What type of plumbing fitting is typically used to change the direction of fluid flow?

The fitting that is typically used to change the direction of fluid flow is the elbow. An elbow fitting is designed to create a bend in the piping, allowing the fluid to flow at angles such as 90 or 45 degrees. This type of fitting is essential in plumbing systems where pipes need to maneuver around obstacles or change the route of the flow without causing excessive pressure loss or turbulence.

While TEE fittings also facilitate changes in direction, they serve a different purpose by allowing the insertion of an additional branch line, thus creating a forked path for the fluid. Couplings are utilized to connect two straight sections of pipe, maintaining the existing direction of flow, while reducers are designed to change the diameter of the pipe, which helps manage flow rates rather than alter the direction. Therefore, the elbow fitting is the most straightforward option specifically focused on changing the direction of fluid flow.