TES-LOK Male Bulkhead Connector Tube Fittings — double-ferrule compression tube inside the panel, male NPT / BSP external thread outside the panel. Sealed tube-to-male-thread feedthrough in one fitting. SS 316 · Brass · Monel · Inconel · Equal & Reducing · Up to 6,000 PSI · ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Male Bulkhead Connector (Equal)
Bulkhead Reducer (Reducing variant)
A male bulkhead connector tube fitting is a panel-mount fitting that creates a sealed tube-to-male-thread feedthrough through any enclosure wall, bulkhead, or instrument panel. The hex body is machined to a precise diameter that passes through a drilled hole in the panel; a panel nut (locknut) threads onto the body from the inside face, drawing the fitting shoulder tight against the outside panel surface to create a gas-tight panel seal without additional sealing materials.
Inside the panel: a double-ferrule compression tube connection makes the leak-tight joint with the internal tube run — the same TES-LOK bite-type mechanism used across the full fitting range. Outside the panel: a male external NPT or BSP thread screws directly into a female-threaded port on external equipment — a valve body, manifold inlet, instrument connection, or any female-threaded socket. The result is one fitting that handles the panel penetration, tube connection, and thread-to-equipment connection simultaneously.
| Port | Location | Connection Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port 1 | Inside panel | Double-ferrule compression tube (TES-LOK) | Connects to internal instrument or process tube run (1/16"–1" OD) |
| Port 2 | Outside panel | Male external thread — NPT, BSPT, BSP, UNF, SAE | Screws into female-threaded port on external equipment |
| Panel nut | Inside panel face | Hex locknut on body threads | Clamps body shoulder against outside panel face — secures fitting gas-tight in panel |
| Fitting | Inside Panel | Outside Panel | Use When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Bulkhead Connector | Compression tube | Male external thread | External equipment has a female-threaded inlet socket |
| Female Bulkhead Connector | Compression tube | Female internal thread | External equipment has a male-threaded stud or nipple |
| Bulkhead Union | Compression tube | Compression tube | Tube-to-tube feedthrough — no threads on either side; tube run continues through panel |
| Bulkhead Reducer | Compression tube (small OD) | Compression tube (large OD) or male thread | Panel feedthrough with OD change — connects different tube OD sizes across the panel |
| Tube OD | Male Thread Size | Thread Standard | Max. Pressure (SS 316) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8" | 1/8" | NPT / BSP | 6,000 PSI |
| 1/4" | 1/4" · 1/8" (reducing) | NPT / BSP | 6,000 PSI |
| 3/8" | 3/8" · 1/4" (reducing) | NPT / BSP | 6,000 PSI |
| 1/2" | 1/2" · 3/8" · 1/4" (reducing) | NPT / BSP | 6,000 PSI |
| 3/4" | 3/4" · 1/2" (reducing) | NPT / BSP | 6,000 PSI |
| 1" | 1" · 3/4" (reducing) | NPT / BSP | 6,000 PSI |
Metric tube OD (3 mm–25 mm) and additional reducing combinations available on request.
| TES-LOK Male Bulkhead Connector Tube Fitting — Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | TES-LOK (by Tesco Steel & Engineering) |
| Inside panel end | Double-ferrule compression tube (TES-LOK bite-type) |
| Outside panel end | Male external thread — NPT · BSPT · BSPP · UNF · SAE |
| Panel mount | Hex body through panel hole; panel locknut on inside face included |
| Tube OD range | 1/16" – 1" (imperial) · 3 mm – 25 mm (metric) |
| Thread range | 1/16" NPT – 3/4" NPT and equivalent BSP |
| Configurations | Equal · Reducing |
| Body materials | SS 316 / 316L (standard) · SS 304 · Brass · Monel 400 · Inconel 600 · Hastelloy C-276 |
| Max. working pressure | 6,000 PSI (SS 316) · 3,000 PSI (Brass) |
| Temperature range | −196°C to +400°C (SS) · −29°C to +260°C (Brass) |
| Standards | ASTM D1710 · ASTM D3294 |
| Certifications | ISO 9001:2015 · EN 10204 3.1 MTC available |
| Compatible systems | TES-LOK · Swagelok · Parker A-LOK · Ham-Let |
A single male bulkhead connector replaces three separate components: a panel hole seal or grommet, a compression union, and a male connector. The body shoulder seats directly against the panel face; the locknut clamps from inside. No additional sealing materials at the panel penetration point — the metal shoulder contact is the seal.
