Sprinkler & Emitter Technology Flashcards

Which type of drip emitter is installed directly into the main polyethylene supply line and is used in row crops and vineyards?

Answer: Inline emitter (drip tape or in-line drip line)

Inline drip emitters (drip tape and in-line drip line) are factory-installed inside the tubing and are widely used in agricultural and vineyard applications.

What term describes the variation in application rates across multiple sprinkler heads in a zone due to hydraulic differences?

Answer: Coefficient of variation (CV)

The coefficient of variation (CV) quantifies the variability in water output among multiple emission devices; lower CV indicates more uniform distribution.

A root barrier or root guard is installed in subsurface drip systems primarily to:

Answer: Prevent plant roots from clogging emitters

Root intrusion is a common cause of drip emitter clogging in subsurface systems; physical barriers and chemical treatments help prevent it.

What is 'throw radius' for a rotary sprinkler head?

Answer: The horizontal distance water travels from the nozzle

Throw radius is the horizontal distance from the sprinkler head to the farthest point where water reaches the ground at the specified operating pressure.

In a pop-up sprinkler, the term 'pop-up height' refers to:

Answer: The distance the sprinkler stem extends above ground during operation

Pop-up height is the distance the internal stem rises above the cap during operation; taller grass requires greater pop-up height (e.g., 4 or 6 inches).

Which system component is used to reduce mainline pressure to the operating pressure required by drip emitters?

Answer: Pressure regulator

A pressure regulator is installed upstream of the drip zone to reduce domestic or mainline pressure (often 60–80 PSI) to the 20–30 PSI range needed by drip emitters.