This guide will provide a general overview of the full range of camlock couplings and their accessories. Its Purpose is to show the reader the various options available and to provide the necessary information needed to choose the correct fitting.

What is a Camlock Coupling?

A Camlock Fitting is a type of coupling that is used for connecting hoses and or pipes together that transfer liquids, powders and granules. A 'straight through' connection is made that maintains the pipe size and allows the free flow of material being transferred.

They are easy to operate by hand and require no tools to connect or to disconnect. Since they require no threads to connect the two halves of the mating pair together, they are able to operate in dirty environments. They are the most widely used coupling in the world, due to their ease of use, their versatility, and their cost effectiveness.

They are 'tailor made' for applications where routine hose changes are required and are also widely used to connect pipes or hoses to various pieces of equipment, like to a pump for example.

Types of Camlock Couplings

TYPE A

Male Cam with Female Thread

TYPE B

Female Cam with Male Thread

TYPE C

Female Cam with Hose Tail

TYPE D

Female Cam with Female Thread

TYPE E

Male Cam with Hose Tail

TYPE F

Male Cam with Male Thread

TYPE DC

Dust Cap for Male Cam

TYPE DP

Dust Plug for Female Cam

How do Camlocks Work?

It requires two parts of the coupling to make a connection, a male adapter and a female coupler.

  1. Place the same size male adapter into the female coupler (You may have to open the handles on the female cam).
  2. Close both arms/handles simultaneously (This ensures the male grooved cam makes a leak proof seal on the recessed gasket inside the female coupler.)
  3. To disconnect open the handles and remove the male adapter (Make sure there is no pressure build up in the line before dissembling.)

Why use Camlocks?

How to Select the right Camlock Fitting?

How to Measure the Size of a Camlock

The size of the camlock required is determined by the size of the threaded half or the hose shank half of the cam. This is referred to as the nominal size. For example if the thread or hose barb is 2", then the size of that camlock coupling' is 2".

One can also measure the camlock half, however this measurement is generally not used any more to identify the size of the camlock.

Camlock Measurements

Although Cam & Groove Couplers are now conveniently measured using the nominal size, that is, the size of the thread or hose barb, we have included the tradition way to measure the coupler/adapter portion.

Meaurements for the Adapter/Coupler portion of the Camlock:

Camlock SizeMale Outside DiameterFemale Inside Diameter
InchesInchesMillimetersInchesMillimeters
1/2"0.937" (15/16")23.8"0.970" (1")24.6"
3/4"1.26" (1-1/4")32.1"1.28" (1-5/16")32.4"
1"1.44" (1-7/16)36.7"1.47" (1-1/2")37.3"
1-1/2"2.1" (2-1/16")53.4"2.13" (2-1/8)54"
2"2.48" (2-1/2")63"2.51" (2-1/2")63.8"
2-1/2"2.992" (3")75.9"3.031" (3")76.9"
3"3.6" (3-5/8")91.5"3.63" (3-11/16")92.2"
4"4.7" (4-3/4")119.5"4.74" (4-3/4")120.3"
5"5.625 (5-5/8")142.8"5.664" (5-11/16)143.8"
6"6.92" (6-15/16")175.7"6.97" (7")177"

Pressure Ratings

The higher the temperature the more the pressure rating of the cam lock with reduce. Teflon (PTFE) gaskets will also reduce the pressure rating since they are so stiff. The pressure rating of polypropylene camlocks are reduced by around 40% at temperatures of 158°F or higher.

The Maximum Pressure Ratings for Camlock Couplings at Ambient Temperatures:

Size1/2"3/4"1”1-1/4”1-1/2”2”2-1/2”3”4”6”
Stainless Steel150 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI225 PS200 PSI100 PSI75 PSI
Aluminum150 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI150 PSI125 PSI100 PSI75 PSI
Brass150 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI250 PSI150 PSI125 PSI100 PSI75 PSI
Polypropylene125 PSI125 PSI125 PSI100 PSI100 PSI100 PSI-50 PSI50 PSI-

Temperature Ratings

It is generally the gasket that determines the temperature rating of the coupling. This is because the metal couplings are generally quite heat resistant and can withstand higher temperatures than the gaskets they are accompanied by. The exception to this is Polypropylene which can only handle about 158°F before its pressure rating is reduced.

The Temperature Ratings for the most common Elastomer Gaskets:

Gasket MaterialLow Temperature RatingHigh Temperature Rating
Buna Nitrile (Buna-N)-22°F212°F
EPDM-22°F248°F
Viton-5°F482°F
Silicone-58°F392°F

Camlock Material Composition

Cam & Groove Couplings come in a variety of materials each suited to various applications. Below are some useful advantages and common applications that will help you identify the correct material required for your particular application.

