1/2 GPH Pressure Compensating Dripper-Emitter - Self Piercing Barb x 1/4" Barb Outlet

Product Description

Our self-piercing drip emitter (1/2 gph). The sharp end can be pressed directly into 1/2" or 3/4" solid drip tubing. Pressure compensating emitters deliver a consistent output of water, even with changes in pressure due to long drip tubing runs or changes in elevation. The silicone diaphragm inside the emitter flexes to regulate water output. They are self-flushing and less likely to clog than non pressure-compensating drippers. Install on 1/2" main line drip tubing, 3/4" drip tubing, or 1/4" drip micro tubing. Not sure which type of emitter to buy? Compare all drip emitters.

PCP5 Drip Irrigation Self Piercing Emitter Installed and Watering

Video Transcript

Product Details

• Output: 1/2 gallon per hour
• Self-piercing. Hole punch not needed.
• Recommended Operating Pressure: 10 - 30 PSI
• Red color denotes 1/2 gallon per hour output
• 1/4" barb accepts 1/4" micro tubing
• Pressure compensating
• Self flushing and cleaning
• Consistent 1/2 GPH (gallon per hour) output regardless of water pressure fluctuations
• Install on 1/2" main line drip tubing, 3/4" drip tubing, or 1/4" drip micro tubing.
• Recommended Filtration: 150 - 200 mesh filters

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Tips & Tricks

Upgrade Your Drip Hole Punch & Save Time

A clean cut makes it easier

Some drip irrigation hole punches are shaped like a pencil and simply poke a hole as they push through the tubing. They require more force and can slip off of the drip tubing before they make the hole. The Super Punch (shown here) has a squeeze handle and is only $9.90. A less expensive option is our Deluxe Hole Punch which has a sharp, circular cutting edge. It's comfotable, easy on your hands, and costs only $3.60.

Control Water Flow to Flower Pots With This Little Valve

1/4" Flow Conrol Valve inserts into micro tubing

If you use drip irrigation to water hanging baskets or flower pots, put a 1/4" flow control valve  on each pot. You can reduce the flow or shut it off completely. It's handy if the pot is has not yet been planted and you don't want to water it.

Adjust Water Flow to Garden Boxes With a Flow Control Valve

1/2" Valve fits over mainline tubing

These valves are great when you have garden boxes or drip areas that you may want to turn off seasonally. You can reduce the flow or shut it off completely. 1/2" Flow  Control Valves are installed just like a compression coupler.

Determine Your Soil Type Before Selecting A Drip Emitter

Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil type influences water penetration and runoff. If soil particles are tightly packed (clay soil), water can pool on the surface and eventually flow away from the plants. Water flows quickly through sandy soils. Select low output emitters (1/2gph, 1gph) for clay soil and higher output (2gph, 4gph) for sandy soils. View "Choosing the right Drip Emitter".

FAQ

I want to install my own drip irrigation system. Where do I start?

The best place to start is our Drip Irrigation Basics & Installation Tutorial. You'll learn how to plan & design a drip system, connect to a hose bibb, and how to compare drip emitters.

How do I determine my household water pressure?

Please read our tutorial on Determining Your Household Water Pressure.

How do I determine my water flow rate?

The flow rate is the amount of water flowing through your water supply line. Since drip emitters and micro sprays consume x gallons per hour, it is important to know the flow rate available to feed your emitters. It is measured in gallons per hour (GPH). To determine the flow rate out of your faucet (hose bibb, spigot, hydrant), read our tutorial on Determing Your Flow Rate.

How do I choose the right drip emitter (dripper)?

Drip Irrigation design is flexible. There is no perfect solution. However, there are a few guidelines to consider when choosing & comparing drip emitters. The first consideration is pressure compensating vs. non pressure compensating emitters. Pressure compensating emitters contain a silicone diaphragm that is designed to keep the flow rate consistent.

A pressure compensating emitter will deliver the stated flow rate (e.g. 2 gallons per hour) within a pressure range. The output of non pressure-compensating emitters will vary as the water pressure varies. If you plan to install the maximum number of emitters a mainline, you should consider pressure compensating emitters so that you don’t run out of water flow. Non pressure compensating emitters are designed to operate at 20 psi or less, so they should be installed with a 20 psi drip regulator.   

