What is a key characteristic of a pressure relief valve?

A pressure relief valve is specifically designed to prevent excessive pressure within a system; this is achieved by opening at a predetermined pressure to allow fluid to escape. This characteristic is crucial for protecting pipes, equipment, and components from potential damage caused by pressure surges or other forms of pressure buildup. If the internal pressure exceeds a certain threshold, the valve automatically activates to release some of the pressure, thereby safeguarding the integrity and safety of the system.

While maintaining internal pipe pressure and ensuring a constant water supply are important aspects of irrigation systems, they are not the primary function of a pressure relief valve. Rather, its main role is to act as a safety mechanism, thereby reinforcing the necessity of having a pre-set pressure limit to maintain overall system reliability and safety. Other functions, such as adjusting flow rate based on usage, pertain to different devices like flow control valves, not pressure relief valves.