Camlock Types Explained: A Practical Guide
Trying to get water from point A to point B but your pump and hoses won't connect? Choosing the wrong fitting can bring your entire operation to a halt. For any professional in agriculture, water transfer, or industrial pumping, understanding the camlock system is non-negotiable. This practical guide to camlock types explained will demystify the entire system, ensuring you get the right part the first time, every time.
Quick Answer
Camlock fittings use a simple letter system (A, B, C, D, E, F) for the primary connection types and two more (DC, DP) for caps and plugs. Male fittings are called adapters (Types A, E, F) and female fittings are called couplers (Types B, C, D). The letter determines what is on the other end: male threads, female threads, or a hose shank. For most water transfer and irrigation jobs, 2-inch polypropylene camlock fittings are the industry standard due to their excellent value and performance.
Use our camlock fitting finder. It's free and easy to use.
What Are Camlock Fittings?
Camlock fittings, also known as cam and groove couplings, are a brilliantly simple and effective way to connect and disconnect hoses and pipes quickly without tools. A "male adapter" is inserted into a "female coupler," and two levers (cams) on the coupler are closed to create a secure, leak-proof seal. This design is essential in environments where speed and reliability are critical, such as connecting and disconnecting pumps, tankers, and large-capacity irrigation lines. Their robust design makes them a staple in demanding industrial applications.
The Core Camlock Fitting Types Explained
The camlock system is based on eight standard types. Understanding how they pair is the key to building any fluid transfer setup. A male adapter can only connect to a female coupler of the same size. The letter simply designates the type of connection on the back of the fitting.
Type A: Male Adapter x Female Thread
A Type A fitting has a male camlock groove on one side and female NPT (National Pipe Taper) threads on the other. This is the go-to fitting for adding a male camlock connection to a pump, valve, or pipe that terminates in male threads. You simply screw the Type A fitting onto the male pipe threads.
Type B: Female Coupler x Male Thread
A Type B fitting has a female camlock coupler with locking arms on one side and male NPT threads on the other. It's used to add a female camlock connection to a component with female threads. For example, you could screw a Type B into a pump's female-threaded port, allowing a male camlock adapter on a hose to connect directly to it.
Type C: Female Coupler x Hose Shank
A Type C fitting is one of the most common types. It features a female camlock coupler on one end and a barbed hose shank on the other. The hose is pushed onto the shank and secured with a hose clamp. This is the standard way to terminate a hose with a female camlock connection, ready to receive a male adapter from a pump or another hose.
Type D: Female Coupler x Female Thread
A Type D fitting has a female camlock coupler on one side and female NPT threads on the other. It is most often used to connect a male-threaded fitting or a hose with male-threaded ends to a male camlock adapter. It's less common than a Type B but essential when you need to adapt male threads to a female camlock opening. For instance, you could thread it onto the end of a hose that has a male threaded fitting already attached.
Type E: Male Adapter x Hose Shank
A Type E fitting is the counterpart to the Type C. It has a male camlock adapter on one end and a barbed hose shank on the other. This is the standard way to terminate a hose with a male camlock adapter, allowing it to plug into a Type C, B, or D coupler. Most hose assemblies will have a Type E on one end and a Type C on the other.
Type F: Male Adapter x Male Thread
A Type F fitting has a male camlock adapter on one side and male NPT threads on the other. It looks similar to a Type A, but with male threads instead of female. This is the standard fitting for connecting to a pump or valve that has female threads. For example, if your pump outlet has 2" female NPT threads, you would screw in a 2" Type F adapter to create a male camlock connection point for your discharge hose.
Specialty Camlock Types (DC & DP)
Beyond the six primary connection types, two additional types exist solely for capping and plugging the system to keep it clean and prevent spills.
Type DC: Dust Cap
The Type DC is a female camlock coupler with a closed end. It has no threads or hose shank. Its only job is to fit over a male adapter (Type A, E, or F) to keep dirt, debris, and insects out of the system. It also prevents any residual fluid from dripping out during transport or storage.
Type DP: Dust Plug
The Type DP is a male camlock adapter with a solid, closed end. It has no threads or hose shank. It functions as a plug that is inserted into any female coupler (Type B, C, or D) to seal the opening. This is crucial for keeping pump inlets/outlets or hose ends clean and protected.
