Breakaway Couplings play a vital role in keeping loading, unloading, and transfer operations safe by preventing spills, equipment damage, and costly downtime. They separate under excessive tension, acting as a final line of defence when a hose is pulled, a drive-off occurs, or unexpected movement happens. With so many industries relying on safe fluid handling, choosing the right Breakaway Coupling directly impacts operational safety.
The two most widely used designs are Cable Release and Break Pin (Shear Pin) Breakaway Couplings. Both protect systems effectively, but they work in very different ways and suit different applications. In this blog, we explain how each mechanism functions and highlight their key benefits.
Cable Release Breakaway Couplings:
Cable Release Breakaway Couplings use internal tension cables to hold the coupling together. When a hose is pulled or a drive-off incident occurs, the cables release in a controlled manner, allowing the coupling to separate safely and prevent damage to the hose, equipment, or surrounding area.
Key Benefits of Cable Release Breakaway Couplings
- Resettable design – in most cases, the coupling can be reassembled and reused after activation.
- Smooth, controlled separation – reduces shock to connected equipment.
- Ideal for flexible or frequently moving hoses – accommodates systems with regular movement.
- Durable and long-lasting – experiences less internal stress compared to Break Pin designs.
Breaking Pin (Shear Pin) Breakaway Couplings:
Break Pin Breakaway Couplings provide a robust, precision-engineered solution for emergency hose separation. Instead of cables, these couplings rely on shear pins designed to break at a specific load, ensuring the coupling separates exactly when needed, protecting both the system and surrounding equipment and operators.
Key Benefits of Breaking Pin (Shear Pin) Breakaway Couplings:
- Exact activation point – shear pins break at a predetermined load for precise protection.
- Simple, passive design – fewer moving parts mean high reliability in harsh or corrosive environments.
- Emergency-only operation – ideal for high-risk or high-pressure systems where accidental separation must be avoided.
- Robust and durable – engineered to withstand heavy-duty industrial use.
- Minimal maintenance – straightforward replacement of pins after activation.
At EWFM, we provide a full range of MannTek Breakaway Couplings designed for a variety of applications. Our Industrial Breakaway Couplings protect hoses and equipment in chemical, fuel, and general industrial transfer systems. For marine and jetty operations, our Marine Breakaway Couplings deliver safe, controlled separation even in harsh offshore conditions. We also offer Cryogenic Breakaway Couplings, built to handle extremely low temperatures while keeping operations safe and efficient.
Choosing the right MannTek Breakaway Coupling can significantly improve the safety and reliability of your transfer operations. With options designed for industrial, marine, and cryogenic applications, EWFM helps you find a solution that meets the specific demands of your system. By comparing Cable and Break Pin Breakaway Couplings, you can select a model that provides the perfect balance of safety, durability, and performance.
