Olets – A Complete Guide – Learn about Weldolet, Sockolet, Elbolet, & more

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In this lecture, you will learn about olets, which is a self-reinforced branch connection.

There are two ways for branching from the run pipe.

  • 1st is a pipe to pipe branching. Either with reinforcement pad or with the help of standard tee. When we make an opening in the pipe for the pipe to pipe branching without using TEE, it will weaken the pipe. To avoid this, an additional reinforcement pad is welded to the pipe, this type of branch connection is fabricated at the site.
  • In the second method, instead of an additional reinforcement pad, you used a heavier specially designed branch that works as a Self-reinforced branch.
  • This Specially design branch connection is known as “Olets.” A Company called Bonney Forge has pioneered this concept and olet is their registered trademark.
  • Whenever branch connections are required in size where reducing tees are not available and/or when the branch connections are of smaller size as compared to header size, Olets are generally used.
Olets self reinforced branch connection

  • Self-reinforced branches (Olets) are designed as per Process Piping Code ASME B31.3
  • Another standard available is MSS SP-97 that is Manufacturers Standardization Society
  • Most commonly used olets are;
    • Weldolet, Sockolet, Thredolet, Elbolet and Nipolet,
    • Special Olets such as Latrolet, Flexolet, and Coupolet are also used sometimes. 

Weldolet

  • Weldolet is 90° branch connection
  • It Comes in full size or reducing size (Full size is when you take a branch of the same size as run pipe size for example 3 inch to 3 inch. And reducing size is when branch size is less than run pipe size 3 inch to 1 inch)
  • Weldolet’s end is suited for the butt welding connection.
weldolet

Sockolet

  • Sockolet is the same as weldolet but with socket end.
  • It is 90° branch connection
  • Comes in full size or reducing size
  • End connection is suited for socket welding
Sockolet

Thredolet

  • Thredolet is 90° branch connection comes with threaded end connection
  • It also Comes in full size or reducing size
  • End connection is suited for threaded joint
Thredolet

Elbolet

  • Elbolet is a special type of olets that fits on the elbow surface. It is 90° branch connection and comes in different types of ends that suit for butt welding, socket welding and threaded joint
Elbolet

Nipolet

  • Nipolet is weldolet with an extended pipe body. As you can see in the image
  • It is 90° branch connection and comes in different types of ends that suit for butt welding, socket welding or threaded joint
Nipolet

Latrolet

  • There are some special olets also used in piping such as
  • Latrolet that is used for taking branch which is not at 90 degrees to run pipe.
    • Latrolet comes in a 45°or any other special degree as required by the purchaser
    • End connections of a Latrolet can be butt welded, socket welded or threaded.
latrolet

Coupolet

  • Coupolet is Olets with female NPT thread that uses for low-pressure This will reduce the use of one sockolet and one coupling.
Coupolet

Sweepolet

  • Sweepolet is used for large size branch connections.
  • It provides a smooth flow transition from run pipe to a branch pipe.
  • Sweepolet is used in piping header and pressure vessel when smooth flow transition is necessary and a standard tee cannot be used.