of the plug serves to seal the opening 24 the electronic torque wrench is then used to turn the plug 30 to a preset torque generally a torque of about 15 ft lbs is adequate to test the joint 16 without destroying it the torque wrench serves as a torque detecting mechanism since it determines the amount of torque being applied once the predetermined amount of torque is applied the joint is visually inspected to see whether cracks have formed as such the fusion joint is tested by axially moving the test plug to exert an upward force on the fusion joint and the torque detecting mechanism 45 determines the amount of force being applied the operator inspects the joint or interface for a failure alternatively a shear test may be used to test the strength of the joint the heat fusion joint 16 is made by heating the t connector saddle to about 500 degrees fahrenheit as well known in the art standards such as astm standard d2513 provide procedures for fusing the t connector to the main pipe an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in fig4 fig4 shows a test plug 50 having a threaded portion 52 a shank 54 on one end of the threaded portion 52 and a base section 56 at the other end of the threaded portion 52 the shank 54 includes a fluid channel 58 the fluid channel 58 is in fluid communication with an isolated volume a and facilitates the placing of a predetermined amount of fluid pressure on the fusion joint 17 in this manner the fusion joint 17 can also be pneumatically.