Equivalent Piping Length

The minor losses might be stated in terms of the equal length (L_eq) of pipe which would have the similar head loss for similar discharge flow rate. This association can be found by setting the two forms of Darcy's equation equivalent to each other.

This gives up two relationships which are useful.

Usual values of L_eq/D for general piping system components are listed in table shown below. The equal length of piping which will cause the similar head loss as a specific component can be established by multiplying the value of L_eq/D for that component by the diameter of the pipe. The higher the value of L_eq/D is, the longer the equivalent length of the pipe.