Press Fittings – Conklin Metal Industries

RLS = Rapid Locking System

Press Fittings are a solution for joining together tube without use of solder/flame for high pressure refrigerant applications

Joining copper tube without brazing means no flames, no gas, no safety equipment, no fire spotters, no hot work permits, and no need to nitrogen purge

On a typical Copper Refrigeration Tube job, Press Fittings can reduce a 3 day job into a 1 day job when compared to Solder Fittings

RLS Press Fittings offer a simple, effective and economical method to create leak-free copper tube connections. Made of soft copper for easy crimping, RLS Press Fittings can connect to both soft copper tube and hard drawn ACR. The RLS pressing process is very straightforward, and can be completed with minimal training. Copper tube ends are first prepped the same way as with brazing. In just 10 seconds, the press tool creates a permanent and reliable mechanical joint without the dangers of heat or flammable gas. Ideal for sites where building owners do not want an open flame in their buildings (such as hospitals and data centers).

To verify the press cycle was completed properly, a witness mark (RLS) will appear within the crimp bands. The mark will be more pronounced when crimped on hard tube vs. ACR tube, but will be visible. Failure to create the witness mark either means an unauthorized jaw or the wrong sized jaw was used. If a fitting is incorrectly pressed, then it must be removed and the procedure restarted with a new fitting.

Please follow all safety instructions as described in the RLS Installation Instruction Manual.

Benefits of Using Press Fittings

• Connects in 10 seconds
• UL listed to 700 psi
• Huge labor and time savings
• Less equipment required
• Safer conditions, no fire hazards
• No hot-work permits
• No fire spotter
• No need to nitrogen purge
• More flexible access to job sites

While hard copper is acceptable in plumbing, it can be problematic when used as Pressed Fittings for Refrigerant because, very small microscopic cracks appear on the hard copper system when pressed, making the life cycle only about two years.

RLS copper pressed fittings, in contrast, are designed specifically for use with refrigerant. These fittings are also annealed so that when they are pressed, the joint hardens into place.

All RLS Fittings are made in a long radius. This allows for greater efficiency without the pressure loss that comes with moving refrigerant quickly around a tighter bend. It also means that the contractor can avoid adding fittings to the copper piping to compensate for the loss of velocity that would come with short radius fittings.

Analogy: When you’re driving 70 miles per hour and come to a sharp turn, you have to slow down. The sharper the curve, the slower you have to go.

Well, that’s exactly what happens with fluid flowing through an HVAC/R system. And that’s exactly why RLS designed 90˚ elbows with a wide radius that maintains refrigerant flow and minimizes pressure drop. Short radius elbows slow refrigerant flow and can cause system damaging pressure drops.