United Pipe & Steel
Copper Tube Type L Hard 10' Lengths
- SKU:
- CTL10
- Availability:
- Usually Ships Same Day
- Weight:
- 0.00 LBS
- Note:
- Price & Sold by the 10' Length
- Shipping Notice:
- LTL Only
Description
Type L Hard Copper Tube – 10' Lengths
Type L Hard Copper Tube in 10-foot straight lengths provides durable, medium-wall copper tubing for residential, commercial, mechanical, and approved plumbing applications. Type L has a heavier wall than Type M while remaining lighter than Type K, making it one of the most widely used copper tube classifications for water distribution and general building-service piping.
Select the required nominal tube size from the product options above. Each selected variation determines the GetPipe.com SKU, online selling price, shipping weight, cost, and other size-specific product information.
Product Highlights
- Type L hard-drawn copper tube
- Rigid 10-foot straight lengths
- Medium-wall copper construction
- Heavier wall than Type M copper tube
- Lighter wall than Type K copper tube
- Excellent corrosion resistance and long service life
- Commonly used for residential and commercial water-distribution systems
- Suitable for approved plumbing, mechanical, heating, cooling, and building-service applications
- Compatible with approved soldered, brazed, press, flared, and mechanical joining methods as applicable
- Manufactured to applicable ASTM B88 requirements
- Available in multiple nominal copper tube sizes
Technical Specifications
| Material | Copper |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Type L Hard Copper Tube |
| Temper | Hard / Drawn |
| Length | 10 Feet |
| Tube Classification | Type L |
| Wall Construction | Medium Wall |
| Applicable Standard | ASTM B88 |
| Joining Methods | Approved Soldered, Brazed, Press, Flared, or Mechanical Joint as Applicable |
| Common Applications | Potable Water, Plumbing, Mechanical, Heating, Cooling and Other Approved Copper Piping Systems |
| Installation | Above Ground and Other Approved Installations |
| Nominal Sizes | Varies by Selected Size |
| Sold By | 10-Foot Length |
What Is Type L Copper Tube?
Type L is a medium-wall copper water tube classification commonly used throughout residential, commercial, institutional, and mechanical piping systems. It provides more wall thickness than Type M while using less copper than Type K of the same nominal size.
This combination of durability, corrosion resistance, availability, and broad application suitability makes Type L one of the most commonly specified copper tube types for building water distribution and general-purpose copper piping.
Type L vs. Type K vs. Type M Copper Tube
Type L
- Medium-wall copper tube
- Heavier wall than Type M
- Lighter wall than Type K
- Widely used in residential and commercial plumbing
- Good balance of durability and material cost
Type K
- Heaviest wall of the three common types
- Commonly selected for demanding water-service applications
- Frequently used underground where permitted
- Provides maximum wall thickness for a given nominal size
Type M
- Lightest wall of the three common types
- Economical copper-tube option
- Frequently used in approved residential plumbing systems
- Use only where permitted by code and project requirements
Why Choose a 10-Foot Length?
Ten-foot straight lengths are convenient for service work, remodels, mechanical rooms, equipment connections, smaller piping runs, and projects where transporting or maneuvering 20-foot material is difficult.
Shorter straight lengths can also reduce unnecessary cutting and leftover material on installations that do not require long continuous runs.
Why Choose Type L Copper?
Balanced Wall Thickness
- More substantial wall than Type M
- Widely accepted for plumbing and mechanical service
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Long service life when properly installed
Versatile Installation
- Rigid straight tube for clean piping layouts
- Compatible with widely available copper fittings
- Suitable for multiple approved joining methods
- Useful across residential and commercial applications
Common Applications
Plumbing & Water Distribution
- Potable-water distribution where permitted
- Residential plumbing systems
- Commercial plumbing systems
- Fixture supply piping
- Mechanical-room piping
- Service and replacement work
Mechanical & Building Systems
- Heating and cooling piping where approved
- Mechanical equipment connections
- Building-service piping
- Institutional piping systems
- Retrofit and renovation projects
- Other approved copper piping applications
Joining Type L Hard Copper Tube
Type L hard copper tube may be joined using several approved methods depending on tube size, system pressure, temperature, service media, project specifications, fitting manufacturer requirements, and applicable codes.
- Soldered joints: commonly used for potable-water and plumbing applications where permitted.
- Brazed joints: may be used when greater joint strength or specific system conditions require brazing.
- Press connections: may be used with compatible copper press fittings and approved press systems.
