An equal tee in piping is a T-shaped fitting that allows the branching of a pipe into two equal sections. It has three openings: one inlet and two outlets, or vice versa, all with the same diameter. This configuration ensures that the fluid flow is divided evenly in two directions. Equal tees are commonly used in various piping systems to distribute fluids or gases in different directions or to combine flows from two branches into a single pipe. They are essential components in industries such as chemical processing, water supply, oil and gas, and HVAC systems, providing a straightforward method for creating junctions in piping networks.

A PVC equal tee is a T-shaped pipe fitting made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is used to connect three sections of pipe of the same diameter at right angles to each other. It has three openings: one inlet and two outlets (or vice versa), all of which are the same size, allowing for an even distribution of flow in two directions or the merging of flows from two branches into one main line. PVC equal tees are widely used in plumbing, irrigation, and drainage systems due to their durability, corrosion resistance, lightweight nature, and ease of installation. They are suitable for both residential and commercial applications, handling water and other fluids efficiently in various systems.

The main difference between a straight tee and an equal tee lies in the size of their openings. An equal tee has three openings of the same diameter, allowing for an equal distribution of flow from the main pipe to the branch pipes. It is used when all the pipes connected to the tee need to be of the same size. In contrast, a straight tee (or reducing tee) has one larger opening for the main pipe and one or two smaller openings for the branch pipes, typically used to connect pipes of different sizes. The straight tee is ideal for situations where the flow needs to be directed into a smaller pipe or branch.

To calculate the weight of an equal tee, you first need to determine the volume of the material used to make the fitting. This involves calculating the external and internal volumes of the tee, considering the pipe diameter and wall thickness. The volume of the material is the difference between the outer and inner cylindrical volumes of the main body and the two branches. Once the volume is calculated, multiply it by the material's density (e.g., steel, PVC, etc.) to obtain the weight. Manufacturers often provide standard weight charts for different sizes and materials, which simplifies this calculation.