Camlock fittings or groove couplings help connect one hose or pipe to another, allowing the easy transfer of different liquids or fluids. Due to their versatile nature and countless applications, cam locks are used across industries, including agriculture, petrol, health, chemicals, etc. Cam fittings come in different sizes, including 2” Camlock, 3” Camlock, 12” Camlock, etc. Therefore, it is necessary for you to know which size is best suited for your plumbing system.
Choosing an incorrect coupling size can lead to poor connections or an unused camlock, which is a waste of money. Hence, in this blog, we will inform you about the different types of camlocks and how you can measure them.
Ways to Measure a Camlock Fitting or Coupling
Every camlock fitting has two main parts: the male adapter and the female coupler. It is important to understand the distinctions between their sizes and the different ways to measure them.
- The size of the female coupler is measured by the diameter of the open end or the inner diameter of the fitting.
- For the male adapter, measure the size of the outer diameter or the diameter of the adapter end.
- Ensure that the outer and inner diameters of your cam fittings match with each other and can be appropriately combined to form a secure fitting.
- While choosing your fittings, you must also ensure that the coupling size (male and female) is good enough to fit in the pipes you want to connect.
- If you are choosing a threaded coupling, it should be slightly larger than the pipe’s diameter.
We recommend using an electronic ruler or a digital caliper to calculate the accurate size. You can also buy couplings online by searching for the best camlock fittings near me on the internet. It will help you find top-quality cam fittings in countless sizes and materials, and you can order the best one for your plumbing system.
Why Is It Necessary to Choose the Right Coupling Size?
Choosing the correct coupling for your system means quick installation and a secure fitting system for years. The appropriate size coupling does not fail due to the application demand and does not transfer stress to the mating components of your plumbing system. Having the right size camlock fitting means maintaining reliability. The other reasons why choosing the precise fitting size is necessary are –
- The wrong fitting size can take hours to install and requires frequent maintenance and lubrication.
- Having the right camlocks bears no misalignment, contamination, or corrosiveness in your plumbing system.
- Installing a wrong size or improper fitting cam lock in your system can compromise the desired transmission and lead to leakages after installation.
- You should choose a matched combination of the suitable female coupler and male adapter. For example, you must get the exact size male adapter for a 2” Camlock coupling nominal size (female).
- Wrong-size couplings will lead to leakages in your system as they will lose after a few months due to the temperature and the pressure of the liquid in the system.
Different Materials and Designs of Cam Fittings
Camlocks are available in various materials and types to connect different pipes or hoses based on fluid compatibility. Some of the camlock materials you can choose from are –
- Aluminum – It is lightweight, durable, and has good corrosion resistance. With moderate temperature resistance, it is used in the water and petrol industries.
- Brass – Brass is heavier than aluminum and has good corrosion resistance and antimicrobial properties. It is commonly used to transfer water, oils, and coolants.
- Stainless steel – It is a heavy metal and has excellent corrosion resistance. The high-temperature resistance of this material makes it ideal for the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Polypropylene – These fittings are very lightweight and have good corrosion resistance. Due to their low-temperature resistance, they are used in the agricultural and water transport industries.
Camlock Fitting Designs
The Camlock designs are identified by a letter designated to determine the application and matching. The fittings are available in various design configurations from A to F, DC, and DP.
- Type A – Male cam with a female thread
- Type B – Female adapter with a male thread
- Type C – Hose shank or barbed coupling with a female cam
- Type D – Female cam with female thread
- Type E – Male coupler with hose shank
- Type F – Male adapter with male thread
- Type DC – Dust cup to cover the cam fittings
- Type DP – Dust plug to plug couplings
The Bottom Line
Camlock fittings are available in different materials, from 2” camlock or ½ camlock to 6-inch and 12-inch. Every material and cam size has its own operating pressure and thread type. Therefore, it is necessary to get suitable couplings for your system to avoid any kind of inconvenience. Ordering the wrong size camlock cannot form a secure system. Hence, you must ensure that the size and material of your cam fittings match the pipe size and fluid compatibility, respectively.