Abzweiger

Abzweiger is a German term used in engineering to describe a branching point or device that taps a secondary line from a main line, creating a branch. It is a generic concept rather than a single standardized component, applied across several disciplines, including piping, electrical distribution, and rail infrastructure.

In piping and fluid systems, an Abzweiger refers to a branch take-off where a secondary pipeline taps into a larger conduit. This can be achieved with fittings such as tees or saddles, or through welding and branching methods, and is designed to control flow, pressure, and leakage between the main line and the branch.

In electrical engineering, an Abzweiger denotes a conductor that taps off from a main feeder to supply downstream circuits. Such branches must meet electrical codes and standards for safe insulation, protection, and impedance management, with components like cable taps, junction connections, or protective devices used to ensure reliability.

In railway engineering, the term can describe a branching point on tracks where traffic diverges from a main line toward a siding or secondary route. The actual equipment for such diversion is usually referred to as a turnout or switch, with Abzweiger appearing in some German-language technical texts as a descriptive or historical term.

Design and safety considerations vary by domain: hydraulic systems emphasize flow and pressure management; electrical networks focus on current capacity and fault protection; rail applications require correct geometry and signaling for safe operation. Etymology: from ab- “away” and zweigen “to branch.”