What is the purpose of a hose coupler?

Connector on the end of a hose

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A selection of Storz hose couplings

A hose coupling is a connector on the end of a hose to connect (or couple) it with another hose or with a tap or a hose appliance, such as an irrigation sprinkler. It is usually made of steel, brass, stainless steel, aluminium or plastic.

Due to the great variety of the designs and the number of countries in which they were created, it is difficult to trace the origin of many. Patents that cover designs similar to those below include:

• : Hose-coupling, No. 175,232.[1]
• Coupling for hose and pipe. US A[2]
• : Coupling. US A[3]
• : Coupling. US A[4] (claw-types)

Threaded coupler types

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Garden hose thread

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See Garden hose thread. See also Hoselink and Hozelock plastic click-on connectors.

GFR

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NF E 29-579 GFR

Ground joint

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A "boss" ground joint coupling valve hose coupling, primarily used for compressed air or steam. It consists of a stem, wing nut and spud. It seals as a soft copper seat located in the spud is drawn against the stem by tightening the wing nut.

Holedall

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Holedall (a.k.a. Mulconry, Scovill, or Rostra) dock hose couplings are built to the BS EN : "Rubber hose assemblies for oil suction and discharge services Specification for the assemblies", commonly known as dock hoses.[5]

These are internally swaged hose couplings and commonly found on larger diameter fuel oil hoses used in higher pressure applications or where the hose is exposed to higher end pull, e.g., Oil Suction & Discharge (OS&D) hose).[6] They are installed with special hydraulic ram machinery and special dies.

Holedall IX internally expanded (internally swaged) hose coupling is used in higher pressure applications, or where the hose is exposed to higher end pull, or where a full flow is required.[6] They are installed with special hydraulic drawbar machinery, using special pull plugs.

NH

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Side view of a 1.5 to 2.5 inches (38 to 64 mm) adapter

National Hose thread (NH), also known as National Standard Thread (NST). It is the most common type of fire hose coupling used in the United States. The male and female straight (non-tapered) threads screw together and the connection is sealed with a gasket.

The type of threaded coupling with a pin-lug swivel used on fire hoses was first manufactured prior to in the U.S.:

• Unknown patent by Charles W. Emery, dated July 11, ,
• : Hose-couplings, No. 149,029 by W. A. Caswell
• : Hose-couplings, No. 149,441 by W. A. Caswell, describes a method of casting the hose tail inside the coupler, so that it can pivot but not be detached.[7]
• : Hose-coupling, No. 175,232.[1]

UNI

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UNI Fire Fittings are used in Italy, and available in several sizes, including UNI 25, UNI 45, and UNI 70.

Non-threaded gendered coupler types

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Camlock

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A camlock, also called cam and groove, is a quick connect fluid transfer hose coupling that consists of a male "adapter" and female "coupler". The adapter has a groove on the outside that is engaged by the "cam arms" on the outside of the coupler to effect a seal against the gasket inside the "coupler". They are commonly used for petroleum or chemical applications. Specified by Mil-C- / A-A-A / EN -7 / DIN .

Perrot Cardan coupling

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Similar in appearance to Bauer couplings, but not compatible with them. Used in agricultural, irrigation, cleaning, and construction industries, but most commonly for water, mortar, bitumen, and bulk products.

British instantaneous coupling

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Auxiliary Fireman Bernard Hailstone attaches a hose to a fire hydrant, somewhere in London, c. - D.

Also called John Morris Coupling, BS336 Instantaneous fire couplings are similar in design to the camlock fittings, and are used by; UK, Irish, New Zealand, Indian & Hong Kong fire brigades. They are available in two sizes: 1+1&#;2-inch INST (FETA, only available with 38 mm hose tails) and 2+1&#;2-inch INST (BS336).

Hozelock-compatible garden hose couplers (Gardena brand)

Hozelock

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In [8] Hozelock Ltd in the United Kingdom invented and patented the international standard plastic, click-on style, push-fit hose end connector now used with garden hoses. The concept was developed to replace metal hose end connectors in coal mines, which were prone to cause static sparks and the possibility of methane gas explosions. All-metal versions of the connector (and compatible with the plastic versions) are now in common use for garden hoses. The system is now universally used by gardeners throughout the world. The Hozelock brand adapters are typically available with BSP threads. There are two different sizes of the connectors available, with the larger one being rare and mainly used on +3&#;4-inch hoses.

