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- A -
100% Coverage: A sprinkler system that is designed so that the entire area of the grass, garden, etc. is covered by the sprinkler's spray is said to have 100% coverage.
Angle Valve: A type of valve where the inlet is on the bottom and the outlet is on one side. This type of valve is primarily used as irrigation control valves on a sprinkler system.
Anti-Siphon Valve: A type of irrigation control valve that has a built-in atmospheric vacuum breaker or backflow preventer. Because this valve controls water flow and prevents water from being pulled back through the valve, it is a good option to use in a residential sprinkler system.
Application Rate: See Precipitation Rate.
Arc: The part of a full-circle (360°) covered by a sprinkler. Example: 180° arc = half-circle.
Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker: See Backflow Preventer.
Automatic Valve: A type of valve that is controlled remotely either electrically or hydraulically. Electrical valves are most often used in sprinkler systems.
- B -
Back Flow: Reversed flow of water or other substance in a system.
Backflow Preventer: A device that prevents water or other substances from being sucked backwards into a system. These devices can include: Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker, Pressure Vacuum Breaker, Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly, Check Valve, and Double Check Assembly. Most places require a Backflow Device to be installed in any irrigation system- check your city building codes to find which one is required in your area.
Ball Valve: A type of manual valve that controlls water flow by a rotating ball with a hole through the center of it. Water can flow through the valve when the hole is lined up with the inlet and outlet of the valve, but the water is stopped when the hole is not lined up.
Bubbler: A type of water emitter with a threaded inlet that emitts or bubbles out water a short distance and at a slower rate than a regular sprinkler. Bubbler are typically used in flower beds and shrubs.
Bushing: A fitting that is used to connect two pieces of pipe that are different sizes. Typically has a male end for the larger pipe which overlapps a female end for the smaller pipe. Also called a Reducer.
Booster Pump: A pump that is used to increase the water pressure on a system. Commonly used in applications where minimal pressure is supplied and so larger pressure is needed to work with an irrigation system.
- C -
Check Valve: A valve that allows water to flow in only one direction. These valves are commonly used with sprinkler heads to prevent water from draining out after the system has been turned off.
Controller: Also called a "Timer", this electric device is used to controll when and how long a sprinkler system will be running. The controller is wired to the electric valves of a system and signals them to open or close. Controllers come in a variety of configurations with uses that range from simple residential systems to large commercial projects. When choosing a controller, select one that supports the number of zones or valves in your system.
Corrugated Pipe: Pipe which has deep grooves, allowing it to be relatively strong but light weight. The ribs allow for the settlement of debris and creates much more friction loss (pressure) than regular smooth walled pipe, slowing down the water to lesten erosion at the end. Often used to carry rainwater. Some corrugated pipe is perferated to allow water to leak out gradually along the length of the pipe.
Coupling: A fitting used to join two sections of pipe together.
Cross: A fitting used to join four pieces of pipe together.
Curb Stop Valve: A valve similar to a ball valve except it has a circular disk in the center and does not have an attached handle.
- D -
Design Pressure: The ammount of pressure intended for a sprinkler design to function correctly.
Drip Irrigation: A type of irrigation system that uses parts like emitters and micro-sprays to apply water in small application rates and close to the ground. These systems are good for flower beds, gardens, shrubs, etc.
Drip System : An irrigation system that uses drip irrigation.
- E -
Ell: A fitting used to connect two pieces of pipe at a 90° angle.
Emitter: A device used in drip irrigation systems that emits water slowly in a drip or trickle pattern.
- F -
Female Adapter: A pvc or poly pipe fitting that converts from slip (pvc) or insert (poly) to a female thread.
FIPT: Acronym for Female Iron Pipe Thread.
Fittings: Parts used to connect different pieces of a system together. Includes tees, elbows, couplers, bushings, adapters, etc.
Flow Rate: The ammount of water passing a point in a given period of time.
Funny Pipe: Used as a flexible connection between the lateral line and the sprinkler. Not the same as Poly Pipe.
- G -
Gallons Per Hour (GPH): A measurement of water flow representing the number of gallons passing per hour.
Gate Valve: A type of valve consisting of a seated slide of gate that is lifted or lowered to start or stop the flow of water.
Globe Valve: A type of electric valve typically used in sprinkler systems that consists of an internal diaphragm and seat that opens or closes the valve.
Gallons Per Minute (GPM): A measurement of water flow representing the number of gallons passing per minute.
- H -
Head: Short for "sprinkler head".
Head to Head Coverage: Describes the positioning of sprinkler heads in such a way that one sprinkler's spray reached the head of the next sprinkler. Sprinkler systems designed with head to head coverage provide better application uniformity.
- I -
Impact Sprinkler Head: A sprinkler that rotates using a weighted or spring-loaded arm that is propelled by the water stream and hits the sprinkler body, causing movement. These sprinklers are typically used for applications requiring a large application rate and distance.
