The use of gender in plumbing fittings 288
There is frequent reference of plumbing as to either being female or male. This has taken a borrowing from the biological make of the human reproductive make up of both the male and female as depicted during copulation. Putting it in a more understandable and simpler manner, it is evident that female fittings are those that receive another part which is to be joined to them, while the male are the ones that go into another. The following are example of some plumbing fittings with their genders.
Elbow: The elbow is a fitting that joins two pipes at an angle. It is usually has a hub (copper or a PVC receiver) or FPT (Female Pipe Thread) on both sides.
Street elbow: This is a variation of the elbow but has on side that has a hub and the other a MPT- Male Pipe Thread.
Cap: The cap is used at the end of a pipe to stop water flow. This is a female fitting with female threads that go over the pipe that is to be closed.
Plug: The plug is a plumbing fitting that is also used to stop water flow at the end of a pipe. The difference is that it is inserted into the pipe. This makes it a good example of a male fitting.
The above few examples help us in demystifying the use of gender in plumbing fittings. To the average person, the use of gender in non living things could create confusion and make the plumbing and other areas in electrical and mechanical fields that use the same gender reference seem hard to understand. However, this needs not to be so. The explanation makes it easy for the average person to be able to know what they are referring to when they make purchases.
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