FAQ

Insulating joints (or isolating joints or isolation joints)  provide electrical isolation and cathodic protection in pipeline, tanks and pumping station where petroleum, gas and water are carrier fluid. Insulating joints serve as a positive leak proof long lasting block against the flow of electrical current in all piping systems regardless of application.

Insulating joints (or isolating joints or isolation joints)  protect the pipeline from corrosion thus reducing drastically maintenance efforts and the related costs.

Insulating joints come preassembled and pretested versus the traditional insulating flange kit, which requires a skilled technician to assemble it on site. By using the Insulating joint the company saves on site labor. Insulating joints are also less likely to fail from improper installation which could render a Cathodic Protection system ineffective and likely result in both internal and external corrosion.

With an insulating joint, serviceability and maintenance is simplified. Whereas, when using an insulating flange kit the system may become shorted when buried (from settling, thermal expansion or over-tightening). In this case, the cost to repair a damaged or leaking system significantly exceeds the initial investment of an insulating joint. It is also more likely that the pipeline would have to be shut down if maintenance or replacement is required.

When evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of using insulated flange kits versus insulating joints it would seem that when life cycle costs are considered, the use of insulting joints is advantageous over the flange kits.

All data supplied in the website is for standard joints. Meccanica Segrino manufactures isolating joints that comply with special customer’s specifications such as for example (but not limited to):

• Nominal diameter bigger that 8 inches (ND>200);
• Different wall thickness of pipe ends and central body;
• Different steel type (eg. INOX);
• Different operating pressure (eg. PN40, PN50, PN150);
• Different operating temperature (eg. less than -10°C, more than +70°C);
• Different coating system (eg. coating suitable for potable water);
• Different length of pipe ends;
• Others.

If you do have a request for custom joints, please fill in the “custom form” and you’ll receive a quotation in a couple of days.

All Meccanica Segrino joints undergo hydrostatic pressure tests at 1.5 times their rated operating pressure in accordance with ASME B31.3 standards. Testing is normally conducted for 5 minutes but can be longer upon customer request. A insulation resistance test in dry air is held after the hydrostatic test and the result shall be ≥100 Mohm.  Finally, a voltage test is held at 5KV-50hz for 1 minute.

All Meccanica Segrino butt welded joints undergo a weld inspection with a combination of visual testing (VT) and magnetic particle testing (MT) on all welds. In addition, radiography testing (RT) and phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) can be conducted upon request.

All Meccanica Segrino joints are manufactured under an ISO 9001;2015 Quality Management System. Welders are qualified under the ASME IX.  

Yes, the joints are supplied together with detailed installation instructions written in English.