Pswitch Install Guide

For field technicians • April 2026

Forget irrigation system types.
Just answer: "What pipe can I reach near the logger?"

Quick: Which connection do I use?

Is there a test port or plug on the regulator/filter?
Use the test port — see Connection #0
Use a 1/4" barb tee — see Connection #1 (Spaghetti)
Use a 17mm barb tee — see Connection #2 (Drip Line)
Use a Blazing Saddle — see Connection #3 (Saddle)
Use an NDS Flo-Tap — see Connection #4 (PVC)
Find the manifold or flush valve — see Connection #5 (Buried)
Use the dual-line install with check valves — see Dual-Line Install

The Decision (Do This in Order)

0 Is there already a test port or plug?
Check first, every time

Look at the pressure regulator, filter station, or valve manifold near the block. Many have a small threaded plug or Schrader valve (looks like a tire valve). If you find one: unscrew the plug, thread in a brass adapter, connect pswitch. Done. 2 minutes.

PORT
Fitting: Brass 1/4" NPT to barb adapter
Remove plug or Schrader core. Wrap Teflon tape (3-5 wraps, clockwise when looking at the thread end). Thread in adapter. Connect pswitch barb. Done.
What's a test port look like? A small hex-head brass plug (1/4" or 1/8") screwed into the body of a regulator or filter. Or a Schrader valve that looks exactly like a tire valve stem. Either one works.
1 No test port? What pipe is closest to the logger?

Pick the one that matches. Tap/click for instructions.

thin
Thin spaghetti tube (1/4") EASIEST
How to tell: Thin as a pencil lead. Feeds a single micro-sprinkler on a stake. You can cut it with scissors.

Connection #1: Cut the spaghetti, insert tiny tee

Time: 3 minutes • Tools: Scissors or knife • No adapters needed

  1. Cut the 1/4" spaghetti tube feeding any nearby sprinkler
  2. Push a 1/4" barb tee into the cut ends (inline ports reconnect the sprinkler)
  3. Push the pswitch barb directly onto the branch port — it's the same size, just push on
  4. Zip-tie, route cable to logger
T
Fitting #1: 1/4" barb tee
$0.12 each. Bag of 100 in your field bag. Same diameter as pswitch barb — no adapter.
Why this is the simplest install that exists. The tee branch is 1/4", the pswitch inlet is 1/4". They just push together. No Teflon tape, no reducers, no tools beyond scissors.
Low pressure warning: Spaghetti lines run at the end of the system, so pressure is lower than the lateral. The 5 PSI pswitch should still trigger, but if it doesn't read, move upstream to the lateral and use the saddle method instead.
bumps
Black drip line with bumps (16–17mm) STANDARD
How to tell: Pencil-thick black tube on the ground. Has small raised bumps every 18-36" (emitters). Flexible. Most common pipe you'll see.

Connection #2: Punch and push (or cut and tee)

Time: 5 minutes • Tools: Punch tool (included), pipe cutter, crimp tool

Fast way: Direct punch

  1. Punch a hole in the drip line with the included tool — on top of the pipe (12 o'clock)
  2. Push the pswitch 1/4" barb into the hole (use back of tool to seat it)
  3. Zip-tie body to line, route cable to logger

Reliable way: Barb tee

  1. Shut off water. Cut the drip line near the start of the lateral.
  2. Push both cut ends onto a 17mm barb tee (or 16mm for Netafim vineyard dripline — measure OD first)
  3. Crimp clamp both inline connections (2 clamps) — tug to verify they don't slide off
  4. Connect a pre-cut 12" piece of 1/4" tubing from the tee branch to the pswitch barb. Crimp clamp the tee end (3rd clamp).
  5. Zip-tie, route cable to logger
TEE
17mm barb tee + 3 crimp clamps
Cut line, insert tee, crimp 2 inline ends + 1 branch end. Short 1/4" tubing to pswitch.
16mm vs 17mm: Most orchard drip is 17mm (0.700" OD). Some vineyard drip (Netafim) is 16mm (0.620" OD). The 17mm tee won't seal on 16mm line. Carry both sizes, or measure with calipers. If in doubt, the direct punch method works on either.
Dual-line drip, same valve? Both lines pressurize together — pick whichever is closer to the logger. One pswitch on one line is enough.
Dual-line drip, different valves? Lines run independently — you need check valves so one line doesn't backfeed into the other. See Dual-Line Install below.
smooth
Thick black poly pipe, smooth (3/4"–1") SADDLE
How to tell: Thicker than your thumb, no emitter bumps — smooth black PE. This is the lateral feeding micro-sprinklers. You can squeeze it but it's stiff.