Camlock Fitting Types Chart
| Type | Gender | Connection 1 | Connection 2 | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | Male | Male Adapter | Female Thread | Connecting to a male threaded pipe or pump outlet. |
| Type B | Female | Female Coupler | Male Thread | Connecting to a female threaded pipe or pump inlet. |
| Type C | Female | Female Coupler | Hose Shank | Putting a female connection on the end of a hose. |
| Type D | Female | Female Coupler | Female Thread | Connecting to a male threaded hose end or fitting. |
| Type E | Male | Male Adapter | Hose Shank | Putting a male connection on the end of a hose. |
| Type F | Male | Male Adapter | Male Thread | Connecting to a female threaded coupling or pump inlet. |
| Type DC | Female | Female Coupler | Closed End | Capping a male adapter to keep it clean. |
| Type DP | Male | Male Adapter | Closed End | Plugging a female coupler to keep it clean. |
How to Choose the Right Camlock Fitting
With a clear understanding of what each type does, selecting the right one is a simple, four-step process.
Step 1: Identify Your Endpoints
First, look at what you're connecting. Is it the end of a bare hose? Is it a pump with male threads? Is it a valve with female threads? This determines the "back" side of the camlock fitting you need (hose shank, male thread, or female thread).
Step 2: Choose Adapter (Male) or Coupler (Female)
Decide if you need to plug into something (male adapter) or receive something (female coupler). For a hose assembly that connects to a pump, you'll typically put a male adapter on one end (e.g., Type E) to go into the pump, and a female coupler on the other end (e.g., Type C) to connect to another hose.
Step 3: Select Your Material and Size
For water, light-duty chemicals, and irrigation, polypropylene is the undisputed king. It's lightweight, immune to rust, and incredibly cost-effective. While stainless steel is available for food-grade or corrosive chemical use, it's overkill for most water applications. The most common size by a wide margin is 2-inch, as it provides the best balance of high flow rate and manageable hose weight.
Real-World Use Case: Setting Up a Transfer Pump
Imagine you have a trash pump with a 2-inch male NPT threaded inlet and a 2-inch male NPT threaded outlet. You need to connect a 2-inch suction hose and a 2-inch discharge hose. Here is the most common and practical setup:
- On the pump's outlet: Screw on a 2" Type A adapter (Male Cam x Female NPT). Your pump now has a male camlock connection ready for the discharge hose.
- On your discharge hose: Attach a 2" Type C coupler (Female Cam x Hose Shank) to the end of the hose and secure it with a hose clamp. Now you can instantly connect and disconnect your discharge hose from the pump.
- On the pump's inlet: Screw on another 2" Type A adapter.
- On your suction hose: Attach a 2" Type C coupler. Now your suction hose also connects right to the pump.
- For storage: When done, cap the Type A adapters on the pump with Type DC dust caps and plug the Type C couplers on the hoses with Type DP dust plugs to keep the whole system clean.
For the most common water transfer and irrigation setups, having a good supply of versatile fittings is key. Our collection of 2-inch poly camlock fittings provides the cost-effective, reliable connections you need for nearly any job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you connect different brands of camlock fittings together?
Yes, in almost all cases. As long as the fittings are manufactured to the same standard (the current one is A-A-59326D), they are fully interchangeable regardless of brand or material. A 2-inch aluminum Type A will seal perfectly with a 2-inch poly Type D.
What is the difference between a Type A and a Type F camlock?
Both are male adapters, but they have opposite threading. A Type A has female threads, designed to screw onto a male-threaded pipe. A Type F has male threads, designed to screw into a female-threaded port or coupling.
What camlock type do I need for a hose?
To put a fitting on the end of a bare hose, you need a fitting with a hose shank. Your two choices are the Type C (which gives you a female coupler) and the Type E (which gives you a male adapter). Most general-purpose hoses will have one of each.
Why are 2-inch poly camlocks so common?
They hit the sweet spot for performance and cost. The 2-inch size allows for high flow rates (GPM) without the hose becoming excessively heavy or difficult to handle. Polypropylene (poly) is cheap, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion and many agricultural chemicals, making it the perfect material for an overwhelming majority of water and dewatering applications.
How do I know what size camlock I need?
The size refers to the nominal inside diameter of the fitting. The easiest way is to measure the thread size on your pump or existing equipment. For hoses, the size is typically printed on the side of the hose. If you are starting fresh for water transfer, 2-inch is almost always the right choice.
Ready to get the right parts for the job? Shop 2-inch Poly Camlock Fittings now and get the reliable, cost-effective fittings used by professionals.