- L -
Laterial: Another name for the main pipe line that supplies a system, or mainline.
Low Head Drainage: Situation where water drains out of lower-set sprinkler heads when the system has been turned off. Can be prevented by installing a check valve.
- M -
Mainline: The main pipes supplying water to the entire system.
Male Adapter: A pvc or poly pipe fitting that converts from slip (pvc) or insert (poly) to a male thread.
Master Valve: Main valve at the head or beginning of the system.
Manifold: Closely spaced mainline piping that connects valves or laterals.
Mesh: The mesh number refers to the number of openings in one linear inch of screen in a filter.
Micro Irrigation: Another name for Drip Irrigation.
Micron: Microns represent the average size of the openings between pieces of the filter media.
MIPT: Acronym for Male Iron Pipe Thread.
Moisture Sensor: Device that senses and monitors levels of soil wetness.
- N -
Nipple: A short length of pipe with male threads on both ends. Commonly used beneath sprinklers as risers to extend the height of the head.
Nozzle: The part of the sprinkler where water comes out. A spray head nozzle determines the lenth of the throw and the pattern of the water for a spray head sprinkler. A rotor sprinkler nozzle determines the length of the throw for a rotor sprinkler.
- O -
Operating Pressure: Represents the water pressure at the sprinkler head. Also, the pressure an irrigation device is designed to operate at.
- P -
Polyethylene: The material that makes the flexible (black) tubing used in irrigation, or Poly Pipe. "Poly" for short.
Poly Vinyl Chloride: The real name for PVC. Semi-rigid plastic material that makes PVC pipe.
Pop-up Sprinkler Head: A sprinkler head that pops up when the system is running and retracts when the system is turned off. Pop-ups include some Spray Heads, and some Rotors. When installed correctly, pop-up sprinklers will not stick up off the ground when the system is off-- thus protecting them from lawn mowers and other potential damage.
Precipitation Rate: The rate at which a sprinkler applies water to a given area.
Pressure Head: a uniform measure of a pumps ability to do work on a liquid regardless of specific gravity. Specific gravity is a comparison of a fluids' density compared to water-- the specific gravity of water = 1. Head and PSI are related by the following formula: PSI = head in feet * specific gravity *434.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB): A type of backflow preventer.
Pressure Loss: The amount of pressure lost as water runs through a system.
Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI): Unit of measure for pressure. Number of pounds of pressure per square inch.
Pump: A device which increases the water pressure or moves water.
PVC: Abbreviation for poly-vinyl-chloride.
- Q -
Quick Coupling Valve: A valve used to easily connect to a mainline. A quick coupling key is needed to open the valve.
- R -
Rain Sensor: A device used in conjunction with a sprinkler controller that senses rainfall and will subsequently turn the system off.
Reduced Pressure Backflow Preventer: Type of Backflow Preventer.
Reducer: A fitting used to connect tow pieces of pipe that are different sizes.
Riser: A connection used to extend the height of a sprinkler head. Typically nipples are used in conjunction with other fittings to achieve the needed height.
Rotary Sprinkler Nozzle: A spray head nozzle designed to provide matched precipitation application and decrease water waste. It projects multiple streams of water as it rotates.
Rotor Sprinkler: A sprinkler that rotates due to internal gears.
- S -
SCH 40: A set of standards for pipe diameter and wall thickness used for both plastic and steel pipe. SCH 40 pipe is the standard type used for water pipes sized 1 1/2" and smaller.
SCH 80: A set of standards for pipe diameter and wall thickness used for both plastic and steel pipe. SCH 80 is a similar standard having thicker walls than SCH 40.
Shrub Sprinkler Head: A sprinkler head designed to water shrubs. It does not retract into the ground like a pop-up, but is mounted up on a pipe or riser to acheive height.
Slip: Describes a type of connection type without threads.
Spray Head: A sprinkler that sprays a fixed pattern and does not rotate.
Sprinkler: Irrigation devices that distribute water over an area. Includes: Rotors, Spray Heads, Impact Sprinklers, Wobblers, etc.
Square Spacing: Term for spacing sprinklers in a square pattern. More effective than triangle spacing.
- T -
Tee: A fittings used to connect three pieces of pipe.
Triangle Spacing: Term for spacing sprinklers in a triangular pattern. Less effective than square spacing.
Trickle Irrigation: Another name for drip irrigation.
- V -
Valve: A device used to control the flow of water. See also Ball Valve, Check Valve, Curb Stop Valve, Gate Valve, Globe Valve, Master Valve, and Quick Coupling Valve.
- W -
Water Hammer: A device used to measure the quantity of water that flows through a pipe. Can be corrected with a Water Hammer Arrestor.
Water Meter: A device used to measure the quantity of water that flows through a pipe.
Winterization: The process of draining a sprinkler system of water in preparation of coming freezing temperatures. When water freezes it expands, and if it freezes in pipes the expanding can cause the pipes to break.