Connection #3: Clamp-on saddle (no cutting)

Time: 10 minutes • Tools: Adjustable wrench

  1. Clamp a Blazing Saddle onto the pipe — it self-taps its own hole (BS5000 for 3/4", BS7000 for 1")
  2. Thread in the pre-assembled adapter (1/2" FPT to barb, already Teflon-taped)
  3. Connect short 1/4" tubing to pswitch barb
  4. Zip-tie, route cable to logger
SADDLE
Blazing Saddle + pre-assembled adapter
Clamps onto pipe, self-taps hole. No cutting. Pre-assembled adapter screws right in.
Which saddle size? BS5000 = 3/4" pipe. BS7000 = 1" pipe. Squeeze the pipe and eyeball it: 3/4" is about the diameter of a nickel, 1" is about the diameter of a quarter. When in doubt, carry both.
Pre-assemble this in the shop (saves 5 min in the field):

Teflon-tape the brass 1/2" FPT → 3/16" barb adapter. Screw it into a Blazing Saddle outlet to test the fit, then back it out and bag it as "Saddle Adapter." In the field: screw the adapter into the saddle, push a pre-cut 1/4" tubing piece onto the barb, connect the other end to pswitch.

PVC
Rigid white/gray PVC (1.5"–4") BOLT-ON
How to tell: White or gray rigid pipe. Glued joints. You can NOT bend it. Usually near valves, filters, pump station.

Connection #4: Bolt-on saddle (NDS Flo-Tap)

Time: 15 minutes • Tools: Wrench, PVC cement • No water shutoff needed

  1. Bolt the NDS Flo-Tap saddle onto the PVC (Model 3120 for 2" pipe, 3240 for 4")
  2. Turn the built-in cutter to drill through the wall — debris is captured inside
  3. Thread in the pre-assembled reducer chain (3/4" to 1/2" to barb)
  4. Connect to pswitch, zip-tie, route cable
FLO-TAP
NDS Flo-Tap + pre-assembled reducer
Bolts on, drills through PVC under pressure. No shutoff needed. Built-in debris capture.
Pre-assemble this in the shop:

Thread 3/4"→1/2" PVC bushing → 1/4" NPT brass barb adapter. Teflon tape all joints. Bag as "PVC Adapter Chain." In the field, cement the whole assembly into the Flo-Tap outlet.

dirt nothing visible
Nothing visible — everything is buried FIND MANIFOLD
How to tell: Clean dirt between rows. No pipe on the surface. There will be a manifold, valve box, or flush valve at the row end — that's above ground.

Connection #5: Find the manifold, then use Connection #3 or #4

Time: 15 minutes (includes finding it)

  1. Walk to the start of the block — look for the manifold/header where pipes come out of the ground
  2. If it's black PE pipe → use Connection #3 (Blazing Saddle)
  3. If it's white PVC pipe → use Connection #4 (Flo-Tap)
  4. Alternative: find the flush valve at the far end of the row (always above ground) and tee into it
Never dig up buried dripline. The manifold, flush valve, and sub-main all pressurize at the same time as the buried line. Tap those instead.
Manifold is far from the logger? If the manifold is at one end of the block and the logger is mid-row, you have two choices: (1) run a longer cable from the manifold to the logger, or (2) find the flush valve at the other end of the row — it's also above ground and pressurizes at the same time. Pick whichever is closer to the logger.
2 After connecting: route the cable
  1. Zip-tie cable every 12-18" along the pipe
  2. Route up the tree trunk to the logger
  3. No loose cable crossing wheel tracks or mowing paths
  4. Plug 8-pin connector into logger
3 Test before you leave
  1. Ask farmer to turn on the block
  2. Wait for pressure (1-2 min). Confirm logger shows ON
  3. Check for leaks at the installation point
  4. Ask farmer to turn off. Confirm logger shows OFF
  5. Take a photo. Note the pipe type for the customer record

Dual-Line Install (Different Valves)

Two drip lines along the same tree row, controlled by different valves/zones. One pswitch detects irrigation on either or both lines. Check valves stop water from the active line backfeeding into the idle one.

Do both lines turn on together? If both lines are on the same valve, you don't need any of this — just tap one line using Connection #2 above.
Drip Line A (Zone 1) TEE CHECK Drip Line B (Zone 2) TEE CHECK T PSWITCH to logger

Check valves let pressure through to the pswitch but block cross-flow between lines.

How It Works

Each check valve is a one-way gate. Water pressure passes from the drip line toward the pswitch, but can't flow backwards. When Zone 1 runs, its pressure reaches the pswitch while the check valve on Zone 2 stays shut — no water backfeeds into the idle line. Vice versa. If both zones run simultaneously, both valves open and the pswitch sees pressure from both.

What to Buy

You need 1/4" OD push-to-connect inline check valves — the kind used for reverse osmosis water filtration. They grip standard 1/4" irrigation micro-tubing by the outside diameter. Just push the tubing in, done. No clamps, no Teflon, no tools.

