Several types of valve connections for propane, butane, and LPG containers exist for transport and storage, sometimes with overlapping usage and applications, and there are major differences in usage between different countries. Even within a single country more than one type can be in use for a specific application. This requires adequate tooling and adapters for replenishment in multiple countries. For example for overlanders and users of autogas traveling with a container originating in one country to other parts of the world this is a major concern. This article describes existing standards and the standards in use for a number of countries. For disposable containers the availability per country is described. Filling stations may be able and allowed to fill foreign containers if adequate adapters are available. Adapters are provided by, amongst others, camping stores. The iOverlander database maintained by travelers, My LPG and the Facebook group "Cooking Gas Around the World" provide more information about individual sources per country. Much general information about global LPG use and standardization is available from the World LPG Association and the AEGPL
Container types The main containers of liquefied petroleum gas, propane and butane are automotive tanks, disposable cylinders, permanent tanks and portable cylinders.
Container Type Important Uses Way of Replenishment Automotive Autogas Fuel station Disposable cylinders Camping, tools Replacement Portable cylinders Heating, cooking Exchange, filling station, gravity fillingGravity filling is the process of filling an empty cylinder from a full one by gravity. Permanent tanks Heating, cooking Tank truck
Connector types and standards The list of standards shows one applicable standard for each connector type listed in the table below. A single applicable standard has been chosen in case multiple versions of the same standard have been published, for example a German and a European version.
Overview of standards NameDescriptionABNT NBR 8614Wikipedia: Botijão de gásBrazilian standard for automatic valves for transportable containers of 2 kg, 5 kg and 13 kg of LPG, first published in 1997. (Portuguese name: Válvulas automáticas para recipientes transportáveis para 2 kg, 5 kg e 13 kg de GLP.AutogasCan refer to several connector standards, colloquially known as ACME, Bayonet, Dish or Euronozzle connectors.DIN 477-1 No. 4A DIN standard for gas cylinder valves for test pressures up to .EN 15202A European standard for LPG equipment and accessories, specifying LPG cylinder valve connections.EN 15202:2012 (G.1-G.66): LPG equipment and accessories. Essential operational dimensions for LPG cylinder valve outlet and associated equipment connectionsEN 417European norm specification concerning non-refillable metallic cartridges for liquefied petroleum gases. The EN 417 norm specifies container construction, but does however not specify any connectors.IS-8737Indian standard for LPG connectors for use with cylinders of more than 5 liter water capacity.IS-8737: Valve fittings for use with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders of more than 5 liter water capacityKHK S0126Japanese standard for LPG container valve design and manufacturing.KHK S0126: Liquefied petroleum gas container Valve design / manufacturing standard KHK S0126 (2014)SAEFAmerican standard specified by U.S. based SAE International.SANS 10019:2011South African standard for connectors.SANS 10019: South African Bureau of Standards: Transportable pressure receptacles for compressed, dissolved and liquefied gases — Basic design, manufacture, use and maintenanceSNI 1591 : 2008Indonesia: Forms, materials and components, construction requirements, quality requirements, and test methods of LPG steel tube valves.M-threadThe designation used for international ISO metric screw threads.BSPBritish Standard Pipe, a type of threads originating from Britain.UNEFA Unified Thread Standard originating from the USA, where the EF designation indicates an "Extra Fine" thread pitch.
List of connector types The Connector Types Table lists connectors that are found on propane, butane and LPG containers, the standards these connectors adhere to as well as the most important parameters of these connectors.
