A Complete Guide to Olet Fittings

Olet fittings, also known as branch connection fittings or outlet fittings, allow a larger pipe to discharge into a smaller pipe (or one of the same size).

The main pipe onto which the branch connection is welded is usually called the Run or Header size. The pipe to which the branch association or connection gives a pipe is conventionally called the Branch or Outlet estimate. Branch connections are in all sizes, sorts, bores, and classes, in various steel grades.

316L Olets Fittings

316L Olets Fittings are also known as (Self Reinforced Forged Fittings, Outlet Fittings, and Branch Connection Fittings). Olets fittings provide a branch connection between the header or run pipe and the branch or outlet pipe. In other words, you can say Stainless Steel 316L Olets Fittings are fittings that provide an outlet from a larger pipe to a smaller one (or one of the same size).

The pipe on which Olets fittings are installed is called header/run pipe, and the pipe connected to the other side of the 316l Olets fitting is called branch/outlet pipe.

Types of Olet Fittings

1. Weldolet (WEL)
2. Threadolet (TOL)
3. Sockolet (SOC)
4. Elbolet (ELO)
5. Insert Weldolet
6. Brazolet
7. Coupolet
8. Nipolet
9. Flexolet
10. Latrolet (LOL)
11. Sweepolet
12. Weldoflange
13. Nipoflange

Weldolet

Weldolets are the most commonly used among all the olets fittings and are well-suited for high-pressure applications. A Weldolet makes a 90° branch connection and is available in full size or reduction for a straight piece of pipe. It is designed to minimize stress concentrations and provide integral reinforcement, due to its self-enforced design. Weldolet ends are beveled types, and therefore the weldolet is considered a butt-weld fitting.

Weldolet Fitting

• END — Bevel end
• Branch Pipe End — Bevel end
• Size Range — 2″ — 24″
• Most common size range used in the industry — 2″ — 8″, (economical size range)
• Thickness/Schedule — same as the pipe

Sockolet

A Sockolet is the same as Weldolet, with the difference that the branch pipe end will be the plain end, as the Sockolet has a socket weld end. Sockolets are used to make a 90° pipe branch. It is used in small-size pipes and lines with low pressure. Fillet welds are used to connect the branch pipe to the Sockolet. On the pipe header side, a Sockolet requires a welded connection same as Weldolet.

• END — Socket type
• Branch Pipe End — Plain end
• Size Range — 1/2″ — 4″
• Most common size range used in the industry — 1/2″ — 2″, (Safe size range)
• Thickness/Schedule — 3000#, 6000# and 9000# (ratings for socket weld fittings)

Thredolet

A Threadolet is similar to a sockolet and weldolet and makes the 90° branch. However, the main difference is the sockolet fitting has a female threaded end, and the branched pipe or Instruments are screwed on the fitting. The branching is possible of the same size or reduction.

Threadolet end is generally NPT type (National Pipe Thread) and comes under Americal standards. The end preparation is done under ASME B1.20.1 specification

Threadolet Fitting

END — Female Threaded

Branch Pipe End — Male threaded

Size Range — 1/2″ — 2″

Thickness/Schedule — 2000#, 3000# and 6000# (ratings for threaded fittings)

Elbolet

An elbolet is used on 90° long radius elbows (most common), and short radius elbows (seldom used) and can be used on 180° returns. It is typically used for instrumentation connections and thermowell. Thermowells are tubular fittings used to protect temperature sensors installed in industrial processes. A thermowell consists of a tube closed at one end and mounted in the process stream.

Elbolets can be used as a drain connection when there is not enough room to use a Weldolet. The Elbolet is available with buttweld, socketweld, or threaded connections.

Elbolet Fitting

• END — Female Threaded, Socket Weld, and Bevel end
• Branch Pipe or Instrument End — Male Threaded, Plain, and Bevel end
• Size Range — 1/2″ — 2″ NPS (for threaded and socket weld end)
• Size Range — Above 2″ NPS (for threaded and socket weld end)
• Thickness/Schedule — 3000# and 6000# (for socket and threaded end),
• Rating for Buttweld end — same as piping system

Sweepolet

A Sweepolet is a contoured, integrally reinforced, branch connection with a low-stress escalation factor. It has low stress and long fatigue life.

Okay! getting confused..? Fear not, I have provided clarification below.

• Where to use — Normally used, if the header is above 24″ NPS and Branch is above 8″ NPS (It is not fixed, it can vary from company to company)
• It is used for reducing pressure drop and for free-draining of fluid
• Used in radiography requirement
• END — Bevel end
• Branch Pipe End — Bevel end
• Size Range — 8″ — 24″ (It is mostly used size range)
• Thickness/Schedule — Same as the pipe/Schedule Number

Coupolet

Coupolet fittings are similar to thread end half coupling, designed for use in fire protection sprinkler systems and other low-pressure piping systems.

• END — Female threaded end
• Branch component or fire sprinkler End — Male threaded end
• Size Range — 1/2″ — 2″ (preferred size range)
• Rating — can be used up to a maximum of 300#
• Thickness/Schedule — 2000# 3000# and 6000#

Reference Link: https://www.steelavailable.com/en/main-olet-fittings/ / https://makepipingeasy.com/olets-fittings-a-complete-guide/