On-line Emitters

On-line Emitters are small plastic devices which convey small streams of flow from polyethylene (PE) tubing to the soil. Water then moves through the soil via capillary flow and creates a wetted circle, the size of which is dependent upon the soil type, flow rate and irrigation schedule. On-line emitters are attached to the PE tubing wall by inserting the emitter’s barb shaped base through a precisely punched hole. On line emitters offer the user the advantage of installing an emission device exactly where wanted, and if the emitter is “take-a-part”, it may also be serviced. The disadvantage is that the end user must manually insert each emitter. Although the ability to self-clean an emitter is an attractive feature, it should be viewed as an occasional event that is no substitute for proper filtration and maintenance. Drip irrigation systems may employ hundreds or even thousands of emitters, a quantity impractical to flush by hand.