Irrigation valves regulate water flow in sprinkler systems for parks, golf courses, and home lawns. Globe valves are common in commercial systems, while anti-siphon valves are used in residential applications. Plastic and brass materials are used to make valves. Multiple sprinkler valves allow water to reach different areas at different times, and a master valve connects the water source to the irrigation controller. Irrigation has been used since ancient times and includes canal and terrace irrigation.
An irrigation valve regulates the one-way flow of water in an irrigation system. These valves are often found in sprinkler systems used for parks, golf courses and home lawns. They help control the flow of water in above ground systems as well as buried systems that have been buried well below the surface to present a less cluttered and more attractive landscape.
There are two main types of irrigation valves. The most common type of irrigation valve, at least among commercial irrigation systems, is the globe valve, also known as an angle valve. It gets its name from its sphere or globe shaped body. Newer brands of globe valves no longer have a spherical shape. What makes a globe valve different from other valve types is the internal use of a circular plug design that moderates the flow of water.
The anti-siphon valve is another type of valve that tends to be more commonly used in residential applications. This type of irrigation valve has two chambers as opposed to the single chamber design of the more popular globe valve. Siphon valves also have a built-in backflow preventer, unlike globe valves.
Traditionally, irrigation valves were made only of metal. More recently, plastic is being used as a cheaper alternative. Plastic irrigation valves are usually durable enough for home and even industrial use. Manufacturers also sell more high-end valves molded from material such as brass that can better withstand sudden changes in water and pressure changes caused by blockages.
Irrigation valves play an important role in irrigation systems. In-ground sprinkler systems often have multiple sprinkler valves to allow water to travel to different areas of a large section of land. Water can reach different areas at different times, which means that sprinkler heads don’t work at the same time. This is especially useful since many systems don’t have enough water pressure to activate all of the sprinkler heads at once. Each sprinkler head is regulated by a meter which is connected to the irrigation valve, ensuring that water is sprayed at the proper interval.
Most sprinkler systems are connected to their water source by a master valve. The master valve, sometimes called an emergency shutoff valve, connects the water source via a circuit to the irrigation controller. The irrigation controller, or control valve, in turn, allows water to travel to different zone valves, which in turn distribute the water to the sprinklers.
The origins of irrigation predate recorded history and likely began when humans began growing crops. Early forms include canal irrigation and terrace irrigation. Canal irrigation uses man-made streams dug into fields, with smaller ditches diverting water to crop lines. Terrace irrigation involves levels of different heights dug into the landscape itself, allowing water to flow downstream onto a descending row of cultivated terraces.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
