1. What is Head Loss in a Water Hose?

Definition: Head loss refers to the reduction in water pressure (energy) as it flows through a hose due to friction between the water and hose walls.

Purpose: This calculator helps determine how much pressure will be lost in a hose system, which is crucial for designing efficient water systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Darcy-Weisbach equation:

Where:

• \( h_f \) — Head loss (meters)
• \( f \) — Friction factor (dimensionless)
• \( L \) — Hose length (meters)
• \( D \) — Hose diameter (meters)
• \( V \) — Water velocity (meters/second)
• \( g \) — Gravity (9.81 m/s²)

Explanation: The equation calculates energy loss due to friction based on hose characteristics and flow velocity.

3. Importance of Head Loss Calculation

Details: Proper head loss estimation ensures adequate water pressure throughout the system, helps select proper pump sizes, and prevents flow rate issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the friction factor (default 0.02 for smooth hoses), hose length, diameter, and water velocity. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical friction factor for hoses?
A: For smooth rubber hoses, ~0.02; for corrugated hoses, ~0.04-0.06. Check manufacturer specifications for exact values.

Q2: How do I determine water velocity?
A: Velocity = Flow rate (m³/s) / Cross-sectional area (m²) of hose.

Q3: Does this account for fittings and bends?
A: No, this calculates only straight pipe friction loss. For complete systems, you need to add minor losses from fittings.

Q4: What's an acceptable head loss?
A: Depends on application, but typically you want less than 10% of total dynamic head in the system.

Q5: How does diameter affect head loss?
A: Head loss is inversely proportional to diameter - doubling diameter reduces head loss by about 32 times!