Pressure Compensating Emitters

• Deliver the stated gph (gallon per hour) even if pressures range from 10-50 psi
• Works well with elevation changes
• Self-flushing to reduce clogging

 

Non-Pressure Compensating Emitters

• The output will vary with changes in pressure and elevation
• Less expensive than pressure compensating emitters
• Recommended pressure: 15-20 psi

 

Chart: Compare all drip emitters

Tutorial: Chosing The Right Drip Emitter

Is a filter required?

While a filter is not required, it is highly recommended. Even the cleanest water has small particles in it that can clog drip emitters. Micro sprays are especially susceptible to clogging as the orifices in micro spray components are especially small. Debris can enter a municipal water supply if a mainline breaks or when there is new construction in the area. Well or lake water should always be filtered. Without a filter, you may need to manually take apart emitters to clean them and remove debris that would have been caught by an inexpensive filter. Compare and buy filters.

How many emitters can I put on a mainline?

 The number of emitters you can put on a single drip system varries with your available water flow, drip tubing size, and emitter water output. This tutorial will detail how many emitters you can put on a drip mainline.

 

Our  Drip Tubing Maximum Run Chart (PDF) will help you compare different scenarios. The maximum pipe run will increase if you use low-output emitters (1/2 gallon-per-hour). Increasing pressure regulator size from a 20 psi regulator to a 30 psi regulator will also extend the distance that you can run drip main line.

 

Can I combine emitters (drippers) and micro sprays on the same line?

You can combine drip emitters, adjustable drip sprayers, and drip micro sprays all on the same poly tubing (mainline) as long as your total gallon output does not exceed the flow rate available. Drip sprayers can use in excess of 30 gallons per hour so keep track of your water output when designing your drip system. For more details, check out these tutorials:

 

Choosing The Right Drip Emitter

How Many Emitters Can I Put On a Mainline?.

Emitter

Also called a dripper, an emitter distributes water droplets at a specified flow rate when used as part of a drip irrigation system. Emitters come in a variety sizes, styles, and flow rates. They have barbed or threaded bases. Barbed ends are either poked into 1/2" drip tubing or inserted into the end of 1/4" tubing. Threaded bases are screwed into micro tubing stakes and risers.

Drip Emitter Tubing  comes with emitters pre-inserted in the tubing. It can be purchased in both 1/2" and 1/4" sizes with emitters spaced from 6 inch to 3 foot intervals.

Inline Emitters  are use to create custom emitter tubing when used with 1/4" solid drip tubing.

Pressure Compensating Emitters distribute a consistent flow rate regardless of fluctuations in pressure.

Non-Pressure-Compensating Emitters will distribute varying flow rates as pressure fluctuates with elevation changes.

Staked Emitters sit on a spike and may distribute water in a spray or stream.

Multi-Outlet Emitters can be installed onto existing sprinkler rises as part of a sprinkler retrofit project. 1/4" tubing is installed on the emitter outlets and run to individual plants.

See also Emitter Tubing, In-line Emitter, Pressure Compensating, Non-Pressure-Compensating.

Filter

A filter contains a screen that is designed to remove particles from irrigation systems. Filters are critical components in a drip irrigation system. Drip emitters may clog if proper filtration is not provided. Typical screen mesh is 120, 150, and 200 mesh. The greater the number, the smaller the openings in the screen. 200 mesh is recommended for foggers (misters).

Pressure Regulator

A device that lowers water pressure on the downstream side and maintains a constant operating pressure. Regulators are commonly used in drip irrigation applications as drip tubing and fittings are usually rated to operate at pressures lower than most household water systems. Always install a regulator after a valve and filter. They are not designed to be operated under constant pressure.

Pressure Compensating

Pressure Compensating Emitters. The output will not vary with changes in elevation and pressure. They deliver the stated gph (gallons per hour) even if pressures range from 10-50 psi. These emitters are best used with elevation changes. They are self-flushing to reduce clogging. See also Emitter, Non-Pressure-Compensating.

Non-Pressure-Compensating

Non-Pressure-Compensating Emitters. The output will vary with changes in elevation and pressure. These emitters are best used where the watering zone is level. Some non-pressure-compensating emitters are used with gravity-fed drip systems. They operate best at lower pressures. Recommended Pressure for most non-p-c emitters: 15-20 psi. See also Emitter, Pressure Compensating.

 

Bug Plug

Also called an "Insect Plug", a bug plug is installed in 1/4" drip tubing to keep insects from entering and clogging the tubing. Bug plugs do not restrict the flow of water to plants.

View our complete glossary of irrigation terms.