Prevost safety quick couplings

Guide: Prevost safety quick couplings for compressed air

Connecting compressed air piping

Various types of couplings are used to connect compressed air piping:

  • plastic push-in fittings
  • metal push-in fittings

Different types of fittings, reducers, and threaded connections are required for the connection:

  • nickel-plated steel fittings
  • brass fittings
  • stainless steel fittings and shapes
Various types of couplings and fittings for air distribution

Quick couplings – connecting and disconnecting with one hand

Quick couplings, as the name suggests, allow for very fast connection and disconnection of pipes or hoses, usually with one hand.

Quick couplings are installed on piping in places that are frequently disconnected, typically where pneumatic tools are changed or where entire branches of a pneumatic circuit need to be disconnected.

Handling a quick coupling with one hand

Coupling and plug create a connection

A quick coupling is mounted on the supply pipe, and a corresponding plug (nipple) is mounted on the opposing pipe or hose:

Assembly of a quick coupling and matching plug

The plug is inserted into the quick coupling, and as soon as a click is heard, the connection is complete. The plug hits a seat with an O-ring, sealing the connection. To disconnect, it is necessary to press the quick coupling sleeve to release the plug.

Detailed view of mechanical quick coupling connection

Quick coupling material affects their lifespan

Quick couplings are usually made of brass, nickel-plated brass, or steel.

Brass and nickel-plated brass quick couplings

The most commonly used brass quick couplings are inexpensive. They are more suitable for small workshops than for industrial operations. Soft brass can dent or wear, leading to:

  • flow reduction,
  • relatively short lifespan,
  • air leaks due to wear.

Stainless steel quick couplings

Stainless steel quick couplings are more expensive. They are suitable for distribution systems in industrial operations. Stainless steel is durable, giving the couplings these properties:

  • long lifespan,
  • good wear resistance,
  • no air leaks.

Advantages of using stainless steel quick couplings to eliminate leaks

Compressed air leaks through quick couplings

Quick couplings are the most common source of compressed air leaks. A typical leak in a quick coupling at 7 bar is around 1 Nm³/h.

With an air cost of approx. 0.30 CZK/Nm³, the cost of a leak is:

per hour: 0.30 CZK
per 8h shift: 2.40 CZK
per 1 day: 7.20 CZK
per 1 week: 50.40 CZK
per 1 year: 2,620 CZK
(16 l/min = 1.5% of flow)*
How many such quick couplings are in operation?

Graph of costs for air leaks in leaky quick couplings

Connecting a quick coupling to a compressed air system

Whether you choose brass, nickel-plated brass, or stainless steel, you must select the correct type based on the connection to the pipe or hose.

Overview of quick coupling connection types - male thread, female thread, hose barb

Quick coupling size according to pipe diameter

Quick couplings for plugs according to European standards are available with nominal diameters from DN 2.7 to DN 19 for various air flows:

Size table and nominal diameters DN for quick couplings

Quick couplings for every application

A truly wide selection of quick couplings allows you to choose the right one for every application. On our portal, you will find couplings divided into many series, such as high-flow ESG series, couplings for the plastics industry, or safety versions.

Quick couplings for safe work

A quick coupling can disconnect a compressed air circuit very easily and quickly. A sudden and violent discharge of air can injure the operator. The hose can slip out of the worker's hand and whip around.

Additionally, compressed air is wasted. To prevent the air stream from bursting out, quick couplings and plugs are often equipped with a shut-off valve.

Safety when working with compressed air and quick couplings

Types of valve closures

Connection without shut-off valve
Diagram: Quick coupling without shut-off valve
Upon disconnection, air flows from both the plug and the quick coupling.

Single-sided shut-off
Diagram: Single-sided shut-off quick coupling
Upon disconnection, the shut-off valve in the quick coupling closes the air flow. However, air can still escape from the plug.

Double-sided shut-off
Diagram: Double-sided shut-off quick couplings and plugs
There is a shut-off valve in both the quick coupling and the plug – the air flow is immediately closed after disconnection, so no leaks occur and air remains in the pipe.

Depressurization during disconnection

For safe disconnection of a compressed air circuit, it is advisable to first depressurize the disconnected branch of the pipe, i.e., reduce the air pressure in it.

Depressurization via sleeve

ESIS safety quick couplings (complying with ISO 4414) allow for first reducing the pressure in the disconnected branch and then disconnecting the coupling.

Depressurization via button

Prevo S1 type quick couplings with a button allow for depressurizing the disconnected pipe branch and disconnecting the circuit conveniently with a single press.

Procedure:

  1. Connecting: press the plug into the quick coupling.
  2. Press the button to depressurize the section after the coupling.
  3. After the pressure drops, the plug is released from the coupling.
Mechanism of plug release by pressing the safety button

Safety quick couplings PREVOST S1 with depressurization technology

Prevo S1 type quick couplings for industrial use

Prevo S1 industrial quick couplings

Flow rate 65% higher than standard couplings

  • safety design according to ISO 4414
  • extremely easy disconnection
  • zero leaks with a 3-year warranty
  • wide selection of profiles with flow up to 3,700 l/min
  • unique solutions for blow guns
Prevost S1 industrial quick coupling range

Standard quick coupling cross-section – the valve seat causes turbulence:
Air turbulence in a standard quick coupling with seat

Prevo S1 quick couplings with patented valve shape allow for smoother air flow.
Laminar air flow in the patented Prevo S1 quick coupling

The Prevo S1 quick coupling is very safe.

  • Meets ISO 4414 requirements.
  • Depressurizes the downstream branch upon button press.
  • Extremely easy to disconnect.

3-year leak-free warranty

Prevo S1 quick couplings come with a three-year warranty against air leaks. Each coupling body is marked with the year and week of manufacture.

Color coding and various sizes

In addition to DN 7.4, various other sizes of Prevo S1 couplings are available. Choose metal versions for high flows up to 3,686 l/min. You can easily distinguish models by the button color, preventing cross-connection and ensuring you pick the right coupling for your application on the first try.

Prevost quick coupling color coding by profile

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