Perrot-brand Bauer-style hose couplings

Leverlock

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A cam and lock-like coupler, used in the agricultural industry. Also known by the brand names of manufacturers, including Bauer, Perrot, and Miller/Ferrari. Available in sizes ranging from 2-inch to 12-inch.

Machino

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A Japanese quick connect and disconnect coupling used on fire hoses in Japan and defined by JIS B;[9] available in several sizes: 25A (1-inch), 40A (1+1&#;2-inch), 50A (2+1&#;2-inch), 65A (2" ), 75A (3-inch).

Tankwagen flange couplings

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A.k.a. TW couplings, or tanker couplings, these were originally defined by DIN , but are now specified by EN ISO -6. The couplings are widely used in the petrochemical, chemical, and food industries.

Quick-connect garden hose couplings

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A variety of manufacturers sell the same style quick-connect garden hose coupling. The design is similar in concept to the plastic Hozelock design, in that the female coupling has a spring-loaded outside barrel that locks onto the male coupling, but both couplers are usually made of brass and the male coupling lacks the rubber O-ring found on the Hozelock couplers.

Non-threaded genderless coupler types

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Many of these couplings are of the so-called "claw" type. Some of the information below has been taken from commercial product catalogs and specifications.[10][11][12][13]

Air King

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The "Air King"[14] universal air hose coupling, also known as a "Chicago style" fitting, is malleable iron or brass "quarter turn" "sexless coupling" usually found on large pneumatic tools like jackhammers.[6] The fitting is considered "universal", because a common two-lug head is used on all sizes ranging from 0.25 to 1 inch (6 to 25 mm).

Barcelona

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Spanish fire hose coupling

This coupling is used by Spanish firefighters, and is defined by Spanish Standard UNE .[15] It is a sexless coupling with three engaging lugs, and is available in several different sizes, including Barcelona 25 (25 mm hose ID), Barcelona 45 (45 mm hose ID), and Barcelona 70 (70 mm hose ID).

Suitable for delivery (pressure) only, not suction.

DSP hose coupling

DSP

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A French hose coupling, compatible with Guillemin couplings, but used for different purposes. Conforms to NF S61-704 and NF S61-705. Available in the following sizes:

• DSP ND 40 Suitable for delivery (pressure) only, not suction.
• DSP ND 65 Suitable for delivery (pressure) only, not suction.
• AR ND 100 Suitable for delivery (pressure) and suction.

European air coupling

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Defined by DIN , DIN (combines DIN , , , , and ), and DIN (with hole for safety clip), these look similar to Express and Geka couplings, but have a 42 mm distance between the claws.

Express coupling

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Express coupling

Very similar in appearance to GEKA couplings, but not compatible with them, because Express couplings have a 41 mm distance between the claws. These are defined by NF E 29-573. Used for both water and air.

Forestry coupling

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Developed by the Canada Metal Company for the Canadian wildfire firefighters in to overcome issues of snagging and water volume loss associated with the smaller-diameter Storz couplings, these couplings are now specified for use by Canadian, U.S., and Australian wildland fire departments.[16] The coupling design is specified by CAN/ULC-S551-13 (25 mm and 38 mm forged couplers), CAN/ULC-S558-13 (25 mm and 38 mm non-forged couplers), and ULC/CAN-S574 (64 mm forged couplers), as well as USFDA -192 (US Forest Service) and available for use with 19 mm, 25 mm, 38 mm, and 64 mm hose sizes. Note that Wajax Manufacturing submitted a competing design, but was not selected, so referring to these fittings as "Ajax couplers" is incorrect.

