Camlock Coupling Types: A Complete Guide to A, B, C, D, E, F, DC and DP
Cam and groove couplings look identical at a glance — until you order the wrong letter. Type A through DP aren’t sizes or materials; each letter defines what’s on the non-cam end of the fitting. This guide breaks down every standard camlock type, what it connects to, and how to order the right one the first time.
What Is a Camlock Coupling?
A camlock coupling is a two-part, tool-free quick-connect fitting for hoses and pipes. It’s also called a cam and groove coupling, a cam lock fitting, or a Kamlok-style coupling. One half is the male adapter (the grooved plug), the other is the female coupler (the socket with two pivoting cam arms). Push the adapter into the coupler and close both arms: the cams catch the groove and pull the halves together, compressing the gasket into a leak-proof seal. The whole connection takes about three seconds.
No threads, no tools, no cross-threading risk. That’s why camlocks are the most widely used quick-disconnect coupling in the world for agriculture, chemical transfer, fuel delivery, dewatering, food processing and marine applications.
How the Type System Works
Every camlock type is a combination of two ends:
- The cam end — male (adapter: A, E, F, DP) or female (coupler: B, C, D, DC). Any male type mates with any female type of the same nominal size.
- The connection end — male NPT thread, female NPT thread, hose shank (barb), or closed end.
The letter tells you both. Once that clicks, the system stops being confusing.
Camlock Coupling Types Chart
| Type | Cam End | Connection End | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | Male adapter | Female NPT thread | Screws onto a male-threaded pump outlet or pipe nipple, presents a male cam end |
| Type B | Female coupler | Male NPT thread | Screws into a female-threaded equipment port, presents a female cam socket |
| Type C | Female coupler | Hose shank (barb) | Clamps onto flexible hose — the most common hose-end coupler |
| Type D | Female coupler | Female NPT thread | Screws onto male-threaded pipe or tank outlet, presents a female cam socket |
| Type E | Male adapter | Hose shank (barb) | Clamps onto flexible hose — the most common hose-end adapter |
| Type F | Male adapter | Male NPT thread | Screws into female-threaded ports — the rarest of the six |
| Type DC | Female coupler | Closed end | Dust cap: fits over a male adapter to keep it clean |
| Type DP | Male adapter | Closed end | Dust plug: fits into a female coupler to keep it clean |
Thread standards: NPT is standard in North America; BSPT is common in UK/Europe/Asia. Always confirm thread type with your supplier — a 2” NPT camlock and a 2” BSPT camlock are not interchangeable.
Which Camlock Types Connect Together?
The cam interface is universal across manufacturers, but the gender must match. Male adapters (A, E, F) mate with female couplers (B, C, D, DC) of the same size. Dust caps (DC) fit over male adapters; dust plugs (DP) fit into female couplers.
The most common pairings in real systems:
| Setup | Pairing |
|---|---|
| Pump outlet (male thread) → hose | Type A on pump + Type C on hose — the workhorse combination |
| Tank/vessel outlet (male thread) → hose | Type D on tank + Type E on hose |
| Threaded equipment port (female thread) → hose | Type B on port + Type C on hose |
| Hose-to-hose joining | Type E on one hose + Type C on the other |
| Capping unused ends | Type DC dust cap on adapters, Type DP dust plug in couplers |
Pro tip: A 2” Type A from one manufacturer seals perfectly with a 2” Type D from another — as long as both are made to the same standard. This interchangeability is the point of the system.
DC and DP: The Protective Pair
Type DC (dust cap) and Type DP (dust plug) do one job: protect disconnected ends from dirt, debris and insects that would cause leaks on the next connection.
- DC dust cap — female coupler with a closed end. Snaps over a Type A, E or F adapter.
- DP dust plug — male adapter with a solid closed end. Plugs into a Type B, C or D coupler.
⚠️ DC and DP are NOT pressure-rated. They seal open ends for storage and transport only. For pressure-testing a closed line, use a threaded blanking plug behind a Type B or D coupler.
