Tee, Slip x Slip x Slip PVC Schedule 80 3/8" (801-003)

This 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC Equal Tee provides a full-size, solvent-cemented branch outlet off a 3/8" PVC main run, with all three slip socket ends accepting standard 3/8" PVC pipe for solvent cement joining. The two run ports maintain the straight-through flow path of the main, while the branch outlet presents an equal 3/8" socket perpendicular to the run — delivering the same full pipe diameter at the branch as at the run, with no size reduction at the tee body.

At 3/8", this tee operates in the domain of fine-bore instrument supply lines, gauge line assemblies, small-bore analytical piping, and specialized process connections — the narrowly defined niche where 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC pipe appears in solvent-welded system layouts. In these applications, the 3/8" equal tee splits or distributes a 3/8" instrument supply run into parallel branch connections, transitions a 3/8" gauge line header into an individual gauge supply branch, or taps a 3/8" process monitoring branch off a 3/8" supply run — all configurations where the full 3/8" branch capacity is required at the tee position and all three connections are cemented PVC pipe rather than threaded component interfaces.

This application specificity is the defining characteristic of the 801-003 within the 801-series equal tee range and is what distinguishes it from its larger-bore siblings. The 801-010 (1" equal tee) serves the broad population of primary process headers, water distribution mains, and equipment supply connections at the most prevalent commercial and industrial Schedule 80 pipe size. The 801-007 (3/4" equal tee) serves secondary distribution headers, equipment feeds, and branch supply connections at a common small-to-medium pipe size spanning multiple system types. The 801-003 serves a single, well-defined application niche — the fine-bore instrument supply and analytical process piping context where 3/8" is a standard pipe size — with a correspondingly focused buyer population of instrument technicians, process engineers, and specialty process piping contractors who source 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC fittings for specific instrument supply system construction and maintenance applications.

The all-socket construction of the 801-003 is the correct configuration when both the upstream run and the downstream branch are solvent-welded 3/8" PVC pipe runs — when the branch point occurs within a fully cemented instrument supply or process pipe assembly. Where the branch requires a threaded connection to an instrument body, manifold port, or gauge fitting rather than a cemented pipe run, a mixed-connection or threaded-outlet tee variant would apply; the 801-003 serves the fully cemented configuration where the 3/8" branch is a pipe-to-pipe cemented run throughout the system from the tee body to the downstream instrument connection point.

The significantly elevated pressure rating at 3/8" Schedule 80 — approximately 1300 psi at 73°F — reflects the high pressure capacity of fine-bore Schedule 80 PVC fittings at this small pipe size. This rating is well above the operating pressures of most commercial instrument supply and process monitoring systems, ensuring the tee is not the pressure-limiting component in any standard 3/8" Schedule 80 instrument supply or process piping application.

Manufactured in dark gray Schedule 80 PVC, this tee delivers the wall thickness and mechanical strength required in industrial, chemical, and commercial pressure piping where Schedule 40 ratings are insufficient. PVC's broad chemical resistance covers acids, bases, salts, chlorine, and most common process and instrument fluids, providing long service life in corrosive environments where metal tees would degrade or contaminate fine-bore instrument supply lines. NSF/ANSI 61 listing confirms suitability for potable water contact.

Rated to approximately 1300 psi at 73°F, this tee handles the full range of pressures encountered in fine-bore Schedule 80 PVC instrument supply and process piping systems. Three separate solvent-cemented joints must be made at installation. For all three joints, clean and dry each pipe end and socket interior before application. Apply purple PVC primer to all mating surfaces — both 3/8" run port sockets and the 3/8" branch socket, and all three corresponding pipe ends. Apply a uniform coat of Schedule 80 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 to prevent pushback. At this fine bore, the cement working time is short — have each pipe aligned and ready to insert before applying cement. Stagger the three joints where possible and allow full cure time per the cement manufacturer's temperature and humidity guidelines before pressurizing. Apply published pressure derating factors for service temperatures above 73°F.

Specifications:

Industries & Applications:

• Instrument Supply & Gauge Line Distribution — The defining application for the 3/8" Schedule 80 equal tee: splits a 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC solvent-welded instrument supply run into parallel branch connections at gauge manifold distribution points, monitoring station supply headers, and instrument rack supply assemblies where the full 3/8" branch capacity is required at each takeoff and all connections are cemented PVC pipe within the instrument supply system
• Industrial Process Piping — Provides a full-size 3/8" solvent-cemented branch outlet off a 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC process line at parallel monitoring point splits, fine-bore distribution branch points, and sampling system branch connections in chemical processing, water treatment, and manufacturing facility piping where 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC serves the fine-bore process monitoring and instrument supply function
• Chemical Dosing & Fine-Bore Distribution — Taps a full-size 3/8" branch off a 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC chemical feed supply run at parallel dosing circuit splits, reagent distribution branch points, and fine-bore injection assembly distribution positions in fully cemented Schedule 80 chemical dosing systems where the branch must carry the same fine-bore flow capacity as the main run
• Laboratory & Analytical Process Piping — Distributes a 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC solvent-welded supply run into parallel branches at laboratory process connection distribution points, analytical instrument supply splits, and sample conditioning assembly branch positions where the 3/8" pipe run is a fully cemented PVC assembly within a solvent-welded Schedule 80 laboratory piping system
• Water & Wastewater Treatment — Provides a full-size 3/8" branch off a 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC instrument supply main at monitoring station distribution points, fine-bore sampling line branch connections, and process instrument supply splits in municipal and industrial water treatment facilities where both the run and branch are cemented 3/8" PVC pipe assemblies within the instrument supply system
• Control Panel & Instrument Rack Piping — Used within control panel enclosures, instrument rack assemblies, and analyzer shelter piping where a 3/8" Schedule 80 PVC instrument supply run must be distributed into parallel branch connections for multiple instrument inputs — the all-socket construction maintaining the fully cemented system integrity through each branch point in the compact instrument rack piping layout
• HVAC & Mechanical Monitoring Systems — Installed at 3/8" branch distribution points on Schedule 80 PVC fine-bore instrument supply runs, cooling tower chemical monitoring headers, and treated water instrument supply systems where the run must be split into parallel 3/8" cemented branch connections for monitoring station distribution within a fully solvent-welded mechanical monitoring system