Hot socket or pressure socket is a method of adding a joint to a pressurized pipe without shutting it down. It involves using a hot tapping machine to make a cut in the pipe and installing a gate valve. This procedure is used to install valves, branch lines, and inspect pipelines while ensuring safety measures are taken. It can also be used for line shut-off operations.
The term hot socket, or pressure socket, is used in relation to the pipe fitting. Specifically refers to a method of adding a joint to a pressurized pipe or line in service. Using a hot tapping machine, the pipe fitter performs the procedure without shutting down the line or emptying it. This process is typically used when the shutdown of a particular pipeline could disrupt service to a large area or create disruptions that could endanger public safety.
In the typical hot-tapping procedure, a pipe installer uses a faucet fitting, hot-tapping machine, and gate valve to branch service. The tap fitting is fixed to the main pipe in the correct position and is tested before connecting the gate valve. When the gate valve is installed and open, it allows passage of the pilot drill and hot tap cutter. The pilot drill makes a small hole to guide the cutter in a straight line through the existing pipe wall. Once the cut is made, the hot tap is pulled out and the valve is closed until the new lines are connected and ready to be loaded.
Hot tapping can be used safely to install valves and branch lines in a variety of piping types. These pipes are usually made of steel, iron, copper, PVC or asbestos-cement. The contents of these pipes can vary as much as the pipes themselves, so it is important that a pipe installer attempting this procedure knows how to operate the equipment safely for the particular type of pipe and contents involved. These pressurized lines can carry hazardous fluids, including crude oil, waste water, gasoline, natural gas or steam, so the life of the pipe worker and others could be at risk if the correct methods are not used.
Flow measuring devices, temperature sensing equipment, sample or test ports, pressure control, and safety valves can also use hot tapping. This procedure can also be used to inspect the internal condition of a pipeline. Bypassing and draining a section of pipeline, either temporarily or permanently, can also be completed effectively using this method.
Sometimes, the hot tapping method can be used to create a hole in a pipeline for a line shut-off operation where a plug of the correct size is inserted after the cutting bit is removed. This socket is called the line break head. In these cases, the hot sampling process and resulting line blockage temporarily shuts off the flow of fluids to allow operators to make repairs or permanently shut down a section of pipe without requiring the installation of a valve.
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