Pressure Regulator
A pressure regulator reduces the incoming water pressure to the level required by drip lines or spray heads. Place it on the supply pipe and record the output pressure in the Inspector.
Pressure RegulatorThe Regulator object places a dedicated pressure regulator symbol on your irrigation plan at the point where supply pressure is stepped down. After placing it, record the Input (kPa), Output (kPa), and Flow (L/min) in the Inspector so the plan documents the device specification for the installer. The Water tab is a schematic planning tool and does not simulate live pressure or flow — the recorded values carry the design intent, not a hydraulic calculation.
Set the output pressure in the Inspector
With the regulator selected, open the Inspector and configure the output pressure setting. Enter the value in the project's active unit system (psi for imperial, bar for metric). Typical settings: 1.0–1.4 bar (15–20 psi) for drip systems; 2.0–2.5 bar (29–36 psi) for pop-up spray systems. The output pressure is recorded in the specification export.
Connect with supply pipes
Use the Draw Pipe tool to draw the supply pipe through the regulator point, entering on the high-pressure inlet side and exiting on the regulated outlet side. The regulator symbol includes a directional indicator — verify that it is oriented in the direction of flow on the plan.
Set the inlet pressure
Select the placed regulator to open the Pressure Regulator section in the Inspector. Enter the expected supply pressure in the Input (kPa) field. A typical municipal supply is often 400–700 kPa depending on the local network.
Set the regulated outlet pressure
Enter the target output pressure in the Output (kPa) field. Spray heads typically require 200–300 kPa; drip and micro-irrigation emitters usually operate best at 100–150 kPa. Record the pressure that matches the downstream zone type.
Set the flow rate
Enter the regulator's rated flow in the Flow (L/min) field so the specification matches the total demand of the downstream heads and helps the installer select the right device.
Connect the supply pipe through the regulator
Place a Pipe from the Distribution section and route the supply line from the water source (and backflow preventer), past the regulator, and onward to the zone valves.
If the plan has both spray and drip zones, place one main regulator after the backflow preventer for the spray side, and an additional low-pressure regulator on each drip zone branch. This keeps emitters protected without over-pressuring any zone.
The Water tab is a schematic planning tool and does not simulate real-world pressure or flow performance. The pressures you enter are design specifications for the installer — verify hydraulic adequacy with a professional irrigation engineer on larger or complex systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a dedicated pressure regulator object?
Yes. The Regulator object is in the Water tab under Sources & Supply. Place the symbol on your supply line, then fill in the input pressure, output pressure, and flow rate in the Inspector.
What unit is used for pressure — bar, PSI, or kPa?
The Inspector uses kilopascals (kPa). To convert: 1 bar = 100 kPa, 1 PSI ≈ 6.9 kPa. A spray-zone regulator set to 2.5 bar would be entered as 250 kPa.
Does the app calculate whether the pressure is sufficient for my zones?
No. The Water tab is a schematic planning tool. It records your design intent but does not perform hydraulic calculations. To verify a regulator setting against total zone demand, consult an irrigation engineer or dedicated hydraulic software.
Can I place more than one regulator on the same plan?
Yes. Place as many regulators as the design requires — one after the main backflow preventer for the primary supply, and additional regulators at individual drip zone branches that need a lower operating pressure.