Selection
Camlock coupling types A, B, C, D, E, F, DC and DP
Which half of the coupling each Camlock type is, what is on its other end, how the types connect, and which sizes and materials are available.
How to choose an air hose for a compressor and pneumatic tools
Pressure class, inner diameter, length, oil mist and temperature: what to check when choosing an air hose for a compressor and pneumatic tools.
An air hose connects the compressor to pneumatic tools: breakers, drills, grinders and other air-powered equipment. On construction sites and in mining it is dragged over rough ground, works in heat and frost, and carries air with oil mist from the compressor. Here is what to check when choosing it.
Pressure class
The working pressure of the hose must be higher than the maximum pressure of the compressor, which is given on its rating plate and in the manual. The DELAIR compressed air hoses:
- DELAIR 20 D and DELAIR 20 D YELLOW — textile reinforcement, working pressure 20 bar; burst pressure 60 bar for DELAIR 20 D and 80 bar for DELAIR 20 D YELLOW.
- DELAIR 25 D — textile reinforcement, working pressure 25 bar. For heavy pneumatic tools in road and railway construction, tunnelling and mining.
- DELAIR 40 HD — steel wire reinforcement, working pressure 40 bar for ID 19–51 mm (burst pressure 160 bar) and 30 bar for ID 63–102 mm (burst pressure 120 bar). For heavy pneumatic tools in road and railway construction, tunnelling and mining.
- DELAIR HOT 40 D 160 °C — textile reinforcement, working pressure 40 bar, for hot compressed air up to +160 °C; for dry air only.
- DELAIR VIBRO 10 D — working pressure 10 bar, for pneumatic concrete vibrators.
Inner diameter and length
Air loses pressure along the hose: the longer and narrower the hose, the lower the pressure at the tool. The tool manufacturer states the hose size and the pressure the tool needs, and the hose should not be narrower than that. On long runs, use a larger ID for the main line and a short hose of the tool size at the end.
| Connection | Hose ID |
|---|---|
| 1/2″ | 13 mm |
| 3/4″ | 19 mm |
| 1″ | 25 mm |
| 1¼” | 32 mm |
| 1½” | 38 mm |
| 2″ | 51 mm |
All these sizes are available in DELCOS air hoses.
Oil mist and temperature
Compressed air from a compressor often carries oil mist — mention it when you ask for a quote. Air leaves the compressor warm, so check its temperature at the outlet against the hose rating: DELAIR 20 D, DELAIR 20 D YELLOW, DELAIR 25 D and DELAIR 40 HD work from −30 to +80 °C, DELAIR VIBRO 10 D from −20 to +70 °C; for hot dry air up to +160 °C there is DELAIR HOT 40 D 160 °C.
Conductive or not
Where site rules require a conductive or antistatic hose, tell us: DELAIR 20 D YELLOW has an antistatic inner tube, and a copper wire for grounding is available on request.
Couplings and safety
A hose under air pressure that comes loose from its coupling can whip violently. Use couplings suited to the pressure, fit them properly and secure them with safety devices where required. We fit couplings to our air hoses and pressure test the assembly: see hose crimping and assembly. The pressure rating of an assembly depends on the couplings as well as on the hose.
Long temporary air lines
The layflat hose DELFLAT is also made for compressed air and comes in lengths up to 200 m. For compressed air, its working pressure must not exceed a quarter of the burst pressure.
What to send us for a quote
- maximum pressure of the compressor;
- hose size required by the tools, or the connection size;
- length of the line;
- where the hose works: construction, mining, industry;
- whether a conductive hose is required;
- couplings;
- quantity.
Send us the details via the contacts page.
See also: How to order a hose assembly: what we need to know.
