| APPLICATION RATE |
The design rate at which water will
be applied by the irrigation system, expessed as millimetres per week
(mm/wk). This will vary for plants, soils and climate types. |
| ARC |
Describes how far around in a circular
pattern a sprinkler will rotate. |
| ANTI-DRAINVALVE |
A device which is installed either
within or below a sprinkler. These devices are spring loaded and open
at a preset level to prevent water in lateral lines draining out when
the lawn sprinkler is not in use. |
| BUBBLER |
Generic term for a small outlet device
which literally bubbles water into the ground at a specific location. |
| CONTROLLER |
Also known as a timer, the part of
an automatic system that determines when an irrigation system is to
operate and for how long.
Types range from simple battery timers to mains powered units which
control larger multi-zone irrigation systems. |
| DISTRIBUTION TUBE |
Small (4mm) black flexible tube to
connect drippers etc. to the larger lateral line. |
| DOUBLE CHECKVALVE |
A device installed immediately prior
to the watering outlet (tap) to prevent backflow of water and possible
contamination of the water supply. A requirement of the water byelaws
in the UK. |
| DRIPPER/EMITTER |
A single or multi outlet device with
a controlled output to water slowly and gently over a small area.
Various types are available and better quality units are pressure
compensated to provide accurate rates of flow. |
| FILTER |
A device for preventing debris etc.,
from entering a system. The filter usually incorporates a small mesh
screen and drainvalve for cleaning. Generally installed at the point
of connection for leaky pipe, microspray and drip watering systems. |
| FLOW |
The measurement of the volume of
water moving through a given pipe/system over a period of time. Usually
expressed in litres per minute (lpm). Flow and pressure are affected
by each other. |
| FRICTION LOSS |
The loss of pressure through a pipe/system
etc. caused by the friction (drag) of the system components. As flow
increases in any given pipe so will friction loss, therefore reducing
the available pressure at the outlet. |
| FUNNY PIPE |
Generic name for tough flexible piping
used to connect underground sprinklers to the lateral line. Enables
sprinklers to be easily positioned for height and location. |
| GLOBAL ADJUSTMENT |
A feature of modern controllers whereby
the user can adjust any program to increase or decrease the watering
time without adjusting every zone. |
| GREENHOUSE IRRIGATION |
The provision of water to plants in a greenhouse to supplement rainfall. |
| HEAD TO HEAD |
This describes the ideal placement
of sprinkler/spray heads in relation to each other. In simple terms
sprinklers/sprays should be spaced as far apart as the radius of throw.
This ensures optimum coverage and even watering. |
| LATERAL |
Non pressurized pipe from the solenoid
valve to the sprinklers/sprays etc... |
| LEAKY PIPE |
Trade name for porous pipe technology
which allows water to emit from the walls of the tube at low pressure
rather than from specific points in the tube. Max. piping runs of
50 metres are possible. |
| LDPE |
Low density polyethylene pipe used
for microspray and drip irrigation systems. Available in coils up
to 400 metres in length. Black in colour, easily cut and joined using
barbed fittings. Usually pressure rated up to 4 bar. |
| LOW HEAD DRAINAGE |
Occurs when water left in lateral
lines after irrigation drains out of the lowest outlet, especially
noted on sloping sites. Easily prevented by fitting anti drainvalve
as described above. |
| MAIN |
Pressurized piping running from point
of supply (pump etc) to the solenoid control valves. |
| MDPE |
Medium density polyethylene pipe
used within sprinkler and spray systems. Available in coils up to
150 metres long. Should be black in colour for irrigation systems.
Easily cut and joined with compression and saddle type fittings. Usually
pressure rated to 6, 9 or 12 bar. |
| MICROSPRAY |
Small spray type units mounted on
low spikes which can be located in shrub beds, borders etc.. The units
operate at low flows and pressures and can be moved via the small
connection tube to suit the planting as it matures. |
| MIST SPRAY |
A very fine spray jet used within
greenhouses etc., for the watering of plant benches etc... |
| POP-UP |
A sprinkler designed to be buried
in the soil which literally pops up under water pressure to commence
watering. Generally used to water lawn/turf areas, some spray heads
are also manufactured to allow watering of borders from the lawn edge
so that no equipment is visible when the system is off. |
| PRECIPITATION RATE |
expressed in millimeters per hour
(mm/hr), this is the rate at which water is being applied by the sprinklers/sprays
etc... It is a function of outlet flow and spacing of equipment together
with the arc of operation. For example a sprinkler spraying 180 degrees
will apply twice the water that the same sprinkler will apply over
360 degrees in the same time. Some sprinklers have matched precipitation
rates by design. |
| PRESSURE |
The measurement of force within a
system, usually expressed in Bar or Pounds per square inch (psi).
Static pressure is measured when no water is flowing and dynamic pressure
is measured when water is flowing. Pressure and flow are affected
by each other. |
| PRESSURE COMPENSATING DRIPLINE |
A small (16 or 20mm) tube in which
drip emitters are located within the tubing at preset spacing. The
emitters are pressure compensating which ensure that output is strictly
controlled over the entire length of the tube. Max. piping runs up
to 150 metres are possible. |
| PRESSURE REGULATOR |
A small adjustable device installed
at the point of connection for leaky pipe, microspray and drip watering
systems to regulate a variable inlet pressure to a constant outlet
pressure. |
| PROGRAM |
The information entered into a controller
(timer) that determines when the system will water. A program for
an automatic controller (timer) contains 3 pieces of information;
what days to water, what time to start and how long to water each
zone. |
| QUICK COUPLING VALVE |
A permanently installed valve which
allows direct access to the irrigation main for the use of hoses or
mobile sprinklers. A key is required to open the valve. |
| RADIUS OF THROW |
The distance that a particular sprinkler/spray
will send out water under a given pressure/flow. |
| RAIN SENSOR |
A small device fitted to the eaves
of the building which enables a watering system to be controlled via
local rainfall. The unit can be adjusted for various levels of rainfall
and will turn off automatic controllers independently of any programs
set. The unit will reset when the garden dries out automatically.
Prevents overwatering. |
| ROTORS |
Gear driven sprinklers that spray
a solid stream of water and rotate slowly in a circular pattern, generally
from 5-23 metres radius. Used for watering large areas eg; lawns. |
| SOLENOID VALVE |
An automatic valve operating under
low voltage (24v AC) which may be remotely located in the landscape
and controlled via a signal cable from the central controller (timer). |
| SPRAY HEADS |
Sprinklers that emit a fan type spray
of small droplets of water, generally from 0.5-5 metres radius. Used
for watering small areas such as shrub beds, borders. |
| SHRUB SPRINKLER |
A sprinkler installed on a fixed,
above ground riser within a planted area. |
| TRAVELLER |
A sprinkler unit which propels itself
along via the water pressure operating the sprinkler. Various types
are manufactured which either operate via a pull wire or follow the
layout of the hose supplying the water. Most units have an automatic
shut off at the end of the run. |
| TRIPLE SWING JOINT |
A purpose designed three way joint
for connecting underground sprinklers to the lateral line. Used generally
in commercial and professional watering systems under sports turf
where damage to sprinklers may occur from tractors and large grass
cutting machinery. |
| ZONE |
A zone is the area to be watered
by one solenoid valve. |
