AJJewsbury:One of my concerns about using lead is its low melting point, perhaps when carrying large fault currents. Domestic lead covered cables of old were perhaps fused at 5, 15 or even 30 Amps so fault currents were relatively small. With lead pipes that may carry large diverted neutral currents the lead may melt or or best become soft, so fitting a B.S. 951 earth clamp to a lead gas pipe could be dangerous. I would never do so. Lead melts at about 300 degrees C and copper at over 1,000 degrees C.
I'm sure you're worrying over nothing. Copper pipework is no more resistant to heat than lead pipework - as both will fail well below 300 degrees when the solder in the joints melts. If it's not an issue with copper pipes why should it be with lead ones?
Blowlamp flame on copper pipe: pipe remains intact.
Blowlamp flame on lead pipe and it will melt.
Compression fitting can be used on copper pipe and no solder is required.
Z.
AJJewsbury:One of my concerns about using lead is its low melting point, perhaps when carrying large fault currents. Domestic lead covered cables of old were perhaps fused at 5, 15 or even 30 Amps so fault currents were relatively small. With lead pipes that may carry large diverted neutral currents the lead may melt or or best become soft, so fitting a B.S. 951 earth clamp to a lead gas pipe could be dangerous. I would never do so. Lead melts at about 300 degrees C and copper at over 1,000 degrees C.
I'm sure you're worrying over nothing. Copper pipework is no more resistant to heat than lead pipework - as both will fail well below 300 degrees when the solder in the joints melts. If it's not an issue with copper pipes why should it be with lead ones?
Blowlamp flame on copper pipe: pipe remains intact.
Blowlamp flame on lead pipe and it will melt.
Compression fitting can be used on copper pipe and no solder is required.
Z.
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