If you are transferring a corrosive chemical it can be useful to do a chemical compatibility chart reading for the camlock material as well as the gasket. (Click here: for a Compatibility Chart)

The Material Composition for the most common Cam & Groove Couplings:

Camlock Selection Guide (Type B or Type D)

There are multiple factors to consider when selecting the right coupling. For most applications all you will require is the size, material, whether you require a male or female thread or hose shank, and whether you need a male cam adapter or a female cam coupler.

● Camlock Type x Thread: Is it a Male or Female? A common way of describing these couplings is using the terms Male by Female or Female by Hose shank and so forth. To do this it is necesary to identify the type of cam required (Male or Female) as well as the thread (also Male or Female or potentially a hose shank). If you have both the camlock portion and the thread portion identified it will be alot easier to communicate what camlock type you require. For example if you need to connect to a male camlock (then you will need a female cam) and if the thread portion needs to thread into a female thread (then you will need a male thread). So in effect you will need a Female Camlock x Male Thread (Type B).

● Size: The size of the thread or hose will determin the size of the Camlock required. A 2" thread or 2" hose will indicate you require a 2" Cam. The 2" will be represented as "200" in the part number. (See Selection chart below for all sizes and their part number conversions.)

● Material: The most common material required are the 3 metals and 1 plastic mentioned above. Their abbreviations used in the part numbers are as follows: Aluminum (AL), Stainless Steel (SS), Brass (BR) and Polypropylene (PP).

Camlock Type Selection Guide:

Camlock Type Selection Guide

Where are Camlock Couplings used?

Due to their versatility Cam & Groove Couplings are used in almost any industry that uses liquids or powders. These multiple industries most notably include manufacturing, fuel & oil, gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, food & beverage, cleaning, paints (inks and dyes), military installations and within agriculture.

Camlock Production Method

Stainless Steel: Investment cast in 304 and 316, can be polished for sanitary applications.

Aluminum: Gravity die cast, can be anodized for military applications.

Brass: Forged sizes ½” up to 3”, 4” and above are sand cast.

● Polypropylene: manufactured with fiberglass re-enforced Polypropylene which is acid resistant.

Manufacturing Standards for Camlocks

Federal Standard A-A-59326 (Previously Mil Spec: Mil-C-27487)

Cam & Groove Couplings are manufactured according to the Federal Standard A-A-59326. Before this supersession they were manufactured according to the US military specification Mil-C-27487, which outlined the dimensions and casting methods to be used, the pressure ratings and tolerances to be adhered to and the inspection procedures to be followed. The Mil Spec Mil-C-27487 ensured the compatibility of products from different manufacturers.

Mil-C-2487 is now obsolete and replaced by A-A59326. Like its predecessor the Federal Standard A-A-59326 guarantees the interchangeability with other Couplings also manufactured according to the correct standard. Our Couplings are manufactured according to the dimensions and tolerances of A-A-59326/Mil-C-2487 and are pressure tested beyond the recommended working pressures to ensure they confirm to the approved pressure ratings.

The European Standard (EN 14420-7)

The EN 14420-7, European Standard came into effect in September 2004 and worked in conjunction with the American Standard outlined above. The American military standard only applies to the coupling side of the camlock and not to the hose connection/thread connection side.

The European standard interchanges with camlocks produced to the original Mil Spec Mil-C-27487, where they differ are in the connection side like the thread and hose shank design. A smooth hose barb that complies with the European standard EN 14420-7 as well as to the German standard DIN 2828, has been added to assemble with RK safety clamps that comply with EN 14420-3 and DIN 2817. Also a flat thread seal has been added to the female thread portion of the camlock.

Are Camlock Fittings Interchangeable?

Since Camlocks are all made to the same standard they are interchangeable with other brands regardless of where they are manufactured. There are exceptions, most notably the 1/2”, 5” and 8”. The Military Specification A-A59326A does not apply to the sizes 5” and 8”, since there are two versions available.

The ½” also have two versions, one found in the U.S and the other that Europe and Australia follows. The European version has a thinner “lip” on the male adapter portion. What this translates to practically is that the US female camlock version will accept the European Male camlocks, however the fit will be loose and it will be 'easy' to close the arms of the female cam. The European Female camlocks will not accept the US Male camlocks as the lip will be too think for the arms to close. (** We believe the ¾” also follow the ½” in this dual version available)

In the 8” camlocks there are the PTK and the NAE versions available: