What are the advantages of the inflatable pipe plugs?
Pipe plugs are widely used for blocking pipelines or for performing leak tests. This raises the question: which type of pipe plug should you use for your application?
This article will discuss the advantages of inflatable pipe plugs compared to the mechanical pipe plugs.
1. Multi-Sized Feature:
Inflatable pipe plugs offer a multi-size feature; that means one plug can be used with multiple pipe diameters within its range. This reduces the need for multiple plugs. For better understanding of the multisized pipe plugs against the single size, you can check the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuBP1BGwrH4
2. Holding high back pressure: The inflatable pipe plugs can hold more back pressure than the mechanical ones, allowing them to be used in high-pressure applications.
3. Flexibility:
PlugCo inflatable pipe plugs are made from SNR rubber and natural fabrics. Additionally, it is available in cylindrical and conical shapes, providing the flexibility that mechanical plugs, with their rigid structure, cannot match. This flexibility offers several benefits:
• Easy Insertion Through Small Openings: Inflatable plugs can be inserted through small openings or manholes, even when the entry point is smaller than the pipe diameter—that is not possible for the mechanical plugs.
• Complying with Pipe Imperfections: Inflatable stoppers can be used with a pipe that has deposits, corrosion, or an out-of-round shape. The mechanical ones cannot conform to these irregularities.
4-Lightweight and Cost-Effective: Unlike mechanical plugs, which are heavy, inflatable pipe plugs are lightweight, making them easy to transport and store and simple to handle and install, reducing labor costs, and more cost-effective due to lower shipping and handling expenses. A common concern with inflatable plugs is the risk of deflation for long-duration usages. At PlugCo, we solved this issue with the innovative Smart Pressure Control System (SPCS); this device inflates the plug automatically up to its inflation pressure. If its pressure drops by 0.1 bar from its inflation pressure, it starts to inflate, and once the pressure reaches its inflation pressure, it automatically stops. By using the SPCS, there is no need for manual pressure checks, ensuring reliable long-term performance. Watch the demonstration video here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h75heA6F-c
For more information about our different models of inflatable plugs, you can contact our sales team at the following email address: sales@plugco.net.