First of all PVC pipes are an incomparable mixture of toughness, flexibility, corrosion resistance and pipes are very easy to handle. PVC pipes are in different sizes and fit for all needs.
You can buy PVC pipe in sizes of 1/2″, 3/4″ 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, 2″, 2-1/2″, 3″ etc. Usually the pipes name is based on the inside diameter but it is not very precise. It is another measurement called Schedule (Sched. or Sch.) for wall thickness. There are Sch 40, Sch 80 and Sch 200 pipes. To clarify, all 3 ̎ pipe despite of it’s Schedule 40,80 or 200 will always have the same outside diameter and fill be available for all 3 ̎ plastic pipe fittings. Sch 80 PVC pipe wall is thickness is greatest and therefore most strongest. Schedule 40 is most used in plumbing.
For example:
2″ PVC pipe Sch 40 has a nominal inside diameter of 2″ and outside diameter of 2-3/8″. Thereby the socket for 2″ fittings is approximately 2-3/8″ in diameter.
Pipe markings differ in North America- NPS and Europe DN (diameter nominal).
NPS (nominal pipe size) in two non-decimal numbers-diameter in inches and Schedule for wall thickness.
DN sizes are measured in milimetres.
Based on the NPS and schedule of a pipe, the pipe outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness can be obtained from reference tables such as those below, which are based on ASME standards B36.10M and B36.19M. For example, NPS 14 Sch 40 has an OD (outside diameter) of 14 inches and a wall thickness of 0.437 inches. However the NPS and OD values are not always equal, which can create confusion.
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