As an engineer in the field, there is nothing more infuriating than finding you have the wrong size or type of fitting to complete the job, no matter how well stocked the van is it is impossible to carry every component for every eventuality. Ever more so is this the case in the fluid handling industry specifically hose clamps. With an almost never ending list of types including: Nut and Bolt, Double Ear, Single Ear, Self-Closing, Over-centre, Herbie Clip to name a few the decision of what to stock your tool box with is a difficult one, so which do you choose?
It is important to remember many hose clamps have been designed to do the specific job at the lowest possible price, as such many manufacturers will use clamps only suitable for a certain size of hose and which are only convenient in the manufacturing stages. What we need is a strong, easy to use clamp with a large adjustment range to cover many different hose sizes, and the only clamp to fulfil all these criteria is the humble worm drive hose clip.
How can we be sure the worm drive clip is up to the job? For standard duty clips there are a number of different applicable standards depending on the country and industry. The below chart shows the most common and as you can see operating requirements for the British Standard BS5315 are far in excess of all other standards. The only way to ensure you have a clip that meets this high standard is to look for the British Standard Kitemark. All JCS Hi-Grip products, Zinc Plated Mild Steel, BS.304 and BS.316 Stainless Steel all carry the BSI Kitemark, in fact to ensure all clips exceed this standard JCS internal standards are set at least 20% above the operating requirements of BS5315.
It is worth mentioning that some manufacturers offer hose clamps with continuous perforations along the band, this is normally sold on the misconception that the clamp has a larger adjustment range. In reality the reason for manufacturing clamps this way is because it is cheaper. The BS5315 states the recommended size adjustment range, this is because dependant on the size the screw housing is radiused to closely fit against the relevant hose diameter. JCS clips follow the BS5315 recommendations to ensure all clamps perform to the highest standard.
There will of course be applications the standard worm drive hose clip will not be suitable, wire reinforced hoses, particularly large or high pressure applications included. For this JCS offer a range of Heavy duty clamps known as Hi-Torque. Although similar in appearance to the standard duty Hi-Grip that is where the similarities end.
Hi-Torque clamps have a unique straight line housing which ensures every thread of the hardened rolled Stainless Steel screw are fully engaged with the fully perforated band. This special feature together with the high tensile stainless steel band (tensile strength: 75tons/in2) means Hi-Torque offers twice the strength of ordinary worm drive hose clips….even our own Hi-Grip.
Used correctly Hi-Torque offers a cheaper, more versatile and easier to use alternative to Nut and Bolt type clamps. In testing Hi-Torque has proven to consistently provide superior clamping force and sealing ability onto different types of hose over its more elaborately designed and "stronger looking" rival with the added advantage of a much larger adjustment range. JCS are confident to offer Hi-Torque as an alternative to any other type of hose clamp.
Being fully 304 or 316 Stainless Steel Hi-Torque is also suitable for use in marine, offshore and other corrosive environments. This is supported by Lloyds Register Type Approval and is one of the only clamps in the world for specific approval for the critical application of sealing wet diesel exhaust systems.
For engineers dealing in larger pipe sizes and couplings there is a variation of Hi-Torque which offers the same quality and strength but increased versatility, Multi-Torque. The Multi-Torque system, comprises of an adjuster strap with a worm drive housing each end and continuous length of perforated stainless steel banding. A similar system is adopted by many of the drainage pipe coupling manufacturers, most of which JCS produce the clamps for. Multi-Torque can in effect be used on any size hose or coupling from 70mm diameter making it the perfect addition to any field service engineers toolbox.
One of the issues with using worm drive hose clamps, particularly on soft wall rubber hose, is the potential for damage to the hose itself. Where clamps are tightened it can be very easy to cut into the hose slightly, this compounded with vibration from an engine or similar can cause a complete failure as the hose clamp cuts deeper and deeper. To help prevent this many companies up-turn the edges of the clamp band, however this only moves the sharp point and hose damage can still occur. Uniquely JCS uses special material with a rounded edge for the clamp bands on all products, this rounded band offers far superior protection as the sharp point which cuts into the hose is removed completely.
For further information on JCS and the Hi-Torque range please click below:
