The Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter (1.0 Gallons Per Pulse) is an essential tool for precise water management in commercial agriculture, greenhouses, and large residential landscapes. By installing this meter as a sub-meter on your mainline, you gain total visibility over your system's water consumption. It works by sending an electrical pulse to your irrigation controller every time exactly 1.0 gallon of water passes through the internal impeller.
This real-time communication allows smart controllers to detect catastrophic leaks, monitor for unusually high or low flow rates, and provide highly accurate usage reports. Constructed from a heavy-duty composite plastic, the meter body is completely corrosion-resistant and safely handles system pressures up to 140 PSI. Backed by Netafim's industry-leading warranty—three years on the metering assembly and five years on the body—it is built for years of uninterrupted, highly accurate data collection.
Detailed specifications for system planning.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Inline Pulse Water Meter |
| Connection Size | 1" Pipe Thread |
| Pulse Output | 1.0 Gallons Per Pulse (Dry Contact Reed Switch) |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 140 PSI |
| Body Material | Composite (Plastic) |
| Warranty | 3 Years (Metering Components) / 5 Years (Meter Body) |
A quick guide to plumbing and wiring your new pulse water meter.
Step 1: Install an Upstream Air Vent
It is highly recommended (and often required for strict accuracy) to install a continuous-acting air relief valve *before* the water meter. Air bubbles passing through the meter will spin the impeller, causing the controller to record false, unusually high water usage.
Step 2: Plumb into the Mainline
Install the 1" meter directly into your mainline. Ensure the directional arrow stamped on the side of the meter body matches the direction of your water flow. Use appropriate thread sealant tape on the connections.
Step 3: Connect the Wires
Run direct burial irrigation wire from the meter to your smart irrigation controller. Connect the two wires from the meter's reed switch to the designated sensor/pulse input terminals on your controller. Polarity does not matter for this dry contact switch.
Step 4: Configure the Controller
Open the interface or app for your smart controller. Add a new flow sensor/meter and explicitly set the calibration to 1.0 Gallons Per Pulse so the software calculates the flow correctly.
As I start my irrigation system this spring, how do I verify the Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter is reading accurately?
During spring startup, thoroughly flush your lines and ensure your upstream air vent is functioning. Trapped winter air passing through the Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter will spin the impeller and cause false high readings.
Once the system is fully pressurized and bled of all air, check your smart controller's app to ensure the reported GPM (Gallons Per Minute) aligns with the expected output of your drip zones.
Why do I need to install an air vent before the Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter?
You must install a continuous-acting air vent before the Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter because large air bubbles will rapidly spin the meter's internal impeller, causing your controller to falsely report massive water usage.
An air relief valve properly purges air from the manifold before it reaches the metering assembly, ensuring that the sensor only counts actual, liquid water.
Can I use the Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter with any irrigation controller?
The Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter works with any smart irrigation controller that accepts a dry contact pulse input or reed switch sensor. It will not work with basic timers lacking sensor ports.
Always check your controller's manual. When setting it up in your controller's software, you must specify that the K-factor/calibration is "1 pulse = 1 gallon" for accurate reporting.
Does the Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter restrict water pressure?
No, as long as it is sized correctly for your manifold, the Netafim 1" Plastic Water Meter features a high-capacity flow path that causes negligible friction loss across your system.
It can comfortably handle commercial system pressures up to 140 PSI without hindering downstream performance at your valves or drip emitters.
Please verify your equipment before purchasing this smart accessory:
Ensure your smart irrigation setup is fully connected and accurate with these essentials:
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