As the cost of water rises and more people strive for smarter water use, flow sensors are becoming an important addition to irrigation systems.
A flow sensor measures your irrigation water use and flow and can work with an irrigation controller to:
Today, many smart irrigation controllers have the ability to read flow sensor data. The flow sensor sends a digital pulse to the controller and the controller interprets the information to measure water use, and alert you to a “no flow” zone, a leak or other issues.
Large parks and golf courses have been using flow sensors and controllers that monitor flow for years, but now this technology is more affordable and easier to install for homeowners and other irrigation users that want to be smart about their irrigation water use.
Water meters typically only measure the total water use on a property, both indoor and outdoors.
A flow sensor or flow meter, however, can measure your irrigation water use separately, as well as the rate of flow. This is useful for detecting high or low flow rates that may indicate a problem, such as a broken valve or a leak.
If your goal is to reduce water use, then a flow meter can help you track the success of your efforts and help you figure out if the strategies you are using in the landscape are reducing your water use over time.
It can also prevent water waste due to leaks. Even a very small irrigation leak can waste up to 6,300 gallons of water per month, which could cancel out your other water conservation efforts!
Any new irrigation system should have three things installed to prevent major water loss from leaks: a smart controller, a master valve and a flow sensor.
Master valves are placed before any zone valves. In case of a water line break or a valve that won’t close, the master valve can be used to shut off the water supply to the irrigation system.
Many smart irrigation controllers have compatible flow meters or flow sensors that can be used to detect leaks. These new technologies are more affordable than ever before and make it easy to prevent damaging leaks.
Flow sensors are offered in various sizes, but should be selected based on the high and low flow rates that need to be measured, not the pipe size.
Most often, the minimum flow rate is more important to consider, especially on systems with water-efficient rotors and drip irrigation that reduce irrigation zone flow rates.
For example, a 2-inch flow sensor can easily handle the design flow rate of a 3-inch pipeline without exceeding maximum flow rate and will also measure flow at more critical lower flow rates than a larger sensor would.
Flow sensor technologies are continuing to improve for use in residential systems, from technology to improved affordability.
For example, the FLOMEC QS200 Insertion Ultrasonic Flowmeter, a best new product winner at the 2018 Irrigation Show, is able to accurately read flow rates using new ultrasonic technology to detect low flow leaks that most other sensors can't detect.
The ELF sensors are available in a 3/4-inch PVC socket or 1-inch threaded Noryl versions, are compatible with most smart irrigation controllers.
The ELF also eliminates the need for straight pipe sections up and downstream of the sensor and solenoid valves may be connected directly to the downstream end of threaded ELF model for a flow sensor/master valve for installation in tight spaces.