Instrument Tubing Selection

There is a huge selection of materials to choose from when selecting

instrument tubing. The selection is dependent on the service, installation and
how long the tubing is required. It is important that these are considered
before making a choice. One has to be careful when selecting polished tubing
as the manufacturers polishing can work harden it and increase the surface
hardness to unacceptable levels. Thus when specifying tubing it is best to
select dull annealed type, then one can be assured that no untoward hardening
has occurred.

Instrument Tubing Preparation

Tube Handling

The tubing surface is ESSENTIAL to sealing when using a compression

fitting, hence good handling practices should be used to reduce scratches and
protect surface finish. For example dragging tubing across any surface that
could scratch its surface can cause real corrosion and sealing problems. On
offshore facilities, scratches may lead to corrosion of 316SS tubing from salt
water pitting.

Visual Inspection of Tubing

It is a good idea to visually inspect instrument tubing to ensure it is free from

scratches and other damage. Severe scratches or damage to tubing could
affect the safe installation of the compression fitting. It is recommended that
tubing in poor condition should be disposed of. Finished tubes should be
scratch free, reasonably straight and have smooth ends free of burrs.

Cutting

When cutting tubing do not use a hacksaw, the correct tool is a tube cutter
which has a sharp blade.

Deburring

Using the correct deburring tool (usually found on the cutter), deburr both the
inside and outside edges of tube ends.

Cleaning

It is recommended that instrument tubing is cleaned with dry instrument air,

however where the service requires a high level of cleanliness a proprietary
cleaning agent should be used.

Instrument Tubing for Hazardous Gas Service

On hazardous gas service take care to ensure that the correct wall thickness
has been chosen. Gas molecules are small and can migrate through thinner
wall tubing. Contact your tubing supplier for details.

Instrument Tube Bending

Tube Benders

On applications where bending is required, a tube bender must be

used. Follow the tube bender manufacturers instructions to assure good
bends. Either compression or draw type hand benders should be used for
tubing up to 1/2 inches. Above this size hydraulic tools are recommended.
Instrument Tubing Bending & Installation - Wesley Tucker - Instruments
around a plant monitor and control systems ranging from pressure differentials
to contents of materials measured in percentages. Installing tubing to and from
various instrument locations involves an understanding of the process and the
application. Tubing installation is often dictated by the requirements of
process. Bending, positioning and bracing tubing means more than just
measuring a straight line and getting enough tube to fit. Tubing benders permit
maximum tolerances for pressurized lines while reducing waste from cracked,
misshapen or misaligned tubes of all sizes - from ehow.
Video - How to Bend 1/4 Inch Stainless Tubing - from BTC Instrumentation.
Video - Copper Tube Bending - A video of how to bend copper tube.

Minimum Straight Lengths

To ensure proper insertion depth into compression fittings minimum straight
lengths of tubing are needed. The following information may be used as a
reference for the bending radius and for the minimum straight length before
the bend for proper installation.
If the tubing O.D. is 1/2 inches or less, provide at least 25mm straight
length.
If the tubing O.D. is greater than 1/2 inches provide at least 50mm straight
length.

If the straight length is not possible, an elbow should be used.

Fitting Preparations
Compression fittings are supplied assembled. The fitting, pipe thread and
general appearance should be inspected visually before use. It is
recommended that fittings are not disassembled. Always ensure that the
tubing material is softer than the fitting.

Tubing Installation
If practical, it is recommended that instrument process impulse lines are
installed in the vertical plane. Horizontal impulse lines are generally run with
a slope of not less than one in twelve between the process connection and the
instrument. Slope should be down from the tapping points for liquids and up
for gases.

For reasons of accessibility offset and stagger tube unions wherever

practicable.
Tube fittings must not be used to support instruments, which should be
independently mounted.
It is recommended that any Weld splatter on stainless tubing be
removed. In severe cases, the tubing must be replaced.

Supporting Tubing

It is a good idea to ensure all instrument impulse lines are as short as

possible. For lengths up to approximately 1m tubing is self-supporting,
however for longer lengths it is recommended that the tubing be supported
at approximately 1m intervals.
The number of joints in the impulse line should be kept to a
minimum. Process and utility piping must not be used for supporting
instrumentation piping or tubing.
Tubing should be adequately supported and braced. It is suggested that
support fixing distances not exceed the following:
Outside Diameter

Distance

Continuously Supported

1.0m

1.5m

/4 inch OD
/2 inch OD
/4 inch OD

1 inch OD

2.0m

It is recommended that three or more tubes run in parallel are supported in

steel angle or channel, or on cable tray or ladder with appropriate
insulation.
To avoid the possibility of corrosion, it is recommended that stainless steel
tube and/or fittings (316, duplex or otherwise) is NOT be in direct contact
or located directly under Zinc coated or galvanised components.
Electrically non-conductive tubing clamps are available. These isolate
tubing from its supports,

Beware of Tubing Vibration!

It is suggested that impulse lines for instruments shall be arranged to avoid: Movement through thermal expansion.
Mechanical damage from impact.
When tube vibration is a problem, due to the closeness of machinery, process
pressure changes or other excitation, it is recommended:
Tubing is clamped to the monoflange, process take-off or process line
using a suitable clamp with the minimum span between the compression
fitting and the clamp.
A vibration loop (pigtail) is installed in the tube span between the process
line and any independent structure used to support the tube. The
orientation of the loop should be chosen with due regard to the probable
relative motion between the connections.
The vibration loop crossover has a minimum clearance of 2 x tube OD to
prevent fretting of the tube.

Instrument Tubing Welding

There are several instrument tube welders on the market, they are excellent
for hazardous gas applications. These units provide consistent high quality
welds when operated correctly.

Plastic Instrument Tubing

Ensure that extremely soft plastic tubing is used with an insert. Never use
metal ferrules on plastic tubing.