BSP vs NPT fittings - which type to decide on?

[ChilledGecko]

Hi all,
I’m looking at getting my all grain adventure underway and I’m designing and looking at parts and redesigning and slowly going mad...

I have a general idea of where I’m going but I notice fittings can come with an option for either BSP or NTP thread options.
I understand the technical differences 60 vs 55 degree, thread valleys, flat bottoms (oooh err mrs) and the like.

What I’m trying to understand is which standard should I go for?
I don’t want to lock myself in and limit my options by making a decision error now.

Gut feel and looking at availability is leading me towards BSP but would love some sage advise from the wise ones from around these parts.

cheers m’dears,
Kevin

 

[Buffers brewery]

My kit comprises mainly BSP fittings although I have one NTP fitting (the part I wanted I could only find had a NTP thread) so just got NTP/BSP adaptor. Not the end of the world.

 

[emerson909]

Go for BSP as they are much easier to get hold of, I have had the odd NPT fitting but at 1/2 inch I have found them compatible, I’m not using them on anything pressurised but don’t have any leaks. Just use plenty of PTFE tape

 

[ChilledGecko]

Thanks guys, BSP it is.
Interesting comment @emerson909 regarding 1/2" may get me out of trouble if I hit a wall.

Thanks again guys! Much appreciated

 

[peebee]

Good choice! There's American NPT, or BSP like the rest of the World use. And as you've found, at 1/2" and 3/4" NPT and BSP are close enough to be "compatible". Certainly NPT male will screw into BSP female (bit of PTFE tape will see to any gaps), not so sure about BSP male into NPT female but probably will? NPT is usually tapered so expect the threads to start binding when getting well in (when using NPT in NPT this will create the seal). You can get tapered male BSP threads too, but I don't think (?) the taper is compatible with NPT. I generally use parallel BSP threads (BSPP) which always screws all the way and relies on washers and O-rings to do the sealing. Tapered female BSP is uncommon (Rc) and usually is always parallel.

Although BSP and the Whitworth thread form is "universal", there has been attempts to move away (B=British, many don't like that, and all that Imperial inch stuff too), so occasionally you do see "metric BSP": 1/2" BSP is the same as DN15.

 

[ChilledGecko]

Cheers @peebee good knowledge transfer there, much appreciated.

So I'm guessing from what you are saying I could buy a beer pump with 1/2" NPT male outlets and stick some female camlock (either 1/2" BSP or DN15) and I'll be a happy chappy with a liberal application of PTFE tape?

Obviously I'll aim to get BSP connections but it'll give me flexibility.

Thanks

 

[Buffers brewery]

Cheers @peebee good knowledge transfer there, much appreciated.

So I'm guessing from what you are saying I could buy a beer pump with 1/2" NPT male outlets and stick some female camlock (either 1/2" BSP or DN15) and I'll be a happy chappy with a liberal application of PTFE tape?

Obviously I'll aim to get BSP connections but it'll give me flexibility.

Thanks

You’d be better off trying to match the threads for trouble-free plumbing IMO. You can buy 1/2” NTP Type A camlock from Angel Homebrew.
https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/camlock-fittings/162-12-bsp-type-a-camlock-fitting.html

 

[peebee]

... So I'm guessing from what you are saying I could buy a beer pump with 1/2" NPT male outlets and stick some female camlock (either 1/2" BSP or DN15) and I'll be a happy chappy with a liberal application of PTFE tape? ...

You could use BSP, but as @Buffers brewery hints: If you can get NPT fittings to match (an they are not outrageously expensive) sticking to NPT in that particular case makes more sense.

BSP any other time. At least having a spread of different threads will in time make you comfortable with the options. So when you try to screw 1/4" NPT into 1/4" BSP, you know not to try it again!

 

[ChilledGecko]

Thanks guys!

The official plan is to go BSP all the way but if a fitting is not available in BSP then I'll go NPT and either convert with an adaptor or at a push persuade with plenty of PTFE to hand.
As I'll no doubt be stripping down for cleaning PTFE will become a PITA for sure, so BSP we go!

Thanks for all your sage advice lads, it's very appreciated!

 

[JockyBrewer]

Bit late but I’d agree on BSP. Much easier and cheaper to get hold of fittings in BSP.

If you buy something from the US with NPT threads on it (e.g. a Blichmann pump) then you can buy NPT camlocks or quick disconnects or just hose tails for that item.

 

[Old_P]

Some good advice here and answered a couple of questions I had.
Thanks