NPS) for diameter based on inches, and a schedule (Sched. or
Sch.) for wall thickness. NPS is often incorrectly called National Pipe Size, due to confusion with national pipe thread (NPT). The
European designation equivalent to NPS is DN (diamtre nominal/nominal diameter/Durchmesser nach Norm), in which sizes are measured
in millimetres.[2] The term NB (nominal bore) is also frequently used interchangeably with NPS.

Contents
1 History
2 Application
3 NPS tables for selected sizes
3.1 NPS to NPS 3
3.2 NPS 4 to NPS 9
3.3 NPS 10 to NPS 24
3.4 NPS 26 to NPS 36
3.5 Additional sizes (NPS)
4 See also
5 Notes
6 References
6.1 Bibliography
7 External links

History
In March 1927, the American Standards Association authorized a committee to standardize the dimensions of wrought steel and wrought
iron pipe and tubing. At that time only a small selection of wall thicknesses were in use: standard weight (STD), extra-strong (XS), and
double extra-strong (XXS), based on the iron pipe size (IPS) system of the day. However these three sizes did not fit all applications. The
committee surveyed the industry and created a system of schedule numbers that designated wall thicknesses based on smaller steps
between sizes,[3] although IPS and NPS numbers remain equivalent.
The original intent was that each schedule would relate to a given pressure rating, however the numbers deviated so far from wall
thicknesses in common use that this original intent could not be accomplished.[3][note 1] Also, in 1939, it was hoped that the designations of
STD, XS, and XXS would be phased out by schedule numbers, however those original terms are still in common use today (although
sometimes referred to as standard, extra-heavy (XH), and double extra-heavy (XXH), respectively). Since the original schedules were
created, there have been many revisions and additions to the tables of pipe sizes based on industry use and on standards from API, ASTM,
and others.[3]
Stainless steel pipes, which were coming into more common use in the mid 20th century, permitted the use of thinner pipe walls with much
less risk of failure due to corrosion. By 1949 thinner schedules 5S and 10S, which were based on the pressure requirements modified to
the nearest BWG number, had been created, and other "S" sizes followed later. Due to their thin walls, the smaller "S" sizes can not be
threaded together according to ASME code, but must be fusion welded.[4]

Application
Based on the NPS and schedule of a pipe, the pipe outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness can be obtained from reference tables such
as those below, which are based on ASME standards B36.10M and B36.19M. For example, NPS 14 Sch 40 has an OD of 14 inches
and a wall thickness of 0.437 inches. However the NPS and OD values are not always equal, which can create confusion.
For NPS to 12 inches, the NPS and OD values are different. For example, the OD of an NPS 12 pipe is actually 12.75 inches.
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To find the actual OD for each NPS value, refer to the tables below. (Note that for tubing, the size is always the actual OD.)
For NPS 14 inches and up, the NPS and OD values are equal. In other words, an NPS 14 pipe is actually 14 inches OD.
The reason for the discrepancy for NPS to 12 inches is that these NPS values were originally set to give the same inside diameter (ID)
based on wall thicknesses standard at the time. However, as the set of available wall thicknesses evolved, the ID changed and NPS
became only indirectly related to ID and OD.
For a given NPS, the OD stays fixed and the wall thickness increases with schedule. For a given schedule, the OD increases with NPS
while the wall thickness stays constant or increases. Using equations and rules in ASME B31.3 Process Piping, it can be shown that
pressure rating decreases with increasing NPS and constant schedule.[note 1]
Some specifications use pipe schedules called standard wall (STD), extra strong (XS), and double extra strong (XXS), although these
actually belong to an older system called iron pipe size (IPS). The IPS number is the same as the NPS number. STD is identical to SCH
40S, and 40S is identical to 40 for NPS 1/8 to NPS 10, inclusive. XS is identical to SCH 80S, and 80S is identical to 80 for NPS 1/8 to
NPS 8, inclusive. XXS wall is thicker than schedule 160 from NPS 1/8" to NPS 6" inclusive, and schedule 160 is thicker than XXS wall
for NPS 8" and larger.
Blockage or Ball Test: When a pipe is welded or bent the most common method to inspect blockages, misalignment, ovality, and weld
bead dimensional conformity is to pass a round ball through the pipe coil or circuit. If the inner pipe dimension is to bemeasured then you
should subtract the weld bead, if welding is applicable. Typically, the clearance tolerance for the ball must not exceed 1mm. Allowable
ovality of any pipe is measured on the inside dimension of the pipe, normally 5% to 10% ovality can be accepted. If no other test is
conducted to verify ovality, or blockages, this test must be seen as a standard requirement. A flow test can not be used in lieu of a
Blockage or Ball Test. See pipe dimensional table, Specification ASME B36.10M or B36.19M for pipe dimensions per schedule.
Stainless steel pipe is most often available in standard weight sizes (noted by the "S" designation, for example "NPS Sch 10S"). However
stainless steel pipe can also be available in other schedules.
Both polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe (CPVC) are made in NPS sizes.

