This brief guide will provide a quick outline of the uses,features and types of the most popular of all quick connect couplings.
What is a Camlock Fitting?
Cam and Groove fittings are a type of quick disconnect couplings that are used to connect pipes, hoses, fittings and equipment (like pumps) together.They are the most popular coupling in the world because they are easy to use and very well priced.
In order to couple there needs to be a male adapter and a female coupler. They are easy to use and create a pressurized seal by simply closing the cam lever arms on the female coupler which compresses the male adapter onto a rubber gasket. This prevents any leaks once the cam fittings are coupled.
They are designed to be easy to install and the threaded camlock (Type A;B;D & F) requires no tools for installation and simply thread into an application. A hose camlock (Type C & E) slides into a hose and can be fastened with hose clamps or a hose crimp.
In summary, Cam & Groove fittings are versatile and reliable and offer a quick and secure way to connect and disconnect hoses, pipes, fittings and other fluid-handling equipment.
What are Camlock Fittings used for?
Cam & Groove fittings are quick connect couplings often used for connecting hoses and pipes together to ensure an easy transfer of wet and dry materials, most commonly liquids & powders or granules.
They are well suited for applications where routine disconnecting and connecting is required or when a quick connection or disconnection is needed. These fittings are widely used in the transfer of food & beverage, water, fuel & oil, chemical solutions, paints & solvents, slurries, as well as for sand, granules & powders.
How Do Camlocks Work?
To make a connection a male adapter and a female coupler are required.
Insert the male adapter into the female coupler.
Then, close the cam lever arms of the female coupler simultaneously in order to compress the male grooved adapter onto the recessed rubber gasket inside the female coupler.
Open the cam handles and separate the coupler and adapter.
Materials of Construction
Camlock fittings are available in various materials each offering different levels of chemical resistance, strength, and corrosion resistance, allowing users to select the most suitable option for their specific application. Stainless steel camlock fittings are known for their durability and resistance to corrosion, making them a popular choice for demanding industrial environments.
Aluminum
Stainless Steel
Brass
Polypropylene (Plastic)
Types of Camlock Fittings
Camlock fittingscome in various types and sizes to accommodate the different application requirements depending on the type of thread or hose size. The most common types include:
Type A: Male Adapter to female thread
Type B: Female Coupler to male thread
Type C: Female Coupler to hose shank
Type D: Female Coupler to hose shank
Type E: Male Adapter to hose shank
Type F: Male Adapter to hose shank
Type DC: Dust Cap
Type DP: Dust Plug
Type DA: Female Coupler to Male Adapter
Type AA: Male Adapter to Male Adapter (Spool)
Type DD: Female Coupler to Female Coupler
How to size a camlock fitting
The size of a camlock is classified according to the size of its thread or hose shank. So If you have a 1” Thread or a 1” hose, then you will require a 1” Cam & Groove Coupling.
Traditionally, the outside diameter (O.D.) of the male adapter was measured. This was compared to the inside diameter (I.D.) of the female coupler, to make sure the two couplings matched. This measurement is not required as cam and groove couplings are classified, in part, according to their size.
How to select the correct type of cam & groove fitting (Type A or Type F)
When selecting the camlock type, one has to consider that there are two parts, the adapter or coupler portion, and the thread or hose shank portion.
Each Coupling will either have a Male Adapter portion or a Female coupler portion:
Adapter portion : Often referred to as a Male Camlock or a Female Camlock. The male adapter is the part with a groove that fits inside the female coupler. Male adapters include: Type A,Type E, Type F and Type DP.
Coupler portion: Often referred to as a Female Camlock.The female coupler is the part with the cam lever arms. Female Couplers include: Type B, Type C, Type D and Type DC.
Each Coupling will also either have a Male Thread or Female Thread or Hose Shank:
Thread portion: Options include Male Thread, Female Thread or Hose Shank. A male adapter with female threads is called a Type A. See below for full classifications:
Hose Shank portion: If the cam fitting does not have threads it could have a Hose Shank. A male adapter with a hose shank is called a Type E and a female coupler with a hose shank is called a Type C.
See below for full descriptions of Cam & Groove fitting types:
Type A: Male Camlock with a female thread
Type B: Female Camlock with a male thread
Type C: Female Camlock with a hose shank
Type D: Female Camlock with a hose shank
Type E: Male Camlock with a hose shank
Type F: Male Camlock with a hose shank
Type DC: Dust Cap
Type DP: Dust Plug
Advantages of Cam & Groove Fittings
When coupled the Internal diameter (I.D.) of the connection remains constant which means it maintains the pipe's size. This maintains the flow rate of materials being transferred. This is particularly useful when connecting hoses, since the highest flow rate is maintained.
No threads are utilized in the coupling process. This means they are suitable for dirty applications where dust and dirt could affect the threading princess. They couple by means of closing lever arms which can be done in many harsh environments and this also allows for a quick connection.
Where are Camlocks used?
They are used in a wide variety of industries that transfer liquids or granules/powders.
Agriculture: Widely used in irrigation systems.
Brewing: Used in Homebrewing to connect tubing to various fittings, kettles, tanks and pumps. Becoming popular in microbreweries where they can connect with Tri-Clamp Fittings
Food and Beverage: Used to provide connections in food and beverage processing applications.
Fuel and Oil: Routinely used to connect fuel trucks to tanks for fuel transfer.
Marine: Used in the marine environments to transfer saltwater and brine and also used for fuel and bilge hoses
Military: Used in a wide variety of Military and Government installations.
Paints: Ink and paint manufacturing plants require routine change in fittings made possible by the quick connect/disconnect action of Cam & Groove Couplings.
Pumps: Used to connect hose to pumps for fluid transfer.
Tanks: Used to connect chemical hose to tanks for chemical transfer and storage.
Waste Water: Used in water treatment plants to connect hose to various components.
