Sprinkler System Basics

All automatic sprinkler systems consist of three major components which are required to water your landscape efficiently.

Controller: Also are referred to as timer, clock, or control panel.

Valves: Also referred to as shut-off valves, control valves, or solenoid valves.

Sprinklers: Also are referred to as rotors, spray heads, oscillators, impacts, emitters, drippers, misters, shrub heads, or bubblers.

The controller enables you to efficiently manage your sprinkler system from one central location. It sends an electrical signal to the valves which causes them to open and close. The controller is programmed to operate the valves at specific times of day, for a specified duration, on specific days of the week.

The valves are connected to your main water source, and provide water to your sprinklers via PVC pipe or flexible tubing. When the valve gets a signal from the controller to open, water is allowed to flow through the valve and pipes and is disbursed by your sprinklers. Each valve receives the signal and power from the controller using a control wire. This wire is connected to the terminal strip inside of your controller, buried underground, and ultimately connected to the solenoid on your valve. The solenoid is a small electrical coil with two wires which allow your valve to be opened and closed electrically. Each valve is assigned a number and is connected to the corresponding number on the controller’s terminal strip. This “station number” corresponds to the area watered by the group of sprinklers controlled by the valve.  

The sprinklers are installed in groups, commonly called watering zones or simply “zones”. Each valve controls the sprinklers in a zone. It is best to design your sprinkler layout to accommodate different types of plants (grass, trees, vegetables, etc) and weather conditions (sun, shade, and wind). Since water output varies with the type of sprinkler installed, be sure to group sprinkler types together on the same zone.

Here's a list of all the parts discussed in this tutorial.

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