NPS tables for selected sizes

NPS to NPS 3

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DN
NPS[5] [2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5

SCH
10s/10

SCH 60

SCH
40s/40
/STD

SCH
80s/80
/XS

SCH 200

SCH 300

XXS

0.405
(10.29)

0.035
(0.889)

0.049
(1.245)

0.057
(1.448)

0.068
(1.727)

0.095
(2.413)

0.540
(13.72)

0.049
(1.245)

0.065
(1.651)

0.073
(1.854)

0.088
(2.235)

0.119
(3.023)

10

0.675
(17.15)

0.049
(1.245)

0.065
(1.651)

0.073
(1.854)

0.091
(2.311)

0.126
(3.200)

15

0.840
(21.34)

0.065
(1.651)

0.083
(2.108)

0.095
(2.413)

0.109
(2.769)

0.147
(3.734)

0.188
(4.775)

0.294
(7.468)

20

1.050
(26.67)

0.065
(1.651)

0.083
(2.108)

0.095
(2.413)

0.113
(2.870)

0.154
(3.912)

0.219
(5.563)

0.308
(7.823)

25

1.315
(33.40)

0.065
(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.114
(2.896)

0.133
(3.378)

0.179
(4.547)

0.250
(6.350)

0.358
(9.093)

32

1.660
(42.16)

0.065
(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.117
(2.972)

0.140
(3.556)

0.191
(4.851)

0.250
(6.350)

0.382
(9.703)

40

1.900
(48.26)

0.065
(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.125
(3.175)

0.145
(3.683)

0.200
(5.080)

0.281
(7.137)

0.400
(10.160)

50

2.375
(60.33)

0.065
(1.651)

0.109
(2.769)

0.125
(3.175)

0.154
(3.912)

0.218
(5.537)

0.250
(6.350)

0.343
(8.712)

0.436
(11.074)

65

2.875
(73.03)

0.083
(2.108)

0.120
(3.048)

0.188
(4.775)

0.203
(5.156)

0.276
(7.010)

0.300
(7.620)

0.375
(9.525)

0.552
(14.021)

80

3.500
(88.90)

0.083
(2.108)

0.120
(3.048)

0.188
(4.775)

0.216
(5.486)

0.300
(7.620)

0.350
(8.890)

0.438
(11.125)

0.600
(15.240)

90

4.000
(101.60)

0.083
(2.108)

0.120
(3.048)

0.188
(4.775)

0.226
(5.740)

0.318
(8.077)

0.636
(16.154)

Tolerance: The tolerance on pipe OD is +1/64 (.0156)inch, -1/32 (.0312)inch.[6]

NPS 4 to NPS 9

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DN
NPS[5] [2]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]

OD
[in
(mm)] SCH 5 SCH SCH
10s/10 20

SCH
SCH
SCH
40s/40 SCH 60 80s/80
30
/STD
/XS

SCH
100

SCH
120

SCH
140

SCH
160

XXS[5]

100

4.500
0.083 0.120

(114.30) (2.108) (3.048)

0.188 0.237 0.281

0.337

(4.775) (6.020) (7.137) (8.560)

115

5.000

(127.00)

0.247

(6.274)

125

5.563
0.109 0.134

(141.30) (2.769) (3.404)

150

6.625
0.109 0.134

(168.28) (2.769) (3.404)

7[5]

7.625

(193.68)

