Grab the appropriate spreadsheet for the type pipe you plan to use. Here’s a page with calculators for almost every type of pipe: Friction Loss Calculator Spreadsheets You will need a spreadsheet Friction Loss Calculator. PSI: Pounds per square inch, a measure of water pressure. GPM: Gallons per minute, a measure of water flow rate. In other words, all the sprinkler heads that start working when you turn on the valve are part of the same valve circuit. Valve circuit: a single valve, and all the pipe, fittings and sprinkler heads downstream from it. Most often it is an electric valve operated by a timer. Mainline: The pipe that goes from the water source to the control valves.Ĭontrol Valve: The valve that turns on and off a group of sprinklers. Lateral pipe: all the pipes between the control valve and the sprinkler heads. This method involves trying various pipe sizes until a good combination is found.
Pipe flow expert tutorial trial#
TRIAL & ERROR METHOD TO DETERMINE LATERAL PIPE SIZE USING A SPREADSHEET Polyethylene, PEX, and copper are usually referred to as tube. Steel and PVC plastic are generally called pipe. Bad habit of mine (note that by reading carefully, you have found one of my faults!) The difference is the material they are made from. Is it Pipe or Tube? For the most part I use the term “pipe” rather than “tube” on this page and elsewhere. Which of course, is a good reason! For those who want more specifics on this, there is a very boring scientific explanation at the bottom of this page. The reason we use smaller pipe is to save money.
So one more time to drill it into your head– You don’t decrease the pipe size to keep the pressure up- or down for that matter. I’ve had clients tell me they were told to use a smaller pipe to keep the pressure up by tech support people at some of the major sprinkler manufacturer’s. It’s another of those hard to grasp hydraulic principles! Just remember that when it comes to pipe, bigger is better! I’m always amazed at how many irrigation equipment sales people don’t know this most basic of irrigation rules. This is because the smaller pipe creates more pressure loss due to friction and turbulence as the water flows through it. Contrary to what might appear to be true, forcing water into a smaller pipe REDUCES the water pressure, and hurts sprinkler performance. No, I don’t own stock in an irrigation pipe manufacturer and I’m not getting kickbacks for pushing bigger pipe! Unlike clothing, pipe can never be “too large”. Using a larger size pipe is ALWAYS the safest choice. If you are uncertain whether to use a 3/4″ or 1″ pipe, then you should use the 1″. It will not harm anything to use a larger pipe size. First a tip that just may save your behind! When in doubt, always use a larger diameter pipe!
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