New air compressor, copper or iron pipe Options

[Harpo]

Good evening everyone

For those of you with large compressors what kind of lines are you running through your garage?

Thanks

David

[76-914]

3/4 pvc is certainly strong enough to handle 125psi but the issue is with how the pipe explodes, if you will. when blk, galv or copper pipe/ftg's break it doesn't propel flying shrapnel like pvc can and does. i'll bet Rick or one of the other ins adjuster's here can tell some stories. condensation is going to happen no matter what pipe material is used. most importantly, installation is the key. vertical drops should have a 6" drip leg with a hose bibb on the end to drain. air outlet should come from a tee ftg at least 6" above the end of the drip leg. all horizontal lines should be installed with enough slope as to allow for proper drainage back to the vertical drop preceding it. in other words don't give the pipe a place to trap the water. if you do use pvc do not expose it to sunlight as UV rays deteriorate the material and know that the psi ratings for pvc aren't the same at 30F as they are at 70F. slap a piece of pvc pipe against a brick on a freezing day.

[G e o r g e]

3/4 Sch 40 or 80 pvc is certainly strong enough to handle 125psi but the issue is with how the pipe explodes, if you will. when blk, galv or copper pipe/ftg's break it doesn't propel flying shrapnel like pvc can and does. i'll bet Rick or one of the other ins adjuster's here can tell some stories. condensation is going to happen no matter what pipe material is used. most importantly, installation is the key. vertical drops should have a 6" drip leg with a hose bibb on the end to drain. air outlet should come from a tee ftg at least 6" above the end of the drip leg. all horizontal lines should be installed with enough slope as to allow for proper drainage back to the vertical drop preceding it. in other words don't give the pipe a place to trap the water. if you do use pvc do not expose it to sunlight as UV rays deteriorate the material and know that the psi ratings for pvc aren't the same at 30F as they are at 70F. slap a piece of pvc pipe against a brick on a freezing day.

I agree with Kent's professional assessment, with a slight edit, being as I am also a Plumber who has install 1000's of feet of airline of which all have been in Black malleable iron or copper.
I think the best CSOB method maybe by the use of pex. it would not be a good looking install due to the semi ridged material, but it does have a pressure rating of 160lbs at 74 degree's Fahrenheit. and with the cross stitching in the piping the chance of fragments flying would seem to be almost eliminated. YMMV

pex spec sheet