The male thread faces outward toward external equipment; the compression tube faces inward into the panel interior. This matches the natural installation direction of instrument enclosures, junction boxes, and sample cabinets without the need to route threaded nipples through the panel wall from the inside.
The inside-panel compression end uses the TES-LOK double-ferrule mechanism for positive tube pull-out resistance and vibration fatigue resistance. Critical for panels mounted on pump skids, compressor bases, or engine rooms where panel vibration would fatigue single-ferrule or flared connections over time.
Reducing male bulkhead connectors allow a different tube OD inside the panel to connect to a different male thread size outside — eliminating a separate reducing nipple at the panel penetration. Simplifies panel design when instrument tubing OD and equipment thread size do not match.
Available in SS 316, SS 304, Brass, Monel 400, Inconel 600, and Hastelloy C-276 with matching CRA ferrules for galvanic compatibility. EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates and PMI testing available for all CRA grades — meeting oil and gas operator and EPC specification requirements.
Manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates and positive material identification (PMI) available on request. Hydrostatic pressure test on each assembly before dispatch.
▶ What is a male bulkhead connector tube fitting?
A male bulkhead connector tube fitting creates a sealed tube-to-male-thread feedthrough through a panel or bulkhead wall. The hex body passes through a drilled panel hole; a locknut on the inside face secures it against the outside panel face. Inside the panel: a compression tube connection. Outside the panel: a male NPT or BSP thread that screws into external female-threaded equipment.
▶ What is the difference between a male bulkhead and a female bulkhead connector?
Both pass through a panel in the same way. A male bulkhead connector has a male external thread on the outside-panel end — it screws into a female-threaded equipment port. A female bulkhead connector has a female internal thread — it receives a male-threaded stud or nipple from external equipment. Choose based on the thread type of the external equipment connection.
▶ What is the difference between a male bulkhead connector and a standard male connector?
A standard male connector is an in-line straight fitting — no panel-mounting features. A male bulkhead connector adds a hex body for a panel hole and a locknut for panel fixing. Use a male bulkhead connector only when the junction must occur at a panel wall; use a standard male connector for all other in-line tube-to-thread transitions.
▶ How is a male bulkhead connector installed?
Pre-load the panel nut, insert the male-thread end from the outside through the panel hole, then tighten the panel nut from the inside (snug plus one full turn). Apply PTFE tape to the male thread, screw into the female equipment port with a back-up wrench on the body flats. Make the compression tube connection inside last. Pressure-test before service.
▶ What tube OD sizes are available?
1/16" to 1" imperial and 3 mm to 25 mm metric. Male thread from 1/16" NPT to 3/4" NPT and equivalent BSP. Equal and reducing configurations both available.
▶ What is the maximum pressure rating?
Up to 6,000 PSI in SS 316 at ambient temperature. Brass rated to 3,000 PSI. Pressure ratings derate at elevated temperature per the published pressure-temperature curves.
▶ What materials are available?
SS 316 (standard), SS 316L, SS 304, Brass, Monel 400, Inconel 600, and Hastelloy C-276 with matching CRA ferrules. EN 10204 3.1 MTCs and PMI available on request.
▶ What thread sealant should I use on the male thread?
NPT and BSPT (tapered): 2–3 wraps of PTFE tape on the male thread. UNF/SAE straight thread: O-ring on the thread shoulder. BSPP mating female port: bonded seal (Dowty washer) on the male thread shoulder — no PTFE on BSPP. Always use a back-up wrench on the body flats to prevent body rotation in the panel.
Equal & Reducing · SS 316 · Brass · CRA Alloys · NPT · BSP · 1/16"–1" Tube OD · Up to 6,000 PSI
ISO 9001:2015 · EN 10204 3.1 MTC · Fast delivery worldwide