How Does a Saddle Clamp Work?

Saddle clamps allow builders to fasten and attach tubular fixtures.

Saddle clamps are useful hardware that allow builders and remodelers to set tubes, pipes and other fixtures into place, and to attach tubular fittings and fencing panels together. They come in various forms, are usually made of strong aluminum or stainless steel, and include fastening plates that are set with a pair of threaded bolts. Saddle clamps are most commonly used on electrical conduit, antenna poles and plumbing fixtures.

Sizing

Using the proper size of saddle clamp is vital to successful installation. Saddle clamps are measured in inches and by diameter, corresponding to the width of the fixture to which they will be attached. Too large a saddle clamp, and your fixtures will not be firmly attached. Too small, and they will not fit and will eventually fail altogether.

Material

Choosing the proper material is also key. Saddle clamps come in iron, brass, steel, aluminum and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Although stainless steel will not rust, it is prone to slippage when applied to plastic fittings. Aluminum is a lighter material that is appropriate for outdoor installations such as fencing and antennas. PVC clamps are cheap and easy to work with.

Installation

Installers have to provide enough clamping strength to keep the fixtures in place. This means using multiple clamps if necessary, especially if working on outdoor fixtures that will be subject to wind and weather. Multiple clamps must be evenly spaced along the entire length of the fixture to be clamped, and not bunched at one end or another.

Glue-on Saddle Clamps

Saddle clamps can also be useful for tapping into an existing water line. The user drills a hole into the line, fits the clamp over the hole, and glues it into place. There is an outlet in the clamp to which a new line can be fitted. There is no need to cut a T-joint into the old line and fit gaskets or corrodible metal parts in place.

Tightening

To fasten the saddle clamp, you need to apply a torque wrench to a set of two or more fastening bolts. The torque has to be uniform across the entire clamp, otherwise the fastener will seize up and the surfaces of the tube or pipe will be degraded. Use of a lubricant on the bolt threads and to both sides of the washers while installing will help keep the bolts from seizing.

References

• DX Engineering: U-Bolt Saddle Clamps
• Nextag.com: Saddle Clamps
• Pond and Fountain Pros: Speas Saddle Clamp