Materials: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Polypropylene
Material choice drives pressure rating, chemical compatibility and price:
| Material | Strength | Best For | Working Pressure (¾”–2”) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Light, good balance of cost/performance | Water transfer, fuel, general industrial | 250 psi |
| Stainless Steel 316 | Highest corrosion resistance, hygienic | Chemical, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, marine | 250 psi |
| Brass | Good machinability, marine-grade options | Water, fuel, general industrial | 250 psi |
| Polypropylene | Chemically inert, cheapest, light | Agricultural chemicals, water, drainage | 100 psi |
⚠️ Never mix materials in one connection. A polypropylene coupler on an aluminum adapter can fail under pressure because of the tensile strength difference. Use the same material on both halves.
304 vs 316 Stainless Steel
304 (18% chromium, 8% nickel) handles less aggressive environments. 316 adds 2–3% molybdenum for superior resistance to chlorides, acids and salt — the right choice for marine, pharmaceutical and food-contact service. For most industrial camlock applications, 316 is the standard buyers specify.
Pressure Ratings at a Glance
Camlock couplings are low-to-medium pressure fittings. Working pressure drops as size increases and as temperature rises (derating applies above ambient with elastomeric gaskets; polypropylene’s max working temperature is 158°F, above which ratings drop by a further 40%).
| Material | ½” | ¾”–2” | 2½” | 3” | 4” | 5”–6” |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass | 150 psi | 250 psi | 150 psi | 125 psi | 100 psi | 75 psi |
| Aluminum | 150 psi | 250 psi | 150 psi | 125 psi | 100 psi | 75 psi |
| Stainless 316 | 150 psi | 250 psi | 225 psi | 200 psi | 100 psi | 100 psi |
| Polypropylene | 75 psi | 100 psi | — | 50 psi | — | — |
Gasket type matters too: standard elastomeric (Buna-N/EPDM) ratings above; PTFE gaskets reduce pressure ratings.
Standards: Why Any Camlock Fits Any Camlock
Camlocks are interchangeable because they’re built to published specifications:
- A-A-59326 (US federal, formerly MIL-C-27487) — dimensions, tolerances, materials, pressure ratings, casting methods and inspection procedures
- EN 14420-7 / DIN 2828 (Europe) — hose fittings with cam locking system
Buy from a supplier who states compliance openly. That’s your guarantee that a coupler from one maker accepts an adapter from another.
How to Choose the Right Camlock Coupling
- Measure the hose bore, not the outside. Camlock sizes refer to nominal hose/pipe bore (e.g., a 2” camlock clamps onto 2” hose). A 2” coupler will NOT accept a 1½” adapter.
- Pick the connection end. Hose? Type C or E (hose shank). Male thread? Type A or D. Female thread? Type B or F.
- Match the material to the media. Chemicals → SS316 or PP. Food → SS316. Water/fuel → aluminum or brass.
- Verify pressure and temperature. Your system’s max working pressure (including spikes) must stay under the rating at your operating temperature.
- Confirm thread standard. NPT vs BSPT — get it wrong and nothing threads on.
- Always pair male-to-female. Male adapters mate with female couplers only, same size.
From our quote desk, roughly one in five camlock orders comes back with the wrong letter on the box. Most are Type C/E mix-ups on hose ends or an NPT/BSPT mismatch nobody checked. Send us a photo of what you’re connecting to and we’ll confirm the type before you commit.
FAQ
Can I connect camlocks from different manufacturers? Yes — if both halves are made to A-A-59326 / EN 14420-7, they’re dimensionally interchangeable regardless of brand.
Why is my camlock leaking at the connection? Check the gasket is present, clean and compatible with your fluid. Make sure the adapter is fully seated and both arms are closed evenly.
Can I mix camlock materials? Sometimes, but the assembly is limited by its least compatible material and rating. Safest rule: same material on both halves.
Are DC/DP caps pressure-rated? No. They protect disconnected ends from contamination — they are not for capping pressurised lines.
Can camlocks be used for compressed air or steam? No. Cam and groove couplings must not be used for compressed air, gas or steam service.
Do I need safety pins? Female couplers come standard with safety pins that lock the handles. They’re not needed under normal conditions but add security on vibration-prone or high-value connections.
Get the Right Type, First Time
Ordering the wrong camlock type is the single most common mistake in hose systems — and the most expensive. Tell us your application (media, hose size, thread type, pressure) and we’ll confirm the exact type, material and size before you order. OEM and custom marking available.
Send your inquiry with: coupling type · size · material · connection method · application · quantity — we reply within 24 hours.