Fittings Buying Guide
The mainline and drip tubing are some of the main components and the backbone in a drip irrigation system but that is not all you need; fittings are required to complete any system. There are several options when it comes to fittings in an irrigation system. So, knowing which fitting type to choose from all the available options can be difficult if you are new to irrigation. This guide will help answer some of those questions and help you make the right decision.
Easy Loc (Perma Loc) Fittings
Our Easy Loc fittings, also known as Perma Loc fittings are manufactured by Irritec, one of the most dependable and trusted brands in the irrigation industry.
Easy loc fittings, as the name implies, are extremely easy to use and reuse. The fitting is made up of two parts: the fittings body with barb, and the tightening nut or collar. Easy Loc fittings are made from durable, UV and chemical-resistant material for unmatched performance and reliability. They come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. The size of the fitting is easily identified by a number on the collar.
DripWorks carries 4 sizes of Easy Loc fittings:
500 series- 16mm (about 0.63 in) tubing with an ID range of 0.510"-0.580" and wall thickness of 0.035"-0.055"
600 series- 18mm tubing with an ID range of 0.590"-0.630" and a wall thickness of 0.025"-0.050"
800 series- 3/4" tubing with an ID range of 0.790"-0.845" and a wall thickness of 0.045"-0.065"
1000 series- 1" tubing with an ID range of 1.025"-1.085" and a wall thickness of 0.045"-0.065"
The 1/2" Easy Loc fittings (600 series) will fit the Irritec 1/2" poly mainline and 1/2" Emitter Tubing from DripWorks. The 3/4" Easy Loc fittings (800 series) fits our 3/4" poly mainline, and the 1" Easy Loc fittings (1000 series) fits our 1" oval hose.
DripWorks carries the Netafim Techlock 17mm fittings. These are similar to Easy Loc fittings in design. These have a locking nut collar that holds the tubing in place and makes them easy to remove and reuse. The 17mm Techlock fittings fit tubing with an inside diameter range of 0.530"-0.560" and an outside diameter range of 0.600"-0.660". The operating pressure range is 0-100 PSI.
To use the fitting, you will screw the collar back, exposing the barb. Then you need to push the tubing over the barb. Make sure the tubing is over the barb as much as possible. Then turn the collar counterclockwise to tighten it over the top of the tubing. This locks the tubing in place and creates a tight seal. These fittings are reusable, and the locking collar makes it easy to remove and reuse as needed.
Barbed Fittings
Barb fittings are easy to use and quick to work with. Economical and low-maintenance, barbed fittings make excellent irrigation barbed connectors. You can use these simple, slip-in fittings with Oval Hose, Polyethylene Mainline Tubing or 1/2" Emitter Tubing. The barb has rigid teeth that keep the tubing from detaching from the fittings. If you have 20 PSI or more in the irrigation system, a hose clamp or crimping clamp is needed to secure the tubing over the barb. DripWorks carries two options of barbed fittings to fit your budget. Barb fittings are available from 1/2" up to 2" in size. A barbed fitting is sized by the ID range of the tubing because the barb is inserted into the tubing. When you aren't sure about your poly tubing's size, a barbed fitting will be your best choice. Tubing can be stretched to go over the barb if it is a bit smaller or use a clamp to create a tight seal if the tubing is slightly larger.
DripWorks carries barbed fittings made from PVC in a wide variety of fitting types from female hose adapters to elbows and reducing tees. The PVC is extremely durable, and these fittings can be used multiple times, but the tubing must be cut off from the fitting.
DripWorks also has an Economy line of barbed fittings, available in 1/2" and 3/4" sizes, and a limited style of fittings, to keep you on budget. These fittings are made of sturdy plastic.
DripWorks also carries Netafim barbed fittings for 12mm and 17mm tubing. The 17mm barbed fittings are compatible with an inside diameter range of 0.56"-.060". The 12mm barbed fittings are compatible with an inside diameter of 0.426".
Compression Fittings
A compression goes over the outside of the tubing. It has shark bite-type teeth on the inside of the fitting that hold onto the tubing and secure it in place. Think back to when you were a kid and you had one of those Chinese finger traps that we'd all get our fingers stuck in and then freak out a little bit. That is basically what a compression fitting is. Compression fittings do not need clamps to hold them in place.
Compression fittings are sized by the outer diameter of your tubing. DripWorks carries compression fittings in both 1/2" and 3/4" sizes. It is important with compression fittings to know the outside diameter (OD) of your poly tubing to ensure a correct fit.
Our 1/2" compression fittings will fit on poly tubing with an OD range of 0.680"-0.720"
Our 3/4" compression fittings fit with poly tubing with an OD range of 0.880"-0.970"
Compression fittings are extremely economical compared to Easy Loc fittings. They are rated for pressures of up to 50 PSI. Once they are securely on the tubing, they do not come off, making them reliable in the field. A compression fitting is not generally a reusable fitting, but if you cut the tubing at the start of the fitting, and then carefully cut the tubing out of the fitting, it can be reused.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned about the many fitting types available at DripWorks, you are able to decide which fittings are the best fit for your irrigation system. If you are on a budget, consider the compression type or Economy line of barb fittings as they will perform well at a lower cost.
For fast and easy installation, the Easy loc fittings are the right choice, no clamps or tools required to install, and they can be reused.
For durable and long-lasting fittings, the PVC barb fittings will be the right choice. We are sure that this guide will help you choose the right fitting for your irrigation system.
If you have any questions, contact us at 800-522-3747 or visit us at DripWorks.com to learn more about our fittings and products.