What are the Different Types of Camlock Fittings?
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If you’re new to the world of camlock fittings, you can easily be overwhelmed by the vast offerings available - different types of camlock fittings, different materials, and different sizes. Which do you choose? In this article, we discuss the various types of fittings available on the market, and what you need to consider when choosing the right fitting for you needs.
So, what are the different types of camlock fittings? Camlock fittings come in a variety of different types, from Part A through to Part F. They are also available in a range of different materials (including Polypropylene, Stainless Steel and Aluminium), and sizes to suit different across countless industries.
Read on to learn more about the different types of camlock fittings, and the considerations you need to take into account when choosing your fittings.
What are the Different Types of Camlocks?
A camlock fitting, also called a cam and groove coupling, is used to connect two hoses and or pipes together, allowing a commodity to be transferred from one hose to the other. The camlock is one of the most popular coupling methods around the world due to them requiring no additional tools to install and being less time consuming than more traditional methods.
Camlocks are used across a wide variety of industries, and come in various types to suit different uses.
- Part A - adaptors with a female thread
- Part B - coupler with male thread
- Part C - coupler with hose tail
- Part D - coupler with female thread
- Part E - adaptor with hose tail
- Part F - adaptor with male thread
- Part DC - dust cap for adaptors
- Part DP - dust plug for couplers
The different types of camlocks are also available in a variety of materials; Polypropylene, Stainless Steel, and Aluminium are commonly used due to their versatility and ability to support a wide range of materials, from water to gas, and even chemicals.
Which Camlock Fitting Do I Need?
When determining which type of camlock fitting you need, there are a few criteria you need to consider:
Size
You will first need to determine the size of camlock you need - usually from ¾” to 4”. Bear in mind that male and female couplings are slightly different sizes to allow them to couple. Male are measured on the outside, whereas female are measured on the inside.
Temperature
You’ll next need to consider the temperature of materials that will be transferred. For example, Polypropylene fittings can handle temperatures up to 70°C (158°F), whereas Stainless Steel fittings can handle a wider range of temperatures, from -101°C to +260°C (-150°F to +500°F). It is important to note, however, that maximum operating temperatures depend on a variety of factors including pressure, weather, and the type of material being transferred.
Material
The materials that the camlock fitting is made from also needs to be considered when choosing an appropriate fitting. The table below shows the characteristics of Polypropylene, Stainless Steel and Aluminium camlock fittings.
|
Material |
Characteristics |
|
Polypropylene |
|
|
Stainless Steel |
|
|
Aluminium |
|
Operating Pressure
Maximum operating pressure must also be considered when choosing camlock fittings. Below you’ll find the maximum PSI and Bar values for Polypropylene, Stainless Steel, and Aluminium camlock fittings of various sizes.
|
Maximum PSI |
Maximum Bar |
|
|
Polypropylene |
100 |
6.89 |
|
Stainless Steel |
250 |
17.23 |
|
Aluminium |
250 |
17.23 |
Please bear in mind that these figures are the maximum operating pressures for each material, and different sizes of camlock fittings may have a lower maximum operating pressure.
How Do Camlocks Work?
The main camlock fitting is made up of a male adaptor and a female coupler. The handles on the female coupler are extended outwards, the correct size male adapter is placed into the coupler, and the two handles are closed until the two parts are firmly fixed together. To un-couple, reverse the process.
A similar process is used for other camlock fittings, and many are interchangeable across brands/manufacturers as a result of international specifications.
Buy Camlock Fittings
Camlock Fittings stocks a wide range of cam and groove couplings in Polypropylene, Stainless Steel and Aluminium to suit a variety of uses. Take a look at our range online today, and feel free to get in touch with our friendly team if you have any questions, or aren’t quite sure what you need.