PlumbingProducts.com Our goal is to provide visitors with excellent plumbing how to's and other great plumbing-related articles.
Kitchen related articles Bathroom related articles Commercial related articles Misc articles Favorite links

Plumbing Terminology
Extensive Online Plumbing Dictionary

Click on any letter of the term you would like to find
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Natural Gas:
A colorless, odorless fuel derived from the earth, consisting primarily of Methane. Odors are added to aid in leak detection.


Negative Pressure:
Less than atmospheric pressure.


NEMA:
National Electrical Manufacturers Association.


Neo-Angle:
Term used to describe shower receptor or bathtub that fits into a corner. Two corner walls butt up against the fixture.


Net Usable BTU:
The portion of a fuel's heat energy actually transferred into the water by a heater.


NH:
No Hub.


Nipple:
A short length of pipe installed between coupling or other fittings.


Nipple Extractor:
A tool used to unscrew sections of pipe.


NKBA:
National Kitchen and Bath Association.


No-Hub Connector:
A connector for no-hub iron pipe consisting of a rubber sleeve and a stainless steel band secured by hose clamps. A variation, a neoprene sleeve with two adjustable steel bands, is used for connecting dissimilar materials, as when connecting new plastic pipe to an existing cast-iron drainpipe.


Nom:
Nominal. Usually refers to the inside diameter of trade sizes of copper pipe and some CPVC pipes. Not for iron pipe connections. For example, a 1/2" Nom comp. fitting is actually 5/8" because 1/2" pipe has an OD of 5/8".


Nominal Size:
Size used for identification only; not literal dimensions.


Non-CFC:
Foam insulation that minimizes the use of Chlorofluorocarbons.


Non-ferrous:
Not containing iron.


Nonpotable:
Not suitable for drinking.


NPS:
National Pipe Straight threads standard, same as IPS.


NPS (Discharge):
Nonpoint Source pollution: nutrients, sediments, toxic substances, and pathogens that degrade waterways. NPS occurs mainly through storm water runoff.


NPSHA:
Net Positive Suction Head Available to prevent cavitation of the pump. It is defined as atmospheric pressure + gas pressure + static pressure - vapor pressure - friction loss in the suction piping.


NPSHR:
Net Positive Suction Head Required to stop a pump from cavitating. This number is usually provided by the pump manufacturer.


NPT:
National Pipe Tapered thread standard. Same as IPS.


NRDC:
Natural Resources Defense Council - A non-profit environmental advocacy organization that seeks to protect the encironment and the nations natural resources.


NSF:
National Sanitation Foundation.


OUR HOME
PAGE
ARTICLES
INDEX
PLUMBING
FORUM
PLUMBING
MFRS
PLUMBING
CONTRACTORS
PLUMBING
HISTORY
PLUMBING
SUPPLY
COPYRIGHT ©
1995-2023