There’s a question we hear all the time from our customers at Wolf Creek Portable Piping Products: What’s the difference between A-type and B-type fittings?
The truth is, it’s easy to tell the difference between these two types of portable pipe fittings if you know what to look for! Today, we’re giving you a quick overview of both A and B-type fittings and how you can tell the difference between them:
It comes down to the connection
A-type and B-type fittings serve the same purpose: to provide the easy, quick connection of two pieces of pipe or hose, joining them together securely.
As you can see in the diagram above, the most noticeable difference between A-type and B-type fittings is how the levers are connected. With A-types, the levers are welded directly to the socket (or female) end of the fitting. On B-type fittings, the levers are welded onto a floating ring that slips over the ball (or male) end. It’s really that simple!
At Wolf Creek, we offer both A-type and B-type fittings in 10-inch and 12-inch diameter versions. But for smaller fittings of 8-inches and less, we offer only the best, Genuine Bauer, which is the original B-type. This is a very important distinction, which leads us to another commonly-asked question: What’s the Bauer difference?
Genuine Bauer: Often imitated, never duplicated!
Here at Wolf Creek, we’re proud to offer the industry’s best fitting, true Genuine Bauer HK couplings, in sizes 8-inches and less. Several attempts have been made to copy the popular Genuine Bauer quick coupler over the years, but none of the generic imitations have achieved the exceptional quality and durability of the original.
There are several ways to tell if you have a true Genuine Bauer pipe fitting on your hands or a generic B-type fitting:
- Does it have “Bauer” stamped on the lever?
- Does the lever have a “squared nose?” This square nose is what keeps the Genuine Bauer lever in the closed position. On the other hand, Generic B-types use rivets to hold the lever arms onto the ring and require a locking pin to stay closed. Under normal use, the rivet holes can become “sloppy” and make the lever loose and less reliable.
- Does it have welded straps to hold the lever arms to the ring? These straps do not wear out or stretch, ensuring longer life and a stronger connection.
When you need fittings in 8-inches or less, trust Wolf Creek’s Genuine Bauer fittings to deliver the quality required for the toughest jobs!
What’s Your Type?
At Wolf Creek Portable Piping, we provide a vast collection of piping products that allow for quick pipe connection and disassembly, even on the most difficult sites. Whether you’re looking for A-type or B-type fittings for your next project, we have what you need!
We carry an extensive product mix with fittings in all kinds of styles, such as flange by ball, flange by socket, elbows, and strainers for use on a variety of pipe media, including steel pipe, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, and hoses. We can even fabricate custom, special-use fittings in-house, using ball and socket or any other coupler type.
We know that when our customers need temporary piping products, they need them fast. That’s why we carry a large inventory and offer fast shipping to make your life easier!
Do you have any other portable piping questions? We’d love to help. Our portable piping experts are always here to guide you through the process and help you find the right solutions for your needs. Contact us today!