A Complete Guide to Camlock Fittings

Cam and groove fittings, also known as camlocks, are adapters that connect various pipes or hoses together. These fittings feature a wide variety of male and female, threaded or adapter ends. Each camlock can also be made from various material that best suit the specific application. This is a complete guide to the sizing, material and fitting details of cam and groove fittings.

Different Types of Camlock Fittings

There are eight main types of camlocks, categorized A-F with DC and DP being exceptions. The naming convention of DC and DP stand for 'dust cap' and 'dust plug' respectively. They are used to provide cover to the camlock when it is not in use, to avoid contaminents infiltrating your plumbing system.

The other six cam and groove adapters are split by the connections that each offer.

• Type A Camlock: Male Grooved x Female Threaded

• Type B Camlock: Female Grooved x Male Threaded

• Type C Camlock: Hose Shank x Female Grooved

• Type D Camlock: Female Grooved x Female Threaded

• Type E Camlock: Hose Shank x Male Grooved

• Type F Camlock: Male Threaded x Male Grooved

• Type DC Camlock: Female Grooved

• Type DP Camlock: Male Grooved

Aluminum vs. Brass vs. Stainless Steel in Camlock Fittings

Aluminum camlock fittings offer very strong resistance to corrosion and oxidization through the natural build-up of aluminum oxide along it's surface. It's low-density makes the aluminum fittings lighter than their counterparts of brass and stainless. Aluminum fittings are also a more cost-effective solution when dealing with a tighter budget.

Brass camlock fittings have a high tensile strength, making them more resilient than the aluminum fittings. Brass also has very good corrosion resistance and can be used in harsher applications like when dealing with seawater. Due to brass being a rarer metal, it is typically the most expensive of the three options.

Stainless steel camlock fittings are the strongest of the three materials, and provide impact resistance with performance in higher-pressure applications. Stainless also has excellent corrosion resistance that is better than both aluminum and brass. Their better performance does mean that these fittings are typically your most expensive to purchase.

How Sizing Works with Camlock Fittings

When choosing the correct size of cam and groove adapter, first determine if you are looking for a male or female connection. For the male connection, you will use the outer diameter of either the threads or adapter. For the female connection, you will use the inner diameter of either the threads or adapter. These connection sizes, or nominal sizes, are typically done using 1/4 inch measurements. Meaning you will see sizes like 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", ect.

Adapters all follow a similar length, width and height measurement. However, there can be differences between manufacturers that allow for a better fit to your project. Shop around and be mindful of the dimensional measurements in addition to the ID or OD needed for the fitting.

Quick Recap of Camlock Fittings

There are eight main types being A,B,C,D,E,F,DC & DP. Each fitting offers a different set of either threaded or adapter connections.

The three main camlock materials are aluminum, brass and stainless steel. Aluminum is lightweight, cheapest and offers good corrosion resistance. Brass is fairly strong, moderately expensive and offers ok corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is very strong, very resistant and the more expensive option.

Sizing camlocks and fittins works by measuring the nominal size needed for the pipe or hose. Either the inner or outer diameter will be used, not the size of the entire fitting itself.

To see FTSR's selection of cam and groove adapters, click this link. We offer stainless steel, aluminum and brass fittings in a variety of sizes. Designed and tested to provide optimal connection and performance across a variety of industries.