200

8.625
0.109 0.148 0.250 0.277 0.322 0.406
0.500
0.593
0.719
0.812
0.906
0.875
(219.08) (2.769) (3.759) (6.350) (7.036) (8.179) (10.312) (12.700) (15.062) (18.263) (20.625) (23.012) (22.225)

9[5]

9.625

(244.48)

0.437

(11.100)

0.531
0.674
(13.487) (17.120)

0.355

(9.017)

0.258

(6.553)

0.375

(9.525)

0.500

(12.700)

0.625
0.750
(15.875) (19.050)

0.280

(7.112)

0.432

(10.973)

0.562

(14.275)

0.719
0.864
(18.263) (21.946)

0.301

(7.645)

0.500

(12.700)

0.342

(8.687)

0.500

(12.700)

0.710
(18.034)

0.875
(22.225)

NPS 10 to NPS 24
DN
NPS[5] [2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5s

SCH 5

SCH 10s

SCH 10

SCH 20

SCH 30

SCH
40s/STD

10

250

10.75
(273.05)

0.134
(3.404)

0.134
(3.404)

0.165
(4.191)

0.165
(4.191)

0.250
(6.350)

0.307 (7.798) 0.365 (9.271)

12

300

12.75
(323.85)

0.156
(3.962)

0.165
(4.191)

0.180
(4.572)

0.180
(4.572)

0.250
(6.350)

0.330 (8.382) 0.375 (9.525)

14

350

14.00
(355.60)

0.156
(3.962)

0.156
(3.962)

0.188
(4.775)

0.250
(6.350)

0.312
(7.925)

0.375 (9.525) 0.375 (9.525)

16

400

16.00
(406.40)

0.165
(4.191)

0.165
(4.191)

0.188
(4.775)

0.250
(6.350)

0.312
(7.925)

0.375 (9.525) 0.375 (9.525)

18

450

18.00
(457.20)

0.165
(4.191)

0.165
(4.191)

0.188
(4.775)

0.250
(6.350)

0.312
(7.925)

0.437
(11.100)

0.375 (9.525)

20

500

20.00
(508.00)

0.188
(4.775)

0.188
(4.775)

0.218
(5.537)

0.250
(6.350)

0.375
(9.525)

0.500
(12.700)

0.375 (9.525)

22

550

22.00
(558.80)

0.188
(4.775)

0.188
(4.775)

0.218
(5.537)

0.250
(6.350)

0.375
(9.525)

0.500
(12.700)

0.375 (9.525)

24

600

24.00
(609.60)

0.218
(5.537)

0.218
(5.537)

0.250
(6.350)

0.250
(6.350)

0.375
(9.525)

0.562
(14.275)

0.375 (9.525)

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Wall thickness
[in (mm)]

NPS[5]
SCH 40

SCH 60

SCH 80s/XS

SCH 80

SCH 100

SCH 120

SCH 140

SCH 160

10

0.365 (9.271)

0.500
(12.700)

0.500
(12.700)

0.593
(15.062)

0.718
(18.237)

0.843
(21.412)

1.000
(25.400)

1.125
(28.575)

12

0.406
(10.312)

0.562
(14.275)

0.500
(12.700)

0.687
(17.450)

0.843
(21.412)

1.000
(25.400)

1.125
(28.575)

1.312
(33.325)

14

0.437
(11.100)

0.593
(15.062)

0.500
(12.700)

0.750
(19.050)

0.937
(23.800)

1.093
(27.762)

1.250
(31.750)

1.406
(35.712)

16

0.500
(12.700)

0.656
(16.662)

0.500
(12.700)

0.843
(21.412)

1.031
(26.187)

1.218
(30.937)

1.437
(36.500)

1.593
(40.462)

18

0.562
(14.275)

0.750
(19.050)

0.500
(12.700)

0.937
(23.800)

1.156
(29.362)

1.375
(34.925)

1.562
(39.675)

1.781
(45.237)

20

0.593
(15.062)

0.812
(20.625)

0.500
(12.700)

1.031
(26.187)

1.280
(32.512)

1.500
(38.100)

1.750
(44.450)

1.968
(49.987)

22

0.875
(22.225)

0.500
(12.700)

1.125
(28.575)

1.375
(34.925)

1.625
(41.275)

1.875
(47.625)

2.125
(53.975)

24

0.687
(17.450)

0.968
(24.587)

0.500
(12.700)

1.218
(30.937)

1.531
(38.887)

1.812
(46.025)

2.062
(52.375)

2.343
(59.512)

NPS 26 to NPS 36
DN
NPS[5] [2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH 5s

SCH 10s

SCH 10

SCH 20

SCH 30

SCH
40s/STD

SCH 40

SCH
80s/XS

26

650

26.000
(660.400)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.375
(9.525)

0.500
(12.700)

28

700

28.000
(711.200)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375
(9.525)

0.500
(12.700)

30

750

30.000
(762.000)

0.250
(6.350)

0.312
(7.925)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375
(9.525)

0.500
(12.700)

32

800

32.000
(812.800)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375
(9.525)

0.688
(17.475)

0.500
(12.700)

34

850

34.000
(863.600)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375
(9.525)

0.688
(17.475)

0.500
(12.700)

36

900

36.000
(914.400)

0.312
(7.925)

0.500
(12.700)

0.625
(15.875)

0.375
(9.525)

0.750
(19.050)

0.500
(12.700)

Additional sizes (NPS)

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DN
[2]

OD
[in (mm)]

Wall thickness
[in (mm)]
SCH STD

SCH XS

40 1000 40.000 (1,016.000) 0.375 (9.525) 0.500 (12.700)

42 1050 42.000 (1,066.800) 0.375 (9.525) 0.500 (12.700)
44 1100 44.000 (1,117.600) 0.375 (9.525) 0.500 (12.700)
46 1150 46.000 (1,168.400) 0.375 (9.525) 0.500 (12.700)
48 1200 48.000 (1,219.200) 0.375 (9.525) 0.500 (12.700)
52 1300 52.000 (1,320.800) ?

56 1400 56.000 (1,422.400) ?

60 1500 60.000 (1,524.000) ?

64 1600 64.000 (1,625.600) ?

68 1700 68.000 (1,727.200) ?

72 1800 72.000 (1,828.800) ?

76 1900 76.000 (1,930.400) ?

80 2000 80.000 (2,032.000) ?

88 2200 88.000 (2,235.200) ?

See also
British standard pipe thread sizes
Copper tubing sizes
National pipe thread sizes
Pipe (fluid conveyance)
Pipe sizes
Pipe thread sizes

Notes
1. ^ a b This is contrary to the McGraw Hill Piping Handbook, which says that the schedule number can be converted to pressure by dividing
the schedule by 1000 and multiplying by the allowable stress of the material. [Nayyar and Mohinder, 2000.]

References
1. ^ ASME B36.10M-2004, p. 1
2. ^ a b c d e f NPS - "Nominal Pipe Size" and DN - "Diamtre Nominal" (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/nps-nominal-pipe-sizesd_45.html), EngineeringToolbox.com
3. ^ a b c ASME B36.10M-2004, p. iv
4. ^ ASME Standard 36.19M-2004, p. iv
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Table of Pipe Schedules (http://www.engineersedge.com/pipe_schedules.htm) from EngineersEdge.com.
6. ^ ASTM A999

Bibliography
Nayyar, P.E., Mohinder L. (2000). "A1". In Mohinder L. Nayyar, P.E. Piping Handbook (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
ISBN 0-07-047106-1.
ASME B36.10M - Welded and Seamless Wrought Steel Pipe.
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ANSI/ASME Standard 36.19M - Stainless Steel Pipe.

External links
Notes on Pipe (http://www.gizmology.net/pipe.htm)PVC Pipe weights and max PSI
Quick calculator to determine standard pipe dimensions (http://www.enggcyclopedia.com/welcome-to-enggcyclopedia/pipedim/standard-piping-dimensions-carbon-steel-stainless-steel-ansi) For Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel pipes as per ANSI.
[1] (http://www.novanumeric.com/samples.php?CalcName=Schedule) - Online Pipe Schedule Calculator
Nominal Pipe Size NPS, Nominal Bore NB, Outside Diameter OD (http://www.piping-engineering.com/nominal-pipe-size-npsnominal-bore-nb-outside-diameter-od.html)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nominal_Pipe_Size&oldid=565854909"
Categories: Piping Mechanical standards
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