What is the difference between type A and type B camlock?


For rapid and secure fluid transfer, camlock hose fittings, otherwise referred to as camlock couplings or camlock hose connectors, are the preferred choice in industries such as agriculture, food processing, construction, and oil & gas. The ease of design enables hoses to be easily attached and detached in seconds without the need for tools for leak-free and effective operations.

But here's the twist: camlock couplings are of various types (A, B, C, D, E, F, DC, and DP) for use in specific applications. Type A and Type B camlock hose connectors are two of the most popular among them. It is very important to select the correct one for safety, compatibility, and durability.

This manual demystifies all you want to know about Type A vs. Type B camlock hose fittings, their use, and selecting the appropriate camlock hose coupling suitable for your industry requirements.

What Are Camlock Hose Fittings?

Camlock hose fittings, or cam and groove couplings, are tool-free quick-connect couplings used to connect pipes and hoses in a secure manner. Rather than using threaded systems or clamps, they utilize arms (cams) that engage and lock into position to form a tight seal to avoid leaks.

Some of the most important advantages are:

  • Time-saving: Tool-free connect/disconnect.

  • Leak-proof performance: Secure sealing for gases, liquids, and powders.

  • Versatility: In various sizes and materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, polypropylene, and brass.

  • Durability: Withstood high-pressure and corrosive conditions.

Due to these benefits, camlock hose connectors find widespread applications in anything from transferring fuel and chemicals to transporting water and foodstuff.

Types of Camlock Fittings

There are eight standard camlock coupling types: A, B, C, D, E, F, DC (dust cap), and DP (dust plug). Each has a specific application based on the hose or equipment connection.

We will deal specifically with Type A and Type B camlock couplings here, as they are two of the most common used in industrial and commercial processes.

Type A Camlock Fittings Explained

Type A camlock hose fittings are made of a male adapter and a female thread.

Features:

  • Design: Male adapter × Female thread

  • Material options: Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, polypropylene

  • Connection type: Threading into female-threaded components like pipes or tanks with ease

Common Applications:

  • Hoses to storage tanks connection

  • Fuel transfer systems

  • Chemical treatment plants and water plants

  • Agricultural sprayers and irrigation systems

Benefits:

  • Secure, strong threaded connection with quick camlock convenience

  • Leak-resistant, even under pressure

  • Flexible for use with a broad variety of equipment

In summary, Type A camlock fittings are the perfect choice whenever you want to attach a hose to a female-threaded connection such as a tank or fixed pipeline.

Type B Camlock Fittings Explained

Type B camlock hose fittings are basically the opposite of Type A. They have a female coupler joined to a male thread.

Features:

  • Design: Female coupler × Male thread

  • Material options: Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, polypropylene

  • Connection type: Connects hoses to pumps, valves, or threaded equipment

Common Applications:

  • Agriculture (connecting hoses to pumps)

  • Food & beverage (hygienic product transfer)

  • Construction (water delivery and dewatering)

  • General industrial use

Benefits:

  • Easy and rapid coupling for hose-to-equipment connections

  • Broad compatibility with other types of camlock hose couplings

  • Heavy-duty construction for robust environments

In short, Type B camlock fittings are ideal when you want to hook up a hose to male-threaded equipment or pump terminations directly.

Both are essential types of camlock hose couplings, but their threading direction and application point are what set them apart.

How to Choose the Right Camlock Hose Coupling

When you choose between Type A and Type B camlock hose connectors, the following factors should be taken into account:

  1. Type of Connection Needed

    • Do you need to mate with a pipeline or tank (Type A) or pump/equipment (Type B)?

  2. Material Selection

    • Stainless steel → Chemical and oil & gas corrosion resistance

    • Aluminum → Low weight and low cost (agriculture, building)

    • Polypropylene → Chemical resistance (industrial and water applications)

    • Brass → Ideal for fuel and water transmission

  3. Size Compatibility

    • Make sure the camlock and the hose/equipment are the same size (typically ½" to 6").

  4. Industry Standards

    • Check compliance with safety standards in your industry.

Using an authorized supplier makes your camlock hose fittings consistent, long-lasting, and suitable for your system.

Final Thoughts

Both Type A and Type B camlock hose fittings are a necessity in industries that depend on quick, secure, and leak-free connections.

  • Type A is your go-to when connecting hoses to female-threaded tanks or pipelines.

  • Type B is most suitable when connecting hoses to male-threaded pumps or equipment.

Knowing these differences means you choose the proper camlock hose coupling for efficiency, safety, and long-term reliability.

No matter whether you're in agriculture, oil & gas, food processing, or construction, investing in the proper camlock hose connectors from Proflow Dynamics can save you time, minimize downtime, and keep operations running smoothly.



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