Elbow Action Swan Neck Cock

Quick Answer: The Elbow Action Swan Neck Cock is a laboratory tap with a tall, curved swan-neck spout that arches over the sink, leaving plenty of room beneath the outlet, and a long lever that is opened and closed with the elbow.

Clearance Under a Swan-Neck Spout

The name comes from the spout, which rises and then curves over like a swan’s neck. That shape lifts the outlet well above the sink, so tall items fit underneath: measuring cylinders, aspirator bottles, carboys, buckets and long condensers can be filled or rinsed without being tilted. A short pillar or bib cock outlet cannot do this, which is why a swan neck cock is common on laboratory benches.

Swan-neck taps are most often deck-mounted, standing on the sink or worktop and fed from below; the mounting of this model should be checked with the order. With an elbow lever, the tap gives hands-free control, which is useful when both hands are holding a vessel under the outlet. Some laboratory swan-neck taps finish in a serrated nozzle so that tubing can be pushed on, for feeding a condenser or a filter pump; if tubing will be connected, check the outlet form before ordering.

The height that makes the tap useful also brings a downside: water falling from a high outlet into a shallow bowl splashes. It works well over a deep sink, with the lever opened gradually.

Applications

• Filling measuring cylinders, aspirator bottles and carboys in chemistry and preparation rooms.
• Rinsing burettes, condensers and other long glassware held upright under the spout.
• Supplying water to a filter pump or condenser tubing where the outlet accepts a hose.
• General wash-up at deep laboratory sinks in schools and colleges.

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Open the lever slowly when water falls from full height, to limit splashing onto the bench.
• Do not hang bags, cloths or bottles from the swan neck; the curved spout is not built to carry loads.
• Descale the outlet in hard-water areas so the stream stays straight.
• If tubing is fitted to the outlet, secure it, and never leave it running unattended into a sink with the plug in.

Why Choose LabEquip

Chemistry departments, preparation rooms and lab builders choose swan-neck taps for benches where tall glassware is filled every day. LabEquip lists this tap in General Lab Products, and a deep large polypropylene sink is a natural partner for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a swan neck cock?

Because the spout rises and curves over like a swan’s neck. The shape lifts the outlet high above the sink, leaving room beneath it for tall vessels.

What can I fill under a swan neck tap?

Tall items that will not fit under a short spout, such as measuring cylinders, aspirator bottles, carboys, buckets and long condensers held upright for rinsing.

Can tubing be connected to the outlet?

Some laboratory swan-neck taps end in a serrated nozzle for tubing, used to feed a condenser or a water filter pump. If tubing will be attached, check whether this model has such a nozzle before ordering.

Why does a swan neck tap splash?

Water falls further from a high outlet, so it hits the bowl harder. Opening the lever gradually, fitting the tap over a deep sink and keeping the outlet descaled all reduce splashing.

Is the elbow lever necessary on a swan neck tap?

It is useful whenever both hands hold a vessel under the spout, and in labs where hands or gloves may be contaminated. The lever is pushed with the forearm, so the tap itself stays clean.

Does a swan neck tap mix hot and cold water?

Not this one. It controls a single supply. Where warm water is needed, an elbow-action mixer is the right fitting.

Last Updated: September 2026