We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Automatic Lawn Sprinkler?

By R. Anacan
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 5,603
Share

An automatic lawn sprinkler is an irrigation system that provides programmable capability. This enables the user to predetermine and set when the automatic lawn sprinkler turns on and off and the duration of operation. Automatic sprinkler systems help conserve water and are often more effective and convenient than manually watering a lawn or using garden hose-based irrigation.

An automatic lawn sprinkler system generally consists of four main parts. The first part of the system is the water line that provides the water to the sprinklers. The water supply for an irrigation system generally branches off from the main water supply for a home or building. This enables the user to turn off the water to the irrigation system when not needed, without affecting the flow of water to the building.

The second part of automatic lawn sprinkler systems are the valves that control the flow of water to the sprinklers. Many automatic sprinkler systems are divided into separate irrigation zones and each zone has a valve. As water flows from the main water line to the irrigation system, the valves start and stop the flow of water to individual irrigation areas or zones. The use of separate watering zones allow for greater control and customization during irrigation.

The third part of the system consists of the sprinklers themselves. The sprinklers are the component that distributes water to the lawn or garden. When not in use, sprinkler heads are generally flush with the ground. While in use, water pressure forces the sprinkler heads up above ground level.

The fourth part of an automatic sprinkler system is the control panel, which functions as the brain of the sprinkler system. This is where the user sets the start and stop times and the duration that the sprinklers are to operate. When a particular zone is programmed to run, the control panel sends a signal to the valve controlling water into that specific zone. When the valve is open, water flows to the sprinkler heads and the sprinklers turn on.

When the irrigation period for a zone is over the control panel sends a signal to the valve that tells it to close, which turns the sprinklers off. This process is carried out for all of the irrigation zones in an automatic sprinkler system. While an automatic lawn sprinkler system may be installed as a “do-it-yourself” project, many recommend that the design and installation of a full system be performed by a professional contractor.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-an-automatic-lawn-sprinkler.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.