The Megapress/Megapress S press-​in branch connector is suitable for thick-​walled steel pipes. The press-​in branch connector generates a threaded connection in pipelines. Particularly suitable for confined spaces, e.g. manifold installations for sensors, thermometers, or drains. The press-​in branch connector is not suitable for use in potable water installations. For this reason, press-​in branch connectors are labelled with a black symbol "Not potable water".

Do not use the press-​in branch connector with Prestabo system components or for fuel gases, see Regulations from section: Fields of application .

Use is possible in the following areas among others:

• Industrial and heating systems

• Compressed air systems

• Shipbuilding

• Cooling water pipelines (closed circuit)

• Systems for technical gases (on request)

Compressed air systems subject to the Pressure Equipment Directive must not exceed the following operating pressures:

The press-​in branch connector is suitable e.g. for the following media:

For the applicable directives, see Regulations from section: Media .

• Heating water for closed pump hot water heating systems

• Compressed air

• Anti-​freeze, cooling brines up to a concentration of 50%

• technical gases (on request)

A separate press-​in branch connector is available for different pipe dimensions. The press-​in branch connector is factory-​fitted with an EPDM or FKM profile seal ring.

The press-​in branch connector is coated on the outside with a zinc-​nickel coat; it is suitable for thick-​walled steel pipe, see Compatible pipes . The press-​in branch connector is available with a standardised internal thread Rp¾, see Regulations from section: Press-in branch connector .

For the installation of thermometers etc., a reducer (internal thread Rp½) with EPDM sealing ring is available.

The tool set (article 731 243) for the press-​in branch connector comes in a case.

As an alternative, the SDS-​plus drive can be replaced by a hexagonal drive. Viega recommends use of the hexagonal drive (article 735 753) for this purpose.

We recommend to keep the installer drift in assembled state and store it in the case at all times.

Use the positioning aids to mount the individual press-​in branch connectors. A separate positioning aid is provided for each pipe dimension.

The positioning device indicates the nominal outside diameter in inch and mm.

Use the press-​in branch connector with the following seamless (S) steel pipes or steel pipes welded along the longitudinal seam (W):

• black

• galvanised

• industrially painted

• powder coated

The steel pipes must correspond to the applicable regulations, see Regulations from section: Pipes .

For smooth operation, it is imperative that you use the proper press-​in branch connector for the given pipe dimension. Otherwise the press-​in branch connector may fail or leak.

The standard differentiates between heavy pipe series H and medium pipe series M or between pipe type L, L 1 and L 2, see Regulations from section: Pipes .

The standards differentiate between pipe series 1, 2 and 3. They recommend using installation pipe series 1 as pipe series 2 and 3 are either not or not always available in practice, see Regulations from section: Pipes .

The Megapress press-​in branch connector (EPDM sealing element) is marked with a black dot and the Megapress S press-​in branch connector (FKM sealing element) is marked with a white dot. The dot identifies the SC‑Contur where the test medium would escape in the case of an inadvertently unpressed connection.

The black rectangle indicates that the system is not suitable for potable water.

The press-​in branch connector has a mark (1). The mark serves to check that the marking line and the press-​in branch connector are properly aligned.

The press-​in branch connector indicates the nominal outside diameter in inch and mm.

After mounting the press-​in branch connector, avoid thermal loading beyond the maximum permitted operating temperature, e.g. in the course of welding work. If the pipeline needs bending after the press-​in branch connector has been mounted, the press-​in branch connector must be outside the bending area. Observe a minimum distance of 0.5 x outside pipe diameter to the bending area.

Viega recommends checking the space situation before every drilling process.

For the minimum distances, refer to the table in the respective section.

The working area A depends on the power drill used. Area A is defined by the length of the power drill plus the length of the drilling shaft (170 mm).

Working area B is the length of the press machine (incl. 20 mm duty stroke) with press-​in tool and press-​in branch connector.

The minimum distances c, d, and e are mandatory for mounting the drilling device and the positioning aid.

When press-​in branch connectors are mounted close to each other, minimum distances must be observed. Compliance with the minimum distances allows the positioning aid to be used correctly.

Firstly drill all the holes and then mount the press-​in branch connectors. Otherwise the tension chain cannot be fastened properly.

The minimum distance N relates to the angle of the press-​in branch connectors to each other. The angles are indicated in degrees in the table.

For the Z dimensions, refer to the respective product page in the online catalogue.

For producing a press-​in branch connector, you need the following tools:

• Power drill / hammer drill

• Press machine

• Suction device, e.g. workshop vacuum cleaner

• Marking pen

• Ring or fork spanner, 27 mm

• Ring or fork spanner, 32 mm

• screwdriver

• Wire brush

• Sanding paper (grade 180)

• If applicable, pipe pliers

Use commercially available power drills / hammer drills for the drilling shaft. Viega recommends the use of powerful machines. Using a cordless screwdriver would result in a significantly longer drilling time.

