Drip irrigation fittings: the complete guide
Start connectors, tees, end caps, couplings, adapters. Types, sizes, and when to use each one.
30+ types
Fittings
4 categories
Main groups
15 min
Reading time
100%
Compatibility
Main fitting categories
- Start connectors: connect drip tape to the mainline (hole in the mainline → connector → tape)
- End caps: seal the ends of mainlines and drip tape. Available in quick-connect or screw-on types
- Repair couplings: join two pieces of drip tape after damage. Push-in or clamp types
- Tees and crosses: branch off the mainline, connect a second line
- Elbow connectors: turn the mainline 90° without kinking
- Threaded adapters: transition from the mainline to a threaded valve (1/2", 3/4", 1")
- Diameter reducers: connect pipes of different diameters (e.g., 25 → 20 → 16 mm)
- Inline valves: individual on/off controls for zones or individual beds
Start connectors — the most important category
90% of a system's reliability depends on the quality of the start connectors. Cheap connectors = leaks and tape blowing off under pressure.
| Type | For mainline | Max. pressure | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| With rubber seal (no valve) | 16-25 мм LayFlat, HDPE | 2 бар | Affordable, easy to install |
| With rubber seal and valve | 16-25 мм | 2.5 бар | Allows shutting off individual beds |
| Screw-type | LayFlat, ПВХ магістраль | 3 бар | More secure against pull-out |
| Irritec Greenfields | HDPE, LayFlat') }} | 4 бар | Industrial-grade reliability, 5+ years |
Rule: Connectors must ALWAYS have a rubber seal — not just bare plastic. Plastic connectors without a seal will leak within 2–3 months.
Size compatibility chart
| Main line | Tape | Thread | Typical fittings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 мм LayFlat | 16 мм | 1/2" | Residential standard |
| 20 мм LayFlat/HDPE | 16 мм | 3/4" | Residential/farm |
| 25 мм HDPE | 16 мм | 1" | Small farms |
| 32 мм HDPE | 16 мм (+перехідник 32/16) | 1 1/4" | Farms 0.5–2 ha |
| 40-63 мм HDPE | 16 мм (compression переходники) | 1 1/2" - 2" | Industrial systems |
How many fittings you need
- Start connectors: 1 per drip tape line (16 beds = 16 connectors) + 10% spare
- Drip tape end caps: 1 per bed + 10% spare
- Mainline end cap: 1 per circuit
- Drip tape repair couplings: 2–3 per 100 m of tape (preventive stock)
- Tees: per your layout — typically 1–3 per 100 m of mainline
- Threaded adapter for the valve: 1 pc
Common mistakes
- Mixing systems: 16 mm fittings from one brand are often incompatible with 16 mm from another — buy as a set
- Wrong punch size: the hole in the mainline must be EXACTLY the right diameter for the connector. For a 16 mm connector, use a 12–14 mm punch
- Skimping on end caps: it's better to pay more for rubber-sealed caps than to hunt for leaks every week
- No spare stock: buying the bare minimum is a frustrating mistake. Get +15% of every category
Fittings in our catalog
Our catalog offers a full range of fittings with rubber seals in all standard sizes.