Connections, threads and hoses
Only a few standard sizes have become established on beer dispensing systems. If you know them, you will quickly find the right hoses, nuts and seals – and can even connect lines yourself.
The most important threads
| Line | Thread | Typical places |
|---|---|---|
| Beer | 5/8 inch | keg coupler, beer cooler, font; also the cooling water connections of python coolers |
| CO2 | 3/4 inch | pressure regulator and keg coupler |
| Soft drinks | 1/2 inch | outlet of soft-drink pressure regulators (up to 7 bar) |
If a part does not fit directly, adapters help – for example a reducer from 3/4 inch female to 5/8 inch male thread, or an adapter fitting from 5/8 to 3/4 inch.
Hose sizes: NW 4, NW 7 and NW 10
“NW” stands for nominal width, i.e. the inside diameter of the hose.
| Hose | Inside | Use |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 hose NW 4 | 4 mm | from the pressure regulator to the keg coupler |
| Beer hose NW 7 | 7 mm | standard: from the keg coupler to the beer cooler or font |
| Beer hose NW 10 | 10 mm (outside 14 mm) | long line runs or high dispensing capacity |
Important: cooler, hose tails and tap must match the nominal width. Soft, transparent hoses are easy to lay and always show whether the line is clean. For push-fit connectors there are hard beverage hoses with 8 mm or 9.5 mm (3/8 inch) outside diameter.
Wing nut or hex nut?
- Wing nut: tightened and loosened by hand, without tools – ideal for mobile systems where hoses are often connected and disconnected.
- Hex union nut: tightened with a spanner and stays firmly in place – the flat 5/8 inch nut is the standard for beer connections.
- Straight or angled hose tail: the 90° hose tail leads the hose off to the side when space is tight.
Connecting a hose yourself
- Cut the hose straight.
- Push the hose tail (straight or angled) into the hose.
- Secure it with a single-ear clamp. Matching clamping range: NW 4 = 9.8–12.3 mm, NW 7 = 12–14.5 mm, NW 10 = 15–17.5 mm.
- Insert the seal and screw on the nut. Beer (5/8 inch): PVC seal 13 × 20 × 3 mm. CO2 (3/4 inch): PE ring 13 × 23 × 3 mm.
Connection sets contain nut, hose tail, seal and clamp. Ready-made beer and CO2 hoses are available in 150 and 300 cm lengths with wing or hex nut.
Matching products
Questions about your system? Write to us – we are happy to help. More topics under Good to know.
All information without guarantee. The manufacturers’ operating instructions and notes are authoritative.