CHECK
1/4" OD push-to-connect check valve
Search Amazon: "1/4 inch check valve push to connect water" — iSpring, PureSec, or Malida brand, ~$2-3 each. Sold in 5-packs. Cracking pressure ~1 PSI (drip lines run 10-25 PSI, so plenty of margin for the 5 PSI pswitch).

Parts Per Install

2x 17mm barb tee
In your field bag. One per drip line.
2x check valve
NEW. Arrow toward pswitch.
1x 1/4" barb tee
In your field bag. Joins both lines.
4x 1/4" tubing
Pre-cut 12-18" pieces.
6x crimp clamps
3 per 17mm tee.

Steps

  1. Tap Line A: Shut off water. Cut drip line A near a convenient point, push a 17mm barb tee into both cut ends, crimp clamp all 3 connections. Run a 12" piece of 1/4" tubing from the tee branch.
  2. Tap Line B: Same thing on drip line B — cut, 17mm barb tee, crimp clamp, 1/4" tubing from branch.
  3. Install check valves: Push each 1/4" tubing run into a check valve. Arrow on the valve must point AWAY from the drip line, TOWARD the pswitch. No arrow? Blow through it — air should only pass in one direction (drip line side → pswitch side).
  4. Join with tee: Run a short piece of 1/4" tubing from each check valve output to the two inline ports of a 1/4" barb tee. Push the pswitch barb onto the branch port.
  5. Secure: Zip-tie the check valves and joining tee to the nearest drip line or a stake. Nothing should dangle. Route cable to logger.
  6. Test all three scenarios:
    • Zone 1 only ON → pswitch ON. Turn off → OFF.
    • Zone 2 only ON → pswitch ON. Turn off → OFF.
    • Both zones ON → pswitch ON. Turn off → OFF.
Pre-assemble a "Dual-Line Kit" in the shop (saves 10 min in the field):

Push 4 pieces of pre-cut 1/4" tubing into 2 check valves and 1 barb tee to form a Y-shape: two open tubing ends on one side (will connect to each drip line's 17mm tee), one open branch on the other (will connect to pswitch). Bag the whole assembly as "Dual-Line Kit." In the field: connect the two tubing ends to the 17mm tees, push pswitch onto the branch, done.

Why this works: Drip lines run at 10-25 PSI. The check valves crack open at ~1 PSI. The pswitch triggers at 5 PSI. Even after the small pressure drop across the valve, the pswitch sees 9-24 PSI — plenty of margin.
Never skip the check valves. Without them, water from the active zone flows through the tee into the idle zone's drip line, backfilling through emitters and waterlogging trees that shouldn't be irrigated. The farmer will blame the pswitch install.
Wrong

Tee both drip lines together without check valves. Active zone backfeeds into idle zone.

Right

Check valve on each line, arrows toward pswitch. Pressure passes through, water doesn't cross.

Wrong

Check valve arrow pointing toward the drip line. Blocks all pressure — pswitch never triggers.

Right

Arrow points away from drip line, toward pswitch. If neither zone triggers, pull valves and flip them.

The Field Bag

Pack ONE tool bag with everything. Grab it for every install. No need to plan which connection type — all 5 fittings + tools in one bag, figure it out on-site.

Fitting #1
T
1/4" Barb Tee
Grab a handful (bag of 100). For spaghetti tubing.
Fitting #2
17mm
16mm + 17mm Barb Tees
+ 3 crimp clamps per tee. Measure OD first (calipers). For drip line.
Fitting #3
SADDLE
Blazing Saddle
BS5000 (3/4") + BS7000 (1") + pre-assembled adapter
Fitting #4
PVC
NDS Flo-Tap
2" + 4" sizes + pre-assembled reducer chain
Fitting #5
NPT
NPT Adapter
Brass 1/4" NPT to barb. For existing test ports.
Fitting #6
CHECK
1/4" Check Valves
Push-to-connect, 1/4" OD. For dual-line installs. Keep 4+ in bag.
Always
Shared Supplies
Punch tool, pipe cutter, crimp tool, Teflon tape, UV zip ties (8"+14"), Schrader valve tool, calipers
Shop prep (do this once, saves time on every install):

1. Pre-cut 1/4" tubing into 12" pieces (20+). 2. Pre-assemble saddle adapters (1/2" FPT → barb + Teflon). Bag as "Saddle Adapter." 3. Pre-assemble PVC reducer chains (3/4" → 1/2" → 1/4" NPT → barb + Teflon). Bag as "PVC Adapter." 4. Pre-assemble dual-line kits (2 check valves + barb tee + 4 tubing pieces in Y-shape). Bag as "Dual-Line Kit." 5. Label fittings #1–#6 in the bag.