Geka steam hose coupling

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This is a sexless quarter-turn bayonet hose coupler, originally manufactured by the Karasto company distinguishable by the gasket profile, which has a flat outer ring enclosing a domed middle section, as well as the distance between the claws being 40 mm. Sometimes called a "swift quick release coupling" or "claw coupling". This is based on the design of the Giersberg fire extinguisher coupling[17] (predecessor to the Storz coupling), and was developed by Julius Oehler in the late s, and was patented in . The name GEKA is formed from the combination of Giersberg and Karasto.[18][19] These couplings are used mostly for gardening and irrigation, but New Zealand uses them for some wildland fire fighting.[20]

GOST

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A sexless coupling, a.k.a. Bogdan coupler,[21] used on fire hoses in Russia and defined by GOST R -, available in several sizes, including DN 25, DN 40, DN 50, DN 65, DN 70, DN 80, DN 100, DN 125, and DN 150.[22][23]

Guillemin symmetrical clutch

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Brass Guillemin coupling

The Guillemin symmetrical clutch, also called Guillemin coupling, is widely used in France and in Belgium to couple hoses and resembles a DSP coupling, which is used in firefighting. It can be fastened by hand, but it is also possible to use a tricoise wrench. It has quarter-turn closing and is sexless (symmetrical). It may be fabricated from aluminum, stainless steel, brass or polypropylene. The standard for this kind of coupling is EN-8/NF E 29-572, and there is a special standard DIN-8 for unique assemblies with ferrule and safety clamp.

45 mm and 70 mm diameter fire hoses, with Guillemin couplings installed

Guillemin couplings are available in the following sizes (unit: mm):

• Guillemin 20
• Guillemin 25
• Guillemin 40
• Guillemin 50
• Guillemin 60
• Guillemin 65
• Guillemin 80
• Guillemin 100
• Guillemin 150

Hoselink

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Hose link is a 1/4-turn bayonet-mount garden hose connection, which uses an o-ring to o-ring seal. It was designed by Hoselink, Pty, Ltd., Australia,[24] and patented in .[25] It is popular in Australia, with limited distribution in the UK and the US, where it is distributed by Dayco Products, Inc.

Nakajima

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A quarter-turn, sexless coupling used on fire hoses in Japan, defined by JIS F-, and available in several sizes, including: JIS 40A, JIS 50A, and JIS 65A.

Norway uses NOR fittings for attack hoses. They come in three sizes: NOR 1 (83 or 84 mm; 2+1&#;2-inch), NOR 2 (65 or 66 mm; 2"), and NOR 3 (50 or 55 mm; 1+1&#;2-inch). NOR 2 is mostly used in the maritime and offshore oil industry.

Nunan and Stove

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A UK fire hose fitting, used mostly by the Ministry of Defence, available in the following sizes: N&S 1+1&#;2-inch, N&S 2-inch, N&S 2+1&#;2-inch, and N&S 3-inch.

ROTTA 3-lugs

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A Russian coupling similar in appearance to Barcelona fittings, available in two sizes: Rotta 50 and Rotta 70.

SFS

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Finnish firehose

Finnish SFS couplers are similar to GEKA couplers, and come in three diameters, DN 50, DN 80 and DN 100, with each being offered with a range of hose tail diameters, including 13 mm to 52 mm for the DN 50 size, 65 mm and 75 mm for the DN 80 size, 102 mm and 110 mm for the DN 100 size.

SMS 63 FORM

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Short for Swedish Metric Standard, this Swedish hose coupling is available in two sizes: SMS 32 and SMS 63.

Storz

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Storz connection on a standpipe

A Storz coupling is a quarter-turn or sexless coupling, commonly used to connect to fire hydrants. It is easy to connect, has no particular male or female end, and lugs are on the inside of the joint. This is the standard coupling on fire hoses in Denmark, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Greece.[26] It is also widely used in Australia. It can be manufactured by casting for general hose connection and low pressure applications, but for firefighting, it is better to use forgings to guarantee the safety and durability of the coupling.

Storz couplings are available in several sizes, supporting hoses with an internal diameter of between 12 and 250 mm, and are specified by DIN standards , , , and (hose couplings); DIN standards , , , and (threaded adapters); DIN standards , , and (swivel reducers); and DIN standards , , , and (caps).

First patented: Switzerland, Patent No. 3,134, published November 26,

U.S. patent: US A published Jan 3, [27]

Flanged couplings

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Tri-clamp connection

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Stainless steel tri-clamp fittings create a quick clamp union for sanitary, leak proof connections. Completed with clamp and gasket to mate the two ends. Clamp connections can be secured without the use of tools when using wing nut style clamps. Primarily utilized in food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

Specified by DIN / SMS / RJT BS: / IDF.

