A Guide to Cam and Groove Fittings
This brief guide provides a quick outline of the uses, features and types of Cam and Groove quick connect couplings.
What is a Camlock Fitting?
Cam and Groove fittings are a type of quick disconnect coupling used to connect pipes, hoses, fittings and equipment like pumps. They are very popular worldwide due to their ease of use and good value.
How They Work:
To couple, a male adapter and a female coupler are needed. They are easy to use and create a pressurised seal by simply closing the cam lever arms on the female coupler, which compresses the male adapter onto a rubber gasket. This prevents leaks once the cam fittings are joined.
Installation:
They are designed to be easy to install. Threaded camlocks (Type A, B, D & F) require no tools and simply screw into an application. Hose camlocks (Type C & E) slide into a hose and can be fastened with hose clamps or a hose crimp.
Uses:
Cam & Groove fittings are versatile and reliable, offering a quick and secure way to connect and disconnect hoses, pipes, fittings and other fluid-handling equipment.
They are well suited for applications where routine disconnecting and connecting is needed or when a quick connection or disconnection is required. 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.
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.
* Aluminium
* Stainless Steel
* Brass
* Polypropylene (Plastic)
Types of Camlock Fittings:
Camlock fittings come in various types and sizes to accommodate 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
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 and compared to the inside diameter (I.D.) of the female coupler to ensure 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 must 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 has 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 has 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, as the highest flow rate is maintained.
No threads are used in the coupling process. This means they are suitable for dirty applications where dust and dirt could affect the threading process. 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 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 component
