Every elbow, tee, and reducer adds pressure drop equivalent to several meters of straight pipe. A piping run with many fittings wastes pressure.
What you'll see
Good pressure at the main header but low pressure at machines connected by long branch lines with many fittings. Hose runs are especially bad -- a 400-meter run of 3/4 inch hose to a remote machine creates enormous pressure drop.
Before you assume this is the problem
How to diagnose
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Measure pressure at the machine during operation
Not at the header -- at the machine itself, during actual use. The drop may be far worse than expected because fittings add up.
Result: Significant drop at the machine = branch line problem.
How to fix it
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Reduce fittings and use larger branch lines
Use the most direct route possible. Replace small-diameter hose runs with proper piping. Minimize elbows and tees. Each 90-degree elbow adds the equivalent of about 30 pipe diameters of straight pipe in pressure drop.
Common mistakes
Long flexible hoses are the worst offenders. They seem convenient but cause massive pressure drop. Use hard piping for permanent installations and keep hoses short.
Parts & tools
Larger piping for branch lines. Fewer and larger fittings.
This issue can also cause
- High Energy Use Excessive power consumption or unexpectedly high electricity bills, often caused by control problems, air leak...