Toilet Pan Connectors — Flexible, Straight, 90°, and Offset Connectors for UK Plumbers

A pan connector is one of the smallest but most critical fittings in any bathroom installation — it links the toilet outlet to the soil pipe. Get it wrong and the pan rocks, leaks, or smells. Get it right and the job is finished in minutes. This guide covers the main types — flexible, straight, 90°, and offset — and how to choose the correct connector for the installation.

Why Pan Connectors Matter

Most toilets use a 4-inch (110mm) outlet. The soil pipe inlet is also typically 110mm. The pan connector bridges the gap between them, accommodating variations in height, angle, and horizontal offset. Because no two bathroom layouts are identical — wall positions, floor construction, and toilet model all vary — a range of connector types exists for each scenario.

UK Building Regulations (Approved Document H) require that WC connections are watertight and that the pan is supported so it cannot rock. A poorly seated connector is a leading cause of callbacks on bathroom refurbishments.

Types of Toilet Pan Connector

Flexible Pan Connector (Universal)

The flexible pan connector is the go-to choice for most replacement installations. Its corrugated body bends to accommodate horizontal offset, height differences, and minor misalignment between the toilet outlet and soil pipe. The Embrass Peerless Flexible Pan Connector 100/110mm accepts both 100mm and 110mm outlets and is the highest-volume pan connector sold by APM — a reliable choice for the majority of domestic replacements.

Flexible connectors are suited to:

• Like-for-like toilet replacements where the soil pipe position is fixed
• Older properties where the soil pipe exit may be off-centre
• Installations with minor height variation between pan and spigot

90° Flexible Pan Connector (Back-to-Wall and Close-Coupled)

When the soil pipe exits horizontally from the wall directly behind the toilet — typical of back-to-wall and close-coupled suites — a 90° flexible connector is required. The Embrass Peerless 90° Flexible Long provides the 90-degree bend while retaining flexibility to accommodate minor misalignment. The long version gives more reach for toilets set further from the wall.

Common applications:

• Back-to-wall toilets with horizontal wall exit
• Close-coupled suites in modern bathrooms
• En-suite installations where soil pipe enters via stud wall

Straight (Rigid) Pan Connector

For new-build installations where the soil pipe has been positioned precisely during construction, a straight rigid connector provides the cleanest, most secure connection. The Embrass Peerless Straight Pan Connector 4" is a push-fit rigid fitting — it is the lowest-cost option and ideal when alignment is not an issue.

Straight connectors are preferred when:

• Soil pipe position is designed for the toilet in question
• No offset or height adjustment is needed
• Maximum rigidity is required (e.g. accessible bathrooms where pan stability is critical)

MACFIT Straight Connector (Snap-Fit System)

McAlpine's MACFIT range uses a mechanical snap-fit joint rather than a push-fit seal. The McAlpine WC-CON1 4"/110mm is suitable for both 4-inch and 110mm pipe systems and provides a secure, leak-resistant connection that can be disassembled without cutting. Popular with plumbers who want a more positive connection than a standard push-fit.

How to Choose the Right Pan Connector

The most important variable is the position of the soil pipe relative to the toilet outlet:

Soil Pipe Size

Virtually all UK domestic soil pipes are 110mm (4-inch). Universal connectors like the Embrass Peerless 100/110mm flexible will accommodate both sizes. Older properties with 4-inch cast iron or clay drainage should be measured carefully — the external diameter can vary between manufacturers.

Measurement

Before purchasing a replacement connector, measure:

1. Distance from wall to toilet outlet centre — determines whether a standard or long connector is needed
2. Height of the outlet above floor level — relevant for straight connectors
3. Horizontal offset — if the pan outlet centre does not align with the soil pipe centre, an offset connector is required

Installation Notes

Pan connectors are push-fit — no solvent weld or adhesive is required. Insert the connector into the soil pipe spigot first, then seat the toilet outlet into the connector. The pan should then be secured to the floor with fixing bolts to prevent rocking. A rocking toilet will break the push-fit seal over time.

Where access under the floor is limited, a flexible connector provides the most tolerance. On new installations where pipe positions are designed to suit the toilet, a straight connector gives the most rigid result.

Compliance

Pan connectors installed as part of a new WC installation in England and Wales fall under Building Regulations Part H (Drainage and Waste Disposal). The connection must be watertight and the pan must be stable. For work in Scotland, Technical Handbook Section 3 applies equivalent requirements.

Where access is required for maintenance (particularly in concealed installations), the McAlpine MACFIT connectors offer the advantage of tool-free disassembly.

Pan Connectors at APM Electricals

APM stocks pan connectors from Embrass Peerless and McAlpine — the two most widely used brands on UK plumbing jobs. Available for collection from our trade counter in Acton, West London.

Browse the full range: Bathroom Accessories | Plumbing Fittings

Embrass Peerless Flexible Pan Connector 100/110mm

Universal flexible connector for standard domestic toilet replacements. Accepts 100mm and 110mm outlets.

Buy Now

Embrass Peerless Pan Connector 90° Flexible Long 4"

90-degree flexible connector for back-to-wall and close-coupled toilets with horizontal wall soil pipe exit.

Buy Now

Embrass Peerless Straight Pan Connector 4"

Rigid straight connector for new-build installations where soil pipe is positioned precisely below the pan outlet.

Buy Now

McAlpine WC-CON1 Straight Pan Connector 4"/110mm

MACFIT snap-fit connector from McAlpine. Positive mechanical joint, disassembles without cutting. 4"/110mm.

Buy Now

APM Electricals — 24 Western Avenue, Acton, London W3 7TZ — 020 8702 8080
Trade counter open Mon–Fri. Same-day collection available on stocked items.