LPG is stored under pressure, as both a liquid and gas in bottle. The gas bottle, LPG gas regulator (low pressure gas regulator) and gas fittings work together to provide the LPG gas regulator pressure required by the low pressure gas appliances.
The gas bottle and low pressure gas regulator are connected by the gas bottle changeover valve, LPG gas fittings and connections.
All gas bottles require an LPG pressure regulator because the gas bottle pressure is much too high to be used in low pressure gas appliances.
The pressure within a gas bottle can be 800-900kPa, far higher than the low pressure gas required.
This is why an LPG pressure regulator (low pressure gas regulator) is a necessity.
The low pressure gas varies based on the ambient temperature, exposure to the radiant heat of the sun and the amount of gas remaining in the gas bottle.
Whilst the gas bottle pressure can be 800-900kPa, the required LPG gas regulator pressure for Australian low pressure gas appliances is the typical low pressure gas provided by a 2.75 kPa gas regulator.
So, an LPG pressure regulator (low pressure gas regulator) is required to reduce the pressure and ensure a consistent 2.75kPa is safely delivered from the gas bottle through the gas fittings to your low pressure gas appliances.
The LPG gas fittings and connections include the gas hose, gas valve, gas bottle changeover valve, piping and gas bottle connections required to build a complete LPG gas system, connecting the gas bottle and low pressure gas regulator to the low pressure gas appliances appliances.
Gas bottle changeover valves determine from which gas bottle the gas is being taken.
Licensed gas fitters are required for all gas related work, involving the LPG gas pressure regulator, LPG gas fittings and connections on homes and businesses.
Typical BBQ gas fittings include a BBQ gas hose, gas bottle and LPG pressure regulator (low pressure gas regulator). LPG gas regulator pressure is preset for the low pressure gas required by the BBQ. The LPG pressure regulator, gas hose, and gas fittings can come as an assembly, but a gas hose is also sold separately.
The gas bottle and low pressure gas regulator can be for an older POL gas fittings or the newer LCC27 gas fittings.
Camper valve adapters may also be required for gas bottle connections.
LPG gas fittings and connections include the “gas pigtail”, connecting the home gas bottles to a gas bottle changeover valve and the changeover valve is connected to the LPG gas pressure regulator. Gas pigtails are gas fittings that can be made of solid copper, rubber or braided metal over a rubber interior.
Copper is generally considered the best choice for gas fittings, as rubber and braided pigtails have a limited life span.
Also, pigtails can catch or trap debris over time so they should be replaced any time the low pressure gas regulator is replaced.
Pigtails are “flexible” and will absorb the shock of sudden movement or jarring, if the LPG regulator installation is accidentally bumped or moved out of place.
Without the flexible low pressure gas regulator gas bottle connections, the gas fittings would be rigid and more susceptible to leaks caused by movement.
LPG gas fittings and connections also include the gas bottle changeover valve that controls which gas bottle is in use, when two gas bottles are installed on your home. As the name implies, the gas bottle changeover valve changes over which gas bottle is in use.
The gas bottle changeover valve connects the gas bottle and low pressure gas regulator via the LPG gas fittings and connections.
A gas bottle changeover valve come in two types, with manual (shown) and automatic changeover versions.
As the names imply, manual changeover valves require manual intervention while automatic changeover valves automatically switch between gas bottles when the first bottle runs dry.
The gas bayonet fitting is the last component of the LPG gas fittings and connections before your low pressure gas appliance.
If you have a portable gas heater, it will be connected to your home LPG supply using bayonet gas fittings.
Female bayonet gas fittings can be floor or wall mounted.
Male bayonet gas fittings, on the end of the heater hose, plug into the female gas fittings which are, in turn, connected to the LPG service piping.
Please see:
How to Connect & Disconnect Gas Bayonet Fittings
A gas pipe, which is a semi-rigid gas hose, runs from the LPG gas pressure regulator (low pressure gas regulator) to the low pressure gas appliances inside your home.
This gas pipe generally consists of copper tubing or flexible composite piping.
The gas pipe needs to be installed correctly and legally, in conjunction with the gas bottle and low pressure gas regulator, for the entire installation to be safe and serviceable.
Please remember that all gas installations must be carried out by a licensed local gas fitter.
They are experts at installing the LPG gas fittings and low pressure gas regulator and checking the LPG gas regulator pressure, for safe operation.
Give us a call on 131 161 if you need help finding a local gas fitter nearby.
For more information LPG Regulators, Propane Regulators, please get in touch with us!