MCC-NH Gas Fitters Practice Exam

What is a typical use case for soft copper in gas piping?

1. Only indoors

2. Underground piping applications

3. High-pressure systems

4. Appliance connections

The correct answer is: Underground piping applications

The correct choice is that soft copper is typically used for appliance connections. This use case is due to soft copper's flexibility and malleability, which make it ideal for connecting gas appliances, allowing for easier installation and adjustments in tight spaces. Soft copper tubing can accommodate the movement from appliances or the expansion and contraction due to temperature changes without compromising the integrity of the connection. While soft copper is not generally recommended for underground piping applications—where rigid materials are safer for resistance against earth movements—nor is it suitable for high-pressure systems, the demand for adaptability in various appliance connection scenarios reinforces why soft copper is frequently chosen for this purpose. Its capability to provide secure, leak-free joints in these settings aligns well with industry practices.