Name Connector standard Thread standard Nominal diameter (mm) Pitch (mm) Nominal diameter (inch) Pitch (TPI) InterfaceINT: Internal (male), Ext: external (male) DirectionLH: left hand turn to tighten, RH: right hand turn to tighten 1 ¾" x 6 ACME (G.31) Autogas AcmeTrapezoidal thread form 44.5 mm 6.35 mm 1-3/4" 4 TPI EXT RH 1 1/4" x 5 ACME (G.29) EN 15202 No thread 1 1/4" x 5 ACME LH (G.30) EN 15202 No thread LH 7/16" UNEF camping N/A Lindal B188 11.1 mm 0.907 mm 7/16" 28 TPI EXT 1 lb (16 oz) propane bottle (Coleman) 1"-20 CGA600 UNEF 25.4 mm 1.27 mm 1" 20 tpi EXT RH ABNT NBR 13794 ABNT NBR 8614 NPT 19.1 mm 1.814 mm 3/4" 14 TPI ABNT NBR 8614 a ABNT NBR 8614 NPT 9.5 mm 3/8" No thread ABNT NBR 8614 b ABNT NBR 8614 NPT 19.1 mm 1.814 mm 3/4" 14 TPI Bayonet Autogas Bayonet No thread Bayonet camping N/A No thread EXT N/A Butane Canister, 225 g (8 oz) N/A No thread EXT N/A Camping gas VBC02 (G.3) EN 15202 ISO 16.0 mm 1.5 mm 0.629" 16.93 TPI INT RH Camping gas VBC03 (G.33) EN 15202 BSP 16.7 mm 1.337 mm 3/8" 19 TPI DIN 477-1 No. 4 DIN 477-1 No. 4 BSP 16.7 mm 1.337 mm 3/8" 19 TPI Dish Autogas Dish No thread INT Euro Nozzle Autogas Euro No thread EXT EU-Shell (G.8) EN 15202 BSW 21.8 mm 1.814 mm 0.858" 14 TPI EXT LH G 3/8 LH (G.33) EN 15202 BSP 16.7 mm 1.337 mm 3/8" 19 TPI G 3/8 LH EN ISO 228-1 (G.25) EN 15202 No thread LH Gaz (G.3) EN 15202 ISO 16 mm 1.5 mm 0.629" 16.93 TPI INT RH GF – Grossflasche (G.04) EN 15202 ISO 21.8 mm 1.814 mm 0.858" 14 TPI EXT LH IS-8737 IS-8737 No thread Ital. A (EN 16129 G.1) EN 15202 BSW 20 mm 1.814 mm 0.787" 14 TPI EXT LH KHK S0126 clip on KHK S0126 No thread KLF – Kleinflasche (G.12) EN 15202 BSW 21.8 mm 1.814 mm 0.858" 14 TPI EXT LH Liquid withdrawal VL07 EN 15202 NGO 21.8 mm 1.814 mm 0.885" 14 TPI INT LH Neck valve 20 mm (G.64) EN 15202 20 mm 0.787" No thread INT POL 105 (EN 16129 G.7) EN 15202 BSP 22.9 mm 1.814 mm 5/8" 14 TPI INT LH POL US (G.9) EN 15202 NGO 22.3 mm 1.814 mm 0.880" 14 TPI INT LH POL-WS (G.10) EN 15202 NGO 22.3 mm 1.814 mm 0.880" 14 TPI INT LH Primus (G.32) EN 15202 ISO 14 mm 1.5 mm 0.551" 16.93 TPI INT RH QCC Type 1 (G.9) EN 15202 33.3 mm 5.080 mm 1-5/16" 5 TPI EXT RH Quick coupling 16 mm (G.50) EN 15202 16 mm 0.629 No thread INT Quick coupling 19 mm (G.51) EN 15202 19 mm 0.748" No thread INT Quick coupling 20 mm (G.52) EN 15202 20 mm 0.787" No thread INT Quick coupling 21 mm (G.53) EN 15202 21 mm 0.827" No thread INT Quick coupling 21.7 mm threaded (G.57) EN 15202 21.7 mm 0.858" No thread Quick coupling 22 mm (G.54) EN 15202 22 mm 0.866 No thread Quick coupling 24.4 mm (G.58) EN 15202 24.4 mm 1" No thread Quick coupling 24.5 mm (G.55) EN 15202 24.5 mm 1" No thread Quick coupling 24.5 mm (G.60) EN 15202 25.4 mm 1" No thread Quick coupling 27 mm (G.59) EN 15202 27 mm 1.063" No thread Quick coupling 35 mm Jumbo (G.56) EN 15202 35 mm 1.378" No thread Quick coupling bayonet (G.61) EN 15202 No thread Quick Coupling Fork Lift (G.66) EN 15202 No thread Quick Coupling Fork Lift Bayonet (G.65) EN 15202 No thread SAEF 1/2" SAEF 12.7 mm 1.954 mm 1/2" 13 TPI INT RH SANS 10019 small cylinders SANS 10019 BSP 16.7 mm 1.337 mm 3/8" 19 TPI Shell-F (G.2) EN 15202 ISO 21.7 mm 1.814 mm 0.858" 14 TPI EXT LH SNI 1591 : 2008 a SNI 1591 NPT 12.7 mm 1/2" SNI 1591 : 2008 b SNI 1591 NPT 19.1 mm 3/4" No thread SNI 1591 : 2008 c SNI 1591 NPT 19.1 mm 3/4" No thread Threaded connection W 14,8 x 1/18 (G.21) EN 15202 14.8 mm 0.056 mm 0.582677165 EXT LH VP01 (G.9) EN 15202 POL VP02 (G.9) EN 15202 POL VP03 (G.9) EN 15202 POL W 21,8 x 1,814 LH – 55° (G.05) EN 15202 BSW 21.8 mm 1.814 mm 0.858" 14 TPI EXT LH W 21,8 x 1,814 LH (G.19) EN 15202 21.8 mm 1.814 mm 0.858" 14 TPI EXT LH W 22 x 1,155 LH (G.06) EN 15202 No thread LH
Gallery of threaded connectors
Gallery of quick coupling connectors
Standards in use per country The list of standards in use per country shows per country for each application which connectors are use. In some countries multiple connectors are used for the same application.IRAM 2539 (Instituto Argentino de Racionalización de Materiales