Introduction
When using duct clamps, it is essential to know the products’ use, type, care, maintenance, and storage details. Individuals using duct clamps should have the basic knowledge to ensure the success of using different tools in fixing pipe sections to an efficiency of 100% with few mistakes.
Therefore, when evaluating the ductwork alternatives for duct clamps, it is good to consider the costs of construction and ductwork design and additional implementation costs, such as shipping and installation, alongside ongoing lifecycle costs of modifications and ongoing maintenance.
In this article, I have discussed the different types of ducting clamps used in spiral, and clamp-together ducts in detail, including helpful basics of the industrial duct.
The different types of duct clamps
Ducting is essential in fitting and reducing the installation period of sections by up to 50%. It is available as galvanized or stainless ducting and can easily be assembled and connected to several components as they come in diverse sizes. Also, the duct systems can have a flanged, rolled, or pull ring edge for each segment and section of the connection. The clamps come in a wide array that includes;
Models suitable for quick fit duct:
1. Wide clamps
These are clamps that are ideal for ducts of larger diameter, and they come in sections of 1×8mm bolt.
2. Lever clamps
Aimed for quick installation and removal since the lever has an adjustable and high-quality tension rubber insert.
3. Heavy clamp
The clamps are designed only for 2mm wall ducting, and they come in 2×1/2 sections of 2×8mm bolts.
4. Slim clamp
Slim clamps are designed to fit where wide or large clamps cannot fit properly. The slim clamp comes in sections of 2×1/2 with bolts and Pozi drive nuts.
5. Hanging bracket clevis
Clevis typically are used when hanging broker rods with the help of the duct, and this is done majorly by using wall mounts to hang the brackets
6. Hanging brackets
The hanging brackets are manufactured from galvanized steel of 3mm. The sections come with 2×1/12 size supplied with 8mm bolts and nuts
7. Flexible hose clamp
Essentially, hose clamps are manufactured using stainless steel to strengthen the clamp and enhance the installation process.
Models suitable for spiral duct:
8. Barrel clamps
Barrel clamps are the perfect connectors of two cables by making a loop on an end of the cable to prevent it from pulling up through a small hole. Fire systems commonly use it to secure cables from firing head balls.
9. Special angle rings or flanges
The angle rings or flanges usually are rolled or pressed using joining ductwork in fume or duct control work. The rings are unpainted or come in mild steel, i.e., stainless steel, galvanized, or made of aluminum.
What is meant by spiral duct?
A spiral duct is a cheap duct pipe named after its manufacturing process. The traditional spiral ductwork was developed by locking and spiraling metal strips together, forming a continuous piece. Typically, the construction method is less expensive, unlike duct that forms by rolling sheets. It comes in 16 and 36 feet sizes, particularly with long runs and few fittings.
Spiral duct comes in handy at any length. However, the costs of shipping the long sections can make it expensive to deliver. The spiral pipe sections can be joined together using spiral pipe connectors, inset off having barrel clamps, unique angle rings, and sheet metal screws.
The spiral ductwork also has some disadvantages that should be considered since addressing those offsets the relative fabrication costs. The demerits include;
- Accurate cuts are needed, which can be challenging.
- Handling the loading and unloading of the duct is difficult since it is produced using large sections.
- The joining methods of the spiral duct are costly and complex, i.e., the collars, barrel clamps, spiral pipe connectors, and special angle flanges or rings.
After all timings and costs regarding the installation and maintenance are accounted for, the spiral duct can be the ultimate sub-optimal solution in manufacturing small sections of ductwork alongside joining it together.
Putting together each section of the duct represents the best option for the spiral duct.
What’s a quick fit duct?
Quick fit flanged duct is also known as Vanstone flanged duct , which is the technique of placing flanges on a pipe with its lip turned left loose and 90 degrees for appropriate metal-to-metal connection when flanges are joined together alongside the joining of flanged lip.
The flanges are not placed on the duct, thus allowing easy alignments of the components at the center line, and an individual can self-install.
When quick fit duct is compared with traditional spiral ducts, it offers numerous advantages. The advantages include the following;
- Infinite adjustability. Even though you require a short piece, you can make it by just cutting a pipe, applying the O-ring, sliding it to any needed fitting, and clamping the pipe fully.
- Flexibility – The clamp is available in every construction material to fit all applications since it’s galvanized and has stainless steel.
- Minimizes wastes- All waste from fitting mistakes and precision cutting linked with other categories of ducts can be avoided, thus ensuring additional saving.
- Faster and ease of installation- primarily such duct is quick and very easy to install.
- Cleaning and re-usability of the duct clamp hold the duct securely. Still, the locking strips can be dismantled for modifications as clamp-together is easy to uninstall, relocate and clean without needing tools.
Conclusion
There are several types of duct clamps that are used for quick fit duct or spiral duct.
Usually above type 1 to type 7 clamps suit for quick fit flanged duct and barrel clamps, couplings or angle rings suit for spiral duct.
