Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor

During testing, how many times should large sprinklers generally pass over a catch device?

1. At least 3 times

2. At least 5 times

3. At least 7 times

4. At least 10 times

The correct answer is: At least 5 times

The correct response indicates that large sprinklers should generally pass over a catch device at least five times during testing. This practice is essential for obtaining accurate measurements of the sprinkler's performance and ensuring a reliable assessment of the distribution uniformity. Running the sprinkler over the catch device multiple times allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of how evenly the water is distributed across the area. This is particularly important since sprinklers can exhibit variability in their water output due to factors such as wind, pressure fluctuations, and the condition of the nozzles. By measuring the catch can over several passes, you can identify any inconsistencies and quantify the effectiveness of the irrigation system. The requirement of five passes strikes a balance between obtaining sufficient data to analyze performance while being practical for the testing process. Fewer passes might not yield enough data to accurately gauge variability, while too many could lead to unnecessary time spent on the testing process, which could be counterproductive and inefficient. Hence, five passes are recognized as a standard practice for accurate and reliable results in landscape irrigation auditing.