Article Introduction
Understanding irrigation pipe sizes is essential when you are working with PVC pipes. Every PVC pipe is measured in different ways using different metrics, and knowing how to understand these measurements is essential in finding and using the right sized pipes.
Irrigation systems are used everywhere, from residential and commercial gardens, backyards, golf courses, and farms among others. Given the broad and many uses of irrigation pipes, it would be beneficial to learn more about their specificities. Regardless of use, whether you’re a plumber, builder, irrigator, or even an auto mechanic speak a similar language.
Irrigation pipes are measured based on their diameter, thickness and the thickness of the pipe wall. This information is used to connect PVC pipes to other compatible pipes, and ensure the thickness of the pipe is suitable for your application.
In this article, we will specifically be tackling the sizing of irrigation pvc pipes, how they are measured, and how their measurements affect the performance and output of irrigation systems. Continue reading if you want to learn more!
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is a method which reduces the use of water by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. There are many advantages of using drip irrigation.
These include:
1. Water savings, since only those areas directly around plant root zones are irrigated.
2. Plants undergo less stress from variations in soil moisture.
3. Slow application rate prevents excess surface water build-up and reduces evaporation.
4. Weed growth is reduced because areas between plants are not irrigated.
5. System can be designed for use in all types of terrain and soil conditions.
6. Low flow rate allows irrigation of larger areas and more plants can be watered at once.
These and other benefits are only possible to the user when a drip irrigation system is properly de-signed, managed, and maintained.
Why Is Pipe Size Important In irrigation
Understanding which pipe sizes to use is critical as this affects both flow rate and water pressure. Pipes, regardless of the type, inherently have rough internal surfaces. The internal surface of these pipes cause friction to the flowing water, which reduces the water pressure.
This is known in some parts of the world as “burning” the water pressure. The loss in water pressure due to friction is formally known as ‘head-loss’.
With this in mind, you’d understand that since water has to travel faster in smaller pipes, more water pressure is lost to friction. Decreased water pressure is bad if you have long pipelines which end in sprinklers in your irrigation system — you need a certain amount of water pressure to keep the sprinklers working as intended.
If your irrigation system utilises a number of sprinklers, or any other irrigation device that requires an ample amount of pressure, then it would be wiser to use larger pipes to maintain or minimise the loss of pressure. Alternatively, you may need to choose sprinklers for low water pressure or consider a pressure booster pump.
Remember, flow rate and pressure are different, though they are related and impact one another.
System Design
The system uses ½, ¾, or 1 inch PVC pipe, fittings, and manual valves. Depending on care, life expec-tancy of the materials is 10 to 12 years. All lines and fittings, before the manual valves, are glued to handle high water pressure. Lateral lines are not glued to make the system flexible in row place-ment. Lateral lines can be changed and moved quite easily depending on the type of plants grown.
How Do I Know What Size Irrigation Pipe I Need
- The best way to know what size irrigation pipe you need is to use the markings found on existing pipes to purchase the same type and thickness from your irrigation supplier. Failing that, bringing a sample piece will allow you to match existing pipes with those available in store.
- Knowing your current tap flow rate will also be beneficial when choosing PVC pipe sizes. Every irrigation system has a different flow rate which will not only affect the piping you choose, but will actually affect your plants. Flow rate will affect the size and thickness of the pipes that you use, the way you water your plants and how effectively those plants will grow. Without accurate flow and pressure measurements, you could waste time and money installing pipes that are inefficient or incompatible with your tap flow rate.
- It is also worth mentioning that not all material has the exact same thread size and pitch. Brass, PVC, LDPE, Nylon, Stainless Steel, Gal, Aluminium and other pipe or pipe fitting materials may all have minor variations and may therefore not have a perfect screw fit. Always use some form of thread sealant when binding threaded fittings, such as thread sealant tape for poly pipe or pipe thread sealant for PVC pipe.
Summarize
The size of the PVC pipe used in the drip irrigation system depends on the size of the system, the flow requirements, and the water source pressure. The following is a summary of the common PVC pipe size selection for drip irrigation:
- Main pipe (delivering the main water source): PVC 50mm (2 inches) to 110mm (4 inches) or even larger pipes are usually used, and the specific size depends on the flow and irrigation area.
- Branch pipe (connecting the main pipe with the drip irrigation pipe): Common sizes are PVC 25mm (1 inch) to 50mm (2 inches), suitable for small and medium-sized farmland or garden drip irrigation.
- Capillary tube (drip irrigation tape or drip irrigation pipe connection pipe): Generally PVC 16mm (1/2 inch) or 20mm (3/4 inch), used to connect drippers or drip irrigation tapes to directly deliver water to the roots of crops.
Precautions for selecting PVC pipes:
- Water pressure requirements: High-pressure drip irrigation systems require thicker-walled PVC pipes (such as PN10 or PN16 grades).
- Irrigation area: Large areas require larger-diameter main pipes to ensure uniform water flow.
- Economical: PVC pipes are stronger and more durable than PE pipes, but the cost is higher. PE pipes can be used instead for small drip irrigation systems.
Applicable scenarios:
- Large-scale drip irrigation in farmland: PVC main pipes of 50mm and above, and branch pipes of 25-50mm.
- Greenhouse drip irrigation: branch pipes can be 20-32mm, and capillary pipes can be 16mm.
- Orchard drip irrigation: main pipes are generally 50-90mm, and branch pipes are 25-40mm.
Reasonable selection of PVC pipe size helps to improve drip irrigation efficiency and reduce water waste.
About SAM-UK
SAM-UK are a professional 18+ years manufacturer in producing vinyl building profile products and PVC , CPVC , PPH , PPR , PP pipes and pipe fittings, valves, taps and so on. We own the certificates of SGS\SONCAP\ISO9001\CE\NSF，support color /size customization. Welcome to consult for Catalog and Product. you can contact us at email sales@sam-uk.com
