What type of fitting is used to change the direction of a plumbing pipe?

The elbow fitting is specifically designed to change the direction of a plumbing pipe, typically by 90 or 45 degrees. This is essential in plumbing systems where space limitations or specific routing of pipes require them to bend around obstacles or navigate through tight areas. Elbow fittings allow for efficient flow and maintain the integrity of the piping system by providing a means to redirect water or other fluids without creating unnecessary pressure drops.

Other types of fittings serve different purposes; a coupling fitting is used to connect two straight sections of pipe, an adapter fitting is meant to connect pipes of different sizes or types, and a tee fitting is used to create a branch line from a main pipe. Each of these fittings plays a unique role in a plumbing system, but only the elbow fitting is specifically intended for changing direction.