- Flared connections: may be used where compatible with the tube, fitting system, and application.
- Mechanical connections: may be used with approved copper-compatible mechanical fittings.
Installation Guidance
- Confirm the required nominal copper tube size before ordering.
- Verify that Type L copper tube is appropriate for the intended application.
- Confirm applicable plumbing-code and project requirements.
- Inspect tubing for shipping or handling damage before installation.
- Cut tubing square using an approved copper tubing cutter or saw.
- Remove internal and external burrs before assembling joints.
- Clean and prepare joining surfaces according to the selected joining method.
- Use fittings designed for the selected copper tube size.
- Support horizontal and vertical tubing according to applicable code requirements.
- Use approved solder, brazing alloy, flux, press tools, or mechanical joining procedures as applicable.
- Pressure-test and inspect the completed piping system before placing it into service.
- Installation should be completed by qualified personnel familiar with copper piping systems.
Product Resources
Review available manufacturer data, copper-tube dimensions, compliance documents, and technical information before ordering or installation.
Compliance & Manufacturer Documents
Need Help Selecting Type L Copper Tube?
Our industrial PVF specialists can help confirm copper tube type, nominal size, wall classification, joining method, application requirements, manufacturer documentation, and product availability before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Type L copper tube?
Type L is a medium-wall copper water tube classification with a heavier wall than Type M and a lighter wall than Type K of the same nominal size.
What does hard copper tube mean?
Hard copper tube is rigid, straight tubing supplied in fixed lengths. It differs from soft annealed copper tube, which is flexible and commonly supplied in coils.
How long is each piece?
Each piece in this product family is supplied as one 10-foot straight length.
Is this copper tube sold by the foot?
No. This product is sold as a complete 10-foot stick. The displayed price applies to the selected 10-foot length.
What is the difference between Type L and Type M copper?
Type L has a heavier wall than Type M for the same nominal size, providing additional durability and broader application suitability.
What is the difference between Type L and Type K copper?
Type K has a heavier wall than Type L and is commonly selected where greater wall thickness or more demanding service conditions are required.
Can Type L copper be used for potable water?
Yes. Type L copper is commonly used for potable-water distribution where permitted by applicable plumbing codes and project requirements.
Can Type L copper be used for commercial plumbing?
Yes. Type L is widely used in commercial plumbing and mechanical piping systems where its wall thickness and service rating are appropriate.
Can this tubing be soldered?
Yes, when soldering is permitted for the application and completed using compatible fittings, solder, flux, preparation methods, and applicable codes.
Can Type L copper be brazed?
Yes. Brazing may be used when appropriate for the application and completed using approved fittings, alloys, purge procedures, and installation requirements.
Can press fittings be used with Type L copper?
Compatible copper press fittings may be used when the fitting manufacturer approves the tube type, size, pressure, temperature, service media, and application.
Can Type L copper be flared?
Flared connections may be used where the selected tube size, fitting system, and application are approved for that joining method.
Does Type L copper meet ASTM B88?
Type L copper water tube is manufactured to applicable ASTM B88 requirements. Confirm manufacturer documentation when project-specific certification is required.
Is this the same as ACR refrigeration copper?
No. This product is standard Type L copper water tube. ACR refrigeration tubing is a separate product category prepared specifically for air-conditioning and refrigeration service.
Is this the same as medical-gas copper tube?
No. Copper tube intended for medical-gas service has additional cleanliness and preparation requirements. Use the specifically designated medical-gas or OXY copper product when those requirements apply.
Why choose a 10-foot length?
A 10-foot straight length is easier to transport and maneuver and can reduce excess material on smaller piping runs, service work, mechanical-room installations, and equipment connections.
Important Ordering Notes
- Select the exact nominal copper tube size required for the piping system.
- This product is Type L hard-drawn copper water tube.
- Each variation is supplied as one 10-foot straight length.
- The product is sold by the 10-foot stick, not by individual foot.
- The selected variation determines the SKU, price, shipping weight, and cost.
- Type L has a heavier wall than Type M and a lighter wall than Type K copper tube.
- Confirm that Type L is appropriate for the intended application before ordering.
- Do not substitute this standard plumbing tube for ACR or medical-gas copper when those product-specific requirements apply.
- Confirm the required joining method and fitting compatibility before installation.
- Verify pressure, temperature, service media, local code, and project requirements.
- Review manufacturer compliance documents when project-specific certifications are required.
- Installation should be completed by qualified personnel.