In the following, power drills and hammer drills are briefly referred to as 'drill'.

The drills must meet the following minimum specifications:

• Rated input: ≥ 600 Watt

• Drilling speed max.: 1200 U/min

• Chuck: SDS-​plus or hexagonal drive adapter

• Impact function (can be switched off)

• Friction clutch

Viega recommends using Viega press machines for mounting the Megapress/Megapress S press-​in branch connector.

Recommended Viega press machines:

• Pressgun 5

• Pressgun 4E/4B

• Type PT3-AH

• Type PT3-H/EH

• Type 2

Unsuitable press machines:

• Type 1

• Picco

• Pressgun Picco

Chips are formed during drilling. Connecting a suction device to the drilling device can reduce the contamination of the pipeline by chips to a minimum.

The pipelines must be de-​pressurized and drained completely to avoid the extraction of residual fluid.

To allow for extraction of chips, the suction device specifications must comply with following specifications as a minimum:

• Type: workshop vacuum cleaner

• Rated input: ≥ 1200 Watt

• Air volume: ≥ 50 l/s

• Vacuum: ≥ 200 hPa (200 mbar)

• Nozzle size of connector: 35 mm

• For other connector sizes, use a commercially available 35 mm adapter.

• The mounting surface of the press-​in branch connector is minimum 50mm (B).

• The bore hole is in the centre of the mounting surface.

• The diameter of the bore hole is 27 mm (A).

Major roughness on the pipe may cause the press-​in branch connector to leak.

Roughness can occur due to for example the following factors:

• Insufficient smoothing of external pipe welding seams

• manual application of paint

• in galvanised pipes:
  projections in the zinc layer

Preferably, the press-​in branch connector should not be positioned on the welding seam. If this is unavoidable, align the welding seam to the pipe bend. Pressing on recesses in the welding seam is not permitted.

• The pipe is free of grooves, corrosion, damage, etc.

• There is no roughness such as engraved pipe markings in the pipe surface.

  If roughness is present, treat the area of the sealing surface for the press-​in branch connector until the surface is smooth and even. Viega recommends first removing coarse dirt such as scaling with a wire brush, followed by smoothing with grade 180 sanding paper.

• For drilling, the pipe must have a minimum wall thickness, see Compatible pipes .

• In the area of the bore hole, the pipe wall must be free of damage or impairment (e.g. due to inside or outside corrosion).

• There may be no press connectors, clamps etc. in the area of the bore hole. The drilling device must be able to be properly mounted.

• A wire brush was used to remove paint applied by hand.

• When drilling the bore hole without using the tool set (e.g. by means of a column drill), the vertical bore hole must have an external diameter of 27 mm ± 0.75 mm.

• Before drilling the hole, de-​pressurize and drain the pipeline section.

• Before drilling the bore hole, read the following chapters: Space requirements and intervals and Preparing the pipes .

Carry out the steps in the sequence described in the following.

The drilling bit with the centre drill is designed in such a way that the drill core ideally remains inside the drilling bit.

Use the reducer (article 731 236 with EPDM sealing element) to reduce the internal thread to Rp½.

The Rp-​thread can be used for installing thermometers, temperature sensors, manometers or drains. It furthermore offers the option to connect pipelines, e.g. for subsequent connection of radiators.

Viega recommends using Viega piping systems for this purpose.

The installer must perform a leakage test (load and leakage test) before commissioning.

Carry out this test on a system that is finished but not yet covered.

Based on the provisions for potable water installations observe the applicable directives, see Regulations from section: Leakage test .

Also carry out a leakage test pursuant to these rules for non-​potable water installations.

Document the result.

After performing the leakage test, the system must be flushed according to the valid regulations, also see Regulations from section: Leakage test .

To ensure smooth operation over a long time, the tool must be cleaned regularly.

Cleaning agent

• clean cotton cloth

• Maintenance oil (article 667 924)

The functional safety primarily depends on the operational safety of the individual tools. The tools are subject to normal wear and tear. For this reason, the tools must be maintained regularly.

Immediately replace the drilling bit and centre drill if the first signs of wear appear. If used properly, Viega components can be used for the following number of bores:

The components must be maintained every 2 years.

The positioning device does not require maintenance. Replace it when worn or not operative.

The drilling bit must be replaced when you observe the following:

• a deterioration of the drilling efficiency (e.g. you need to apply more force when drilling a hole)

• damage or heavy wear of the teeth

Replace the centre drill at first signs of wear.

The drilling shaft is equipped with an SDS-​plus drive. For power drills without an SDS-​plus drive, the SDS-​plus drive can be replaced by a hexagonal drive (article 735 753).