6 Mistakes That Waste Your Time

Wrong

Barb on the bottom of the pipe. Sediment clogs it within weeks.

Right

Barb on top (12 o'clock). Gravity keeps sediment away.

Wrong

Cable draped loose across the row. Tractor rips it out on the first pass.

Right

Zip-tie every 12-18" along pipe, then up the trunk. Nothing hanging.

Wrong

No Teflon tape on NPT threads. Slow leak → adapter works loose → pswitch fails.

Right

3-5 wraps of Teflon, clockwise when looking at the thread end. Snug with wrench, don't gorilla it.

Wrong

Pswitch reads ON but there's no water flowing. Assume it's broken.

Right

Air trapped in the port can hold enough pressure to trigger 5 PSI. Bleed the port: disconnect pswitch, let air escape, reconnect. Common after first install.

Wrong

Punched into drip tape (thin-wall). Tape tears, leaks, can't hold barb.

Right

Drip tape too thin. Go upstream to the header pipe, use Connection #3 or #4.

Wrong

Dug up buried dripline to install pswitch. System damaged, nearly impossible to repair.

Right

Tap the above-ground manifold or flush valve (Connection #5). Same pressure signal.

Field Checklist (Print This)

Before Leaving the Shop

  • Pswitch + 8-pin cable
  • Punch tool
  • Tool bag with all fittings (1/4" tees, 17mm tees, saddles, Flo-Taps, NPT adapters, dual-line kits)
  • Crimp clamps (17mm) + crimp tool
  • Pre-cut 1/4" tubing pieces
  • Pre-assembled saddle adapters + PVC reducer chains
  • Teflon tape
  • UV zip ties (8" + 14")
  • Pipe cutter + adjustable wrench
  • Schrader valve tool
  • Calipers or tape measure (for 16mm vs 17mm)

Before Leaving the Field

  • Barb fully seated / tee secure
  • All crimp clamps tight (tug test — nothing slides)
  • Teflon on all NPT threads
  • Barb is on TOP of pipe (12 o'clock), not bottom
  • Cable zip-tied every 12-18" along pipe + up trunk
  • No cable crossing wheel tracks or mowing paths
  • 8-pin connector fully seated in logger port
  • Farmer turned ON → logger shows pswitch ON
  • No leaks at install point
  • Farmer turned OFF → logger shows pswitch OFF
  • Photo of installation taken
  • Pipe type + size noted for customer record
  • Dual-line only: Both check valve arrows point toward pswitch
  • Dual-line only: Tested Zone 1 alone, Zone 2 alone, and both together

Buy List — 4 Orders, 4 Stores

Quantities for 10 installs of each type (~50 total installs) plus 5 dual-line installs. ~$614.

1. DripWorks
dripworks.com
  • 1/4" barbed tee, DIG (bag of 100)1 bag
  • Netafim 17mm barb tee (TechLock)10
  • Netafim 16mm barb tee (for vineyard dripline)6
  • Stainless crimp clamps, 16mm + 17mm assorted50
  • Clamp crimping tool1
  • 1/4" black PE micro-tubing (by foot)50 ft
~$125
2. Sprinkler Warehouse
sprinklerwarehouse.com
  • Blazing Saddle BS5000 (3/4" pipe, 1/2" FPT)6
  • Blazing Saddle BS7000 (1" pipe, 1/2" FPT)6
~$66
3. Home Depot (in-store)
homedepot.com
  • NDS Flo-Tap saddle, 2" PVC (Model 3120)6
  • NDS Flo-Tap saddle, 4" PVC (Model 3240)4
  • PVC reducing bushings assorted (3/4"→1/2"→1/4")10 sets
  • Oatey PVC primer + cement kit1
  • Teflon tape 1/2" x 520" (multi-pack)10
~$172
4. Amazon
amazon.com
  • Brass 1/2" FPT to 3/16" barb adapterSearch: "1/2 female pipe to 3/16 barb brass"12
  • Brass 1/4" NPT male to 3/16" barb adapterSearch: "1/4 NPT male 3/16 barb brass"22
  • Schrader valve core removerSearch: "tire valve core remover tool"2
  • UV black zip ties 8" + 14" (200+ pack)Search: "black UV zip ties assorted 200"1 bag
  • Ratchet pipe cutter (PE/PVC up to 1")Search: "ratchet pipe cutter 1 inch"1
  • 1/4" OD push-to-connect inline check valve (5-pack)Search: "1/4 inch check valve push connect inline water"2 packs
~$155
Grand total: ~$614 for everything. Covers 50+ installs (including 5 dual-line installs). DripWorks and Sprinkler Warehouse ship 2-3 days. Amazon Prime 1-2 days. Home Depot same-day in-store.
FloraPulse — Pswitch Install Guide v3.2 — April 2026
One bag, one decision, six connections.