Reducing Tee, Slip x Slip x Slip PVC Schedule 40 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" x 1" (401-168)

This 1-1/4" × 1" Schedule 40 PVC Reducing Tee provides a reducing solvent-cemented branch outlet off a 1-1/4" PVC main run, with equal 1-1/4" slip socket run ports maintaining the straight-through flow path of the main and a reducing 1" slip socket branch outlet providing a one-step smaller perpendicular branch connection. All three ends accept their respective PVC pipe sizes for solvent cement joining. The run continues at the full 1-1/4" diameter through both run ports — the one-step size reduction occurs only at the branch, not at the run.

Within the 401-series 1-1/4" run sub-group, the 401-168 occupies the shallowest-reduction position — the closest to an equal tee of the three standard reducing configurations at this run size. The 401-166 makes the deepest three-step reduction to a 1/2" branch for chemical dosing and instrument connections. The 401-167 makes an intermediate two-step reduction to a 3/4" branch for zone supply runs and secondary distribution connections. The 401-168 makes the minimal one-step reduction to a 1" branch — the adjacent smaller pipe size — serving the broadest downstream application population of the three. The three-entry selection guide for the 1-1/4" run sub-group is now complete: a 1" downstream branch requires the 401-168; a 3/4" downstream branch requires the 401-167; a 1/2" downstream branch requires the 401-166.

The 1" branch outlet is what gives the 401-168 the broadest downstream application reach in the 1-1/4" run sub-group. One-inch PVC pipe is among the most prevalent pipe sizes in commercial and residential Schedule 40 systems — appearing across primary headers, equipment supply connections, secondary distribution runs, and branch supply mains throughout irrigation, pool and spa, commercial plumbing, water treatment, and light industrial layouts. When a 1-1/4" transitional run must tap a 1" branch — for any of the broad range of applications where 1" pipe serves the branch flow requirement — the 401-168 is the single-fitting solution at the tee body.

The 401-168 also has a direct parallel across the run size boundary: the 401-015 (1-1/2" equal tee, previously written) and the 401-126 (1" × 1" × 3/4", previously written) both appear in systems that may include 1-1/4" runs. But the most directly related entry at the same branch size is the 401-122 (1" × 1" × 1/2") and 401-126 (1" × 1" × 3/4") — these serve 1" run tees, not 1-1/4" run tees. The 401-168 specifically serves the 1-1/4" run with a 1" branch, filling the gap between the equal 1-1/4" tee and the deeper-reducing 401-167.

In system layouts where the distribution hierarchy progresses from a 1-1/4" transitional secondary header and must simultaneously maintain the 1-1/4" run continuity while tapping a 1" branch supply to a primary equipment connection, valve body, or secondary distribution run, the 401-168 provides the direct, single-fitting branch without requiring a separate 1-1/4" equal tee plus a downstream 1-1/4"-to-1" reducer bushing or reducer coupling at the branch position. The one-step branch reduction also produces the smoothest hydraulic branch transition of the three 1-1/4" run reducing tee entries — the minimal size differential between the 1-1/4" run and the 1" branch minimizes flow disruption at the tee junction.

The governing-end pressure rating follows the standard reducing tee convention: the larger 1-1/4" run ports govern the assembly at approximately 280 psi at 73°F. The 1" branch socket would independently carry a slightly higher pressure rating at that bore size, but the assembly is governed by the 1-1/4" run ends — consistent with all reducing tees in this catalog.

Manufactured in white Schedule 40 PVC, this tee delivers reliable performance across residential, commercial, and light industrial piping applications. PVC's resistance to acids, bases, salts, chlorine, and common process fluids provides long service life where metal tees would corrode or scale. NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI 14 listings confirm suitability for potable water contact.

Rated to 280 psi at 73°F (governed by the 1-1/4" run port sockets), this fitting handles standard pressure service across irrigation, pool and spa, commercial plumbing, water treatment, and light industrial applications. Three separate solvent-cemented joints must be made at installation. Clean and dry each pipe end and socket interior before application. Apply purple PVC primer to all mating surfaces — both 1-1/4" run port sockets, the 1" branch socket, and all three corresponding pipe ends. Apply a uniform coat of Schedule 40 PVC solvent cement to both the pipe end and socket interior at each joint before inserting. Insert each pipe with a slight quarter-turn twist and hold firmly for 30 seconds. Confirm the correct pipe size is aligned to each socket before cementing — the 1-1/4" run port sockets and the 1" branch socket are visually distinct; confirm which socket faces the branch direction before applying primer. Stagger the three joints where possible and allow full cure time per the cement manufacturer's guidelines before pressurizing. Apply published pressure derating factors for service temperatures above 73°F.

Specifications:

Industries & Applications:

• Commercial & Residential Irrigation — Taps a reducing 1" branch off a 1-1/4" solvent-cemented Schedule 40 PVC secondary lateral or transitional-size submain at zone supply splits, primary lateral takeoffs, valve station branch connections, and distribution tee positions in residential and commercial irrigation systems where the 1" branch supplies a zone lateral, equipment connection, or primary distribution run while the 1-1/4" transitional main continues through the tee at full capacity — the highest-frequency application for the 401-168 given the prevalence of 1" as the standard downstream pipe size at 1-1/4" transitional run branch positions
• Pump Station & Secondary Distribution — Provides a 1" reducing branch off a 1-1/4" solvent-cemented Schedule 40 PVC pump discharge secondary header, transitional distribution main, or equipment supply run at primary branch supply positions in residential and commercial pump station assemblies and mechanical equipment supply systems where the 1" branch serves the most common adjacent-size supply function drawing from the 1-1/4" transitional primary run
• Pool, Spa & Aquaculture — Branches a 1" supply line off a 1-1/4" solvent-welded Schedule 40 PVC equipment supply or secondary recirculation run at primary equipment supply branch points, parallel circuit distribution splits, and major equipment connection branches in residential and commercial pool, spa, and aquatic facility installations where the 1" branch serves the primary adjacent-size supply function off the 1-1/4" transitional distribution run
• Commercial Plumbing — Provides a 1" reducing branch off a 1-1/4" solvent-welded Schedule 40 PVC secondary water supply header at primary fixture supply branches, major equipment feed connections, and primary zone supply takeoffs in commercial building water distribution and mechanical room systems where the 1" branch serves the most prevalent adjacent-size supply function off the 1-1/4" transitional secondary header
• Water & Wastewater Treatment — Taps a 1" reducing branch off a 1-1/4" Schedule 40 PVC secondary distribution header at equipment supply branch points, primary zone supply takeoffs, and main distribution branches in light-duty municipal and industrial water treatment facilities where the 1" branch serves the primary downstream distribution or equipment supply function off the 1-1/4" transitional run
• Light Industrial Process Piping — Provides a 1" reducing branch off a 1-1/4" solvent-welded Schedule 40 PVC process distribution header at primary equipment supply splits, main branch positions, and zone supply takeoffs in light industrial Schedule 40 systems where the 1" branch serves the primary process supply function off the 1-1/4" transitional process header
• Secondary Header to Primary Branch Transitions — Delivers the shallowest one-step all-cement branch reduction from a 1-1/4" transitional secondary header to a 1" primary branch supply run across all Schedule 40 system types where the 1-1/4" transitional pipe size bridges the gap between the 1-1/2" primary distribution and the 1" branch supply tier in the distribution hierarchy — the defining application context for the shallowest and broadest-reach reducing tee in the 1-1/4" run sub-group