Q. What are the 4 required components of a sprinkler system?

Answer

The four required components of a sprinkler system are:The pump: Mini sprinkler systems utilize a pump (driven by either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine) to pump water under pressure over to the fields. The pressurized water is fed through the mini sprinklers via tubing to create a fine water spray. These water pumps are of two types — (i) A centrifugal pump is usually used when the water source is an ordinary well i.e., the surface of the water is within 25 feet from the inlet valve of the pump. (ii) A turbine pump is used in case the water needs to be pumped from much deeper bore wells. Pipes and tubing: The tubing is usually divided into two main components — (i) The mainline along with the sub-mainline and (ii) the laterals. The former supplies water from the source (well or borewell) and distributes it to the sub-mainline. The latter then carry this water to the laterals. Finally, the laterals transport this water to the sprinkler head for irrigation.Couplers: Couplers are essential components that are used to couple (connect) and uncouple (disconnect) two pipes effectively. Since couplings are made and undone throughout the lifespan of the sprinkler system, couplers must be durable, resist leakages at the joints, and offer easy coupling and uncoupling throughout their service lives.Sprinkler head: The sprinkler head is the business end of the mini sprinkler system — its job is to distribute water evenly over the target area while also minimizing water loss stemming from groundwater recharge. Sprinkler heads are primarily of two types — (i) rotating type heads and (ii) fixed type heads. While rotating type heads are most commonly used by farmers to irrigate the crops in their fields, fixed type heads are only suitable for irrigation of much smaller areas, such as lawns and small gardens.