GLOSSARY OF PLUMBING TERMS | M

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“M” Tubing – An industry standard for copper tubing defined by the tube wall thickness, identified by a “red” stripe.

MC Tank – Acetylene tank holding 10 cu. ft. of gas, used for plumbing, once used to fuel motorcycles.

MCL – Maximum Contaminant Level The maximum level of a contaminant allowed in water by federal law. Based on health effects and currently available treatment methods.

MHT – Male Hose Threads (threads on outside of connection)

MIP – Male Iron Pipe Connection. Standard external threads on pipe and fittings.

MNPT – This refers to the male pipe thread, in which the threads are on the outer side on the connection fitting.

MPX – Male Pipe Swivel Connection

Macerator – A device installed in a drain line between a toilet and the soil stack to reduce solids to liquid form.

Main – The primary artery of supply of the water supply or drain system in which all the branches connect. In the case of drains, known as the Main Vent.

Male Fitting – Fitting that is inserted into another fitting.

Male Threads – Threads on the outside of pipes and fittings.

Malleable Fittings – Fittings made of cast iron. Metal which is soft and pliable.

Manhole – Access opening to a hole, usually with a cover, through which a person may enter a sewer, boiler, drain, etc. (usually round to prevent the cover from falling into the opening).

Manifold – A fitting that connects a number of branches to the main; serves as a distribution point.

Manifold Pressure – The gas pressure in an appliance manifold upstream of the burner orifices.

Manifolded Installation – Paralleling of water heaters for large hot water demand applications.

Mapp Gas – A colorless, flammable gas made by combining liquefied petroleum gas with Methylacetylene-Propadiene. It is a stable, non-toxic fuel used in brazing and soldering.

Mechanic’s Lien – A lien obtained by an unpaid subcontractor or supplier through the courts. When enforced, real property – such as your home – can be sold to pay the subcontractor or supplier.

Mechanical Controls – Dials, slides, switches, knobs, buttons, and so forth used to operate ranges, ovens and cook-tops.

Mechanicals – The wiring, plumbing and heating and cooling systems in a building; also the components with moving parts such as furnaces, plumbing fixtures, etc.

Metal Fatigue – A breakage of the metal caused by the bending and flexing or the expansion and contraction of a metal part beyond its endurance limit.

Meter Tailpiece – An adapter connecting a water meter to the water supply line.

Meter Tile – The cylindrically shaped casing that forms the pit to hold a water meter. It’s usually made of plastic.

Micron – A unit of measure, one thousandth of a meter. Used to describe the pore size of filters.

Mini-Widespread – A special style of bathroom lavatory faucet having separate spout and handles, but small enough to fit 4 inch center-to-center faucet holes.

Minimum Run Time – The minimum length of time that the pump should run while refilling the pressure tank.

Mission Coupling – A neoprene flex coupling, connecting PVC to PVC or clay to PVC.

Mixer – The portion of a burner where air and gas are mixed before delivery to the burner ports.

Mixing Valve – Mixes hot and cold water to achieve a specified delivery temperature.

Moenstone – A blend of ceramic-like quartz (70%) and acrylic polymer (30%) that is impervious to chips or water spots.

Monitor Cover – The cast iron lid that fits over a flange casting which is mounted on meter tile in a water meter pit. It consists of an outer lid, an inner lid, and the flange casting in one or two pieces.

Monoblock Faucet – A single-handle faucet, usually a lever.

Most Probable Number (MPN) – The term used to indicate the number of organisms which, according to statistical theory, would be most likely to produce the results observed in certain bacteriological tests; usually expressed as a number in 100 ml of water.

Multiport Valve – Rotary type backwash valve. Can replace up to 6 regular gate valves. Serves various functions.

Multi-Stage Pump – A pump that has more than one impeller.

Municipal Water – Water supplied by a city for public use; tap water. Usually held in a reservoir.

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Source: “Plumbing Terms” Standard Plumbing Supply. 11 Sept. 2008