Maine Journeyman Plumbing Practice Exam

The reducer is specifically designed to connect pipes of different sizes or types, enabling a transition from a larger diameter pipe to a smaller diameter pipe. This is essential in plumbing systems where varying pipe dimensions are necessary to maintain efficient flow and pressure. The use of a reducer ensures a proper fit while helping to minimize turbulence and potential pressure loss in the system.

In situations where you might need to connect two pipe sections that do not have the same diameter, the reducer serves this purpose effectively without creating a bottleneck or flow restriction that could occur if other components were used improperly.

While other components like a coupling can connect pipes of the same size, an elbow is used primarily to change the direction of flow, and a gasket acts as a seal but does not facilitate size transitions. Therefore, in the context of connecting different pipe types or sizes, the reducer is the most suitable choice.