ISC International Shore Connection

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A defined flange that can have any of several of the above couplers installed.

Miscellaneous

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Safety clamps

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Specified by EN -3 / DIN , and also specified by EN -5 / DIN .

Wire fittings

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BS : specifies how to use wire to attach hose couplings to layflat hoses.

See also

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References

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If you&#;re a homeowner or a gardener, you know that a reliable garden hose is essential for maintaining a beautiful lawn and garden. And when it comes to connecting your hose to a water source or accessories, garden hose couplings are an essential component. In this article, we&#;ll take a closer look at garden hose couplings and tell you everything you need to know about them, from how they&#;re designed to how to properly care for them.

What Are Garden Hose Couplings?

Garden hose couplings are used to connect a garden hose to a water source or accessory, or to join two pieces of garden hose together. Garden hose couplings are also referred to as garden hose fittings or connectors, which is perfectly acceptable. However, the term &#;fittings&#; technically refers to the individual components that make up a garden hose coupling, while &#;coupling&#; refers to the entire assembly. For the following in-depth description of garden hose couplings, we&#;ll be using the more specific terms&#;fitting and coupling&#;for clarity.

A typical garden hose has two ferrules, one male coupling and one female coupling.

The Ferrule 

A ferrule is a cylindrical fitting that goes over each end of a garden hose before inserting the male and female fittings into the hose ends. Ferrules can be either ribbed in design, for use with internally expanded male and female fittings, or smooth, for use with barbed fittings.

For smooth-style ferrules, a barbed male and barbed female fitting are inserted into each end of a garden hose. A die is then used to crimp down the ferrule, pinching the garden hose between the ferrule and the barbed fittings. Because a barbed fitting is usually machined and thicker, it creates a smaller interior hose diameter, and thus a greater water restriction.

Swan typically uses ribbed ferrules in its garden hoses, along with internally expanded male and female fittings. When the male and female fittings are inserted into each end of a garden hose, they expand outward, which pinches the garden hose between the ferrules and the fittings.

The Male Coupling

The male coupling on a garden hose is either a one-piece or two-piece design, which has a &#;tail&#; (or &#;stem&#;) on one end of the fitting and male threading on the other. The tail of the fitting is inserted into one end of a garden hose. These tails can be designed to be barbed or expanded as previously described. The threading, meanwhile, appears on the outside of the fitting and screws into a female coupling on a watering accessory such as a nozzle, sprinkler, or even another garden hose.

The Female Coupling

The female coupling on a garden hose is typically a multi-part design consisting of a &#;tail&#; similar to those on male couplings. The tail of the female fitting is inserted into the other end of a garden hose. It also has a rotating component that contains female threading on the inside that screws onto a male coupling, such as that on a water source. The female coupling also needs to have an O-ring or a garden hose washer inserted for sealing purposes.

It&#;s important to note that garden hose couplings don&#;t seal to what they&#;re attached to based on the threads of the fittings. It&#;s the pinching of the washer in the female coupling that creates the seal. Because of this, care needs to be taken not to over-tighten the couplings, or you can damage the washer and cause leaks.

What Are Garden Hose Couplings Made Out Of?

Traditionally, all the components of garden hose couplings were made out of brass, from the tails to the threaded fittings.

However, regulations such as Prop. 65 in California&#;officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of &#;put a limit on certain materials used in products. This included brass because of the lead it can contain (however, the amount of lead in brass is well-below the regulation&#;s threshold). At the same time, the price of brass skyrocketed. The industry therefore began to utilize other materials in garden hose couplings such as aluminum, plastic, coated steels and even stainless steel.

Today, you&#;ll typically find garden hose couplings made of durable materials such as aluminum, brass, plastic or steel, which ensures they can withstand frequent use and exposure to the elements.

What Sizes Do Garden Hose Couplings Come In?

Garden hoses in general are made with interior diameters of &#;&#;, ½&#;, &#;&#; and ¾&#;, with the tails of the male and female couplings sized appropriately to fit within these diameters.

