Guide · Mainline fittings
"Universal" drip fittings: the OD range behind NUTLOC, Smart Loc and Orbit
"Universal" on a drip fitting means a stated size range, not every tube. The ranges and pressure ratings DIG, Raindrip, Orbit and Rain Bird list.
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Short answer
"Universal" on a drip fitting means a stated size range, not every tube. Read the numbers: DIG NUTLOC is listed for .630-.710 in OD, Raindrip Smart Loc for three ID x OD pairs, Orbit's Universal coupling for .620-.710 in OD and Rain Bird Easy-Fit for 0.63-0.70 in OD.
Four ranges, side by side
| Family | Mechanism | Size the maker lists | Pressure the maker lists | Reusable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIG NUTLOC | Barb and nut | .530, .600 or .620 in ID; .630-.710 in OD | Up to 60 PSI | Not stated |
| Raindrip Smart Loc S5600UB | Barb and twist-on nut | .520 x .620, .600 x .700, .620 x .710 in | Up to 50 psi | Not stated |
| Orbit 67466 coupling, 67468 cap | Insert and hand-twisted nut | .620-.710 in OD | Not stated | Yes, loosen the nut |
| Rain Bird Easy-Fit | Compression | 0.63-0.70 in OD | 0 to 60 psi | Not stated |
Sources for each row follow.
DIG NUTLOC
DIG lists its Universal NUTLOC fittings for tubing with a .530, .600 or .620 in ID, described as .630-.710 in OD, and gives an operating pressure of up to 60 PSI.[1] We found no wall-thickness limit for NUTLOC on DIG's page, so we cannot say how thin- or thick-walled tubing behaves in it.
Raindrip Smart Loc
Raindrip lists its Smart Loc S5600UB coupling for three tubing sizes: .520 x .620, .600 x .700 and .620 x .710 in (ID x OD). It secures with a barb and a twist-on nut.[2] Raindrip says it handles water pressures up to 50 psi.[2]
Orbit Universal
Orbit lists its 67466 1/2 in Universal Drip Coupling for .620-.710 in OD tubing. You slide the tube over the insert and hand-twist the outer nut, and loosening the nut releases it.[3] Orbit lists its 67468 end cap for the same .620-.710 in OD range.[4]
Orbit's page says the coupling works with "most major brands" of 1/2 in tubing. That is Orbit's wording. The fit is the .620-.710 in OD range, and you check it against your tube's OD.
Rain Bird Easy-Fit
Rain Bird lists its 1/2 in Universal Easy-Fit compression fittings for 0.63-0.70 in OD tubing, at 0 to 60 psi.[5] That range stops at 0.70 in, so .710 in tubing is outside it.
Orbit Drip-Lock is a different fitting
Orbit's 67491 Drip-Lock coupling is a push-on fitting with a release tab, listed for .690, .700 and .710 in OD.[6] Orbit's fittings collection shows Drip-Lock items such as the 67491 coupling and 67492 tee, and labels some Drip-Lock items "Universal Push-Fit".[7] That collection page lists Drip-Lock fittings by nominal size only and states no OD values,[7] so read each product page for its range.
Perma-Loc and locking-collar fittings
- Irritec USA presents Perma-Loc as its fittings and valves line.[8]
- Drip Depot, a retailer, gives these Perma-Loc steps: do not remove the swivel collar; twist it back, push the tube over the barb until the barb is covered (about 0.5 in), then tighten.[9]
- Drip Depot also says Perma-Loc fittings for drip tape and for poly tubing are not interchangeable.[9]
- Mister Landscaper describes its MLF 1/2 in fittings as reusable locking-collar fittings with built-in O-rings.[10]
Range-stated couplings and tees
Picks that fit3 products
Orbit 67466 is listed for .620-.710 in OD; Raindrip Smart Loc S5600UB for .520 x .620, .600 x .700 and .620 x .710 in; Rain Bird Easy-Fit EFC25-1PS for 0.63-0.70 in OD.
More on choosing
Choose the coupling whose range includes your tubing's OD.
Choose the Orbit 67466 for the widest stated OD range
Orbit 67466 1/2 in universal drip coupling (0.620‑0.710 in OD)
Choose the Raindrip Smart Loc S5600UB when you know your ID x OD pair
Raindrip Smart Loc S5600UB universal coupling (0.620, 0.700 and 0.710 in OD)
Choose the Rain Bird Easy-Fit EFC25-1PS for 0.63-0.70 in tubing
Rain Bird Easy-Fit EFC25‑1PS 1/2 in universal compression coupling (0.63‑0.70 in OD)
Need a branch instead of a straight joint? These are the tees from the same two families. Check the size list on the maker's page for the exact tee before you buy.
Picks that fit2 products
Choose Easy-Fit EFT25-1PS (an Easy-Fit compression tee) for tubing inside the Easy-Fit range of 0.63-0.70 in OD, or the Smart Loc S5500UB tee if you are already using Smart Loc and its listed sizes match your tubing.
Compression tee for 0.63-0.70 in OD
Rain Bird Easy-Fit EFT25‑1PS 1/2 in universal compression tee (0.63‑0.70 in OD)
Smart Loc tee, same three sizes
Raindrip Smart Loc S5500UB universal tee (0.620, 0.700 and 0.710 in OD)
On Amazon, check that "Ships from / Sold by" is Amazon.com or the brand before you buy.[11]
Next
Questions
Are universal drip fittings really universal?
No. Each maker lists a size range: DIG NUTLOC .630-.710 in OD, Orbit 67466 .620-.710 in OD, Rain Bird Easy-Fit 0.63-0.70 in OD, and Raindrip Smart Loc three ID x OD pairs. Tubing outside the range is outside the listing.[1][3][5][2]
Do Orbit Universal fittings fit Rain Bird tubing?
By OD, Rain Bird's T63, T70 and T71 tubing (0.63, 0.70 and 0.71 in) all fall within the .620-.710 in OD range Orbit lists for its 67466 coupling and 67468 end cap.[12][3][4]