Camlock Fittings Guide
Designing Your Application - The very first order of operation when deciding to use camlocks is the direction of water flow. Typically water flows out of a male camlock and into a female camlock. On the discharge side of a pump, a male camlock is installed for quick connection and release. Most applications fall into two categories, open (fluid flowing from an open end hose) or closed (both ends of the hose are connected).
Determine Your Fluid - Fluid type is important for choosing camlock material and gasket type. For example, flowing water applications often work well with aluminum camlocks with Buna Nitrile gaskets. On the other hand, saltwater applications are best with brass camlocks for corrosion resistance.
Determine Your Size - After your determine your fluid type, you need to determine what size camlocks you might need. The outside diameter of a male camlocks is not equivalent to standard widths. For example, the outside diameter of a 2" male camlock is 2 1/2" size.
Determine Your Material - Camlock fittings are available in many different materials. The most common camlocks are aluminum, stainless steel, polypropylene, brass, high pressure and food grade.
Determine Your Pressure - It is important to understand how camlock pressure ratings can determine the safety of your hose or pump system applications. The pressure rating chart below help you determine the maximum pressure for each camlock material types.
Determine Your Camlock Type - If your camlock application is for a hose connection, your need camlocks with hose shanks. All other applications will require camlocks with threads.
Determine Your Camlock Threads - Camlock fittings typically come with National Pipe Tapered (NPT), British Standard Pipe (BSP), Garden Hose Thread (GHT) and Fire Hose (NH).
The most common threads found on camlocks are NPT. A male camlock with NPT threads will thread into any female with the same threads. A male camlock with NPT threads will also thread into a female NPSH fitting. Connections that are male NPT to female NPT will seal with the threads. Camlocks that are male NPT to female NPSH will seal with a gasket.
Female Camlocks - All female camlocks come with replaceable gaskets. Typically they have between 1-4 locking arms with safety pins. Additionally, safety straps or safety clips are always recommended.
Self-Locking Camlocks - Increases safety in applications where no spills are ensured. Self-locking arms stay locked in the closed position, assuring your line is always attached. They can be manually opened by an operator. To unlock the Self-locking handles, the rings at the end of the handle will have to be manually pulled.
High-Pressure Camlock - High-pressure “Made in the USA” camlocks have a maximum operating pressure of 750 psi and will connect to most fire hydrants, fire hoses, or metal pipe fittings. With 18 different variations of specialized National Hose thread (NH) and National Pipe Thread (NPT) camlocks, we can provide a solution to almost any high-pressure camlock application necessary.
Domestic vs Imported Camlocks - Camlock fittings, in most cases, are interchangeable between well-trusted manufacturers. Some significantly larger than 6" or smaller than 1" may not be perfectly compatible. Standard sizes, from 1 1/2" to 6" with the exception of 5", are usually compatible regardless of domestic or global sourcing. Furthermore, domestically-manufactured cam locks generally exhibit better engineering tolerances and manufacturing finishes than their respective global counterparts.
We don't recommend mixing types of camlock materials, such as plastic or metal, as the weaker tensile strength of the two can result in connection failure.
Camlock Sizes - 1/2" to 8" are the most common.
Types of Camlock Fittings
Type A - Male Camlock with a Female Thread
Type B - Female Camlock with a Male Thread
Type D - Female Camlock with a Female Thread
Type F - Male Camlock with a Male Thread
Type C and E camlocks are used with band clamps or hose clamps
Type C - Female Camlock with a Shank (hose barb)
Type E - Male Camlock with a Shank (hose barb)
Types of Caps and Plugs
Type DC - Dust Cap
Type DP - Dust Plug
Camlock Jump Sizes - Type DA Female Camlock to Male Camlock
Camlock Spool Adapter Sizes - 1 1/2" to 6" are the most common sizes for Type DD Female to Female Camlocks. 1" to 6" are most common sizes for Type AA Male to Male Camlocks.
Types of Camlock Elbows
Type A - Male Camlock to Female NPT 90 Degree Elbow
Type B - Female Camlock to Male NPT 90 Degree Elbow
Type C - Female Camlock to Shank 90 Degree Elbow
Type D - Female Camlock to Female NPT 90 Degree Elbow
Type E - Male Camlock to Hose Shank 90 Degree Elbow
Type F - Male Camlock to Male NPT 90 Degree Elbow
Type 90 DA - Female Camlock to Male Camlock 90 Degree Elbow
Type 45 DA - Female Camlock to Male Camlock 45 Degree Elbow
Type 90 DD - Female Camlock to Female Camlock 90 Degree Elbow