The threads on the garden hose couplings, however, on all residential and most commercial garden hoses in the United States and Canada, are made with one standard size to be able to connect to the threads on all spigots and watering accessories.

This standard thread size is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for garden hose fitting thread size, which is ¾&#;&#;11.5 NH or NHR. NH stands for American Standard Hose Coupling Threads of Full Form (used for a standard machined thread), and NHR stands for American Standard Hose Coupling Threads for Garden Hose Applications (used for rolled or formed threads such as Swan&#;s rolled male thread).

Other thread designations you might see include GHT (Garden Hose Thread), GHM (Garden Hose Male) and GHF (Garden Hose Female), but all of these are made to the same standard.

In contrast, there are special hoses used for commercial applications that have their own thread sizes, while outside of the United States, metric sizes are used. 

How to Properly Attach a Garden Hose Coupling to a Water Source

Attaching a garden hose coupling to a water source is a relatively straightforward process. First, place the female coupling of the garden hose onto the male coupling of the water source (such as a spigot or faucet). Then, twist the female coupling clockwise with your hand until a connection is made to its washer, and then just a quarter-turn to half-turn more to fasten the male and female couplings securely.

With smaller round or octagonal-shaped female couplings, you might need the aid of a wrench. Just be sure not to over-tighten the coupling because you can damage the washer and create a leak.

Some of Swan&#;s garden hoses, such as our PROScape Hose and SoftTOUCH Hose, include our plastic Ergonomic Female Grip on the outside of the female coupling. This can be used like a wrench to tighten the connection to the water source. We also use larger ergonomic aluminum couplings on our heavy-duty hoses, which don&#;t require a wrench or other tool to tighten the connection.

How to Properly Remove a Garden Hose Coupling from a Water Source

Removing a garden hose coupling from a water source is just as simple as attaching it. First, turn off the water source. If a watering accessory is attached to the garden hose such as a nozzle, squeeze the trigger or open the nozzle to release any water pressure. Then, twist the female coupling counterclockwise to loosen it and gently remove it from the water source.

How to Care for Garden Hose Couplings While Attached to a Water Source

When garden hose couplings are attached to a water source (as well as accessories), it&#;s essential to care for them to ensure they remain in good condition. To do so, disconnect the couplings from the water source and any accessories at a minimum of three to four times per year and clean the threads. Never leave your garden hose couplings connected all year long.

Also, regularly inspect your garden hose couplings for signs of damage or wear and tear, such as cracks or leaks. If you notice any damage, replace the coupling with a new one immediately.

How to Care for Garden Hose Couplings Once Removed for Storage

Once you&#;ve finished using your garden hose for the season and removed the couplings from the water source and any accessories, it&#;s essential to care for the couplings properly to ensure they&#;re in good condition when you need them again. First, remove any dirt or debris from the couplings by wiping them down with a clean, damp cloth. Next, dry the couplings thoroughly to prevent rust or corrosion.

How to Remove Corrosion from Garden Hose Couplings

Over time, garden hose couplings can become corroded due to exposure to water, dirt and the elements. Periodically disconnect the female coupling from the water source and the male coupling from any accessories or other garden hoses and inspect for corrosion. Pay close attention to any residue in the threads.

Depending on whether your water source is public, well or other, you can see different types of corrosion. If caught early, most types of corrosion can be removed by scrubbing the couplings with a small bristled brush and mild soap and water. Remember to thoroughly rinse with clean water and dry. 

In more extreme cases of corrosion, you can find cleaning-solution recipes online that recommend using lemon juice, as well other natural acids, to remove the corrosion.

Garden hose couplings are an essential component for any gardener or outdoor enthusiast. By understanding how to properly attach, remove and care for them, you can ensure they remain in good condition for years to come. Remember to regularly inspect and replace damaged couplings, clean, dry and store them properly, and remove any corrosion promptly. Happy gardening!

For more general information on hoses, read the following articles:

&#;&#;Understanding Burst Strength in Garden Hoses: A Comprehensive Guide

Garden Hoses: An Essential Tool for Cleaning Up After Natural Disasters

Garden Hose Buying Guide

Get to Know Garden Hose Layers Before You Buy

Drinking From a Hose

The Flow Rate of a Garden Hose

Best Garden Hoses: Our Recommendations

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