Rain Bird IC System Guide

IC System
TM
Design Guide v 2.3
Updated August 2016

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IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2
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3
IC System
TM
– Product Definitions 3
Integrated Control Interface (ICI) 4
Integrated Control Module (ICM) 5
Integrated Control Surge Device (ICSD) 5
Components of the IC Interface (ICI) 6
Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) 7
How the System Works 8
Basic Design Data 9
System Capacity 10
Flexible Design 10
Wire Path 11
Wire Sizing Charts 12
Examples 13 - 15
Grounding 16
Types of Pipe Networks 17
Wire Path “Field Fuses” 18
Looping Communication Wire 18
Combining Wire Paths at the Interface 18
Remotely Locating an Integrated Control Interface (ICI) 18

IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2.3 3
Introduction
This Design Guide is presented to help clarify standard design questions for the IC System
TM
If there are
any questions or specific examples that may not be adequately addressed within this guide, please
contact your Rain Bird sales or service manager for additional clarification to aid in the proper design for
the specific application
IC System– Product Definitions
Central Control Software
Cirrus
TM
, Nimbus II
TM
, Stratus II
TM
and Stratus LT
TM
are the Central Control applications that are available
to operate with the IC System The software is used to establish the irrigation system parameters,
operate the system and perform troubleshooting tasks There are many troubleshooting diagnostic
features within the software that enable the user to quickly diagnose and identify the location of field
related issues on the course

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IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2
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ICI
The Integrated Control Interface (ICI) is the electronic hardware and firmware that accepts commands
from the Central Control Software and directs them to the field The ICI also communicates intelligently
with the field in order to update the status back to the Central Control Software

IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2.3 5
ICM
The Integrated Control Module (ICM) is mounted on Rain Bird manufactured valve-in-head golf rotors or
electric in-line valves The ICM communicates directly to the Rain Bird central control software via Rain
Bird MAXI
TM
cable two-wire path and the ICI interface The central control software automatically
operates the rotors and valves throughout the golf course by activating each individual ICM as needed
If the ICM is installed on Rain Bird electric in-line valves, an ICM valve adapter (ICMA) is required
ICSD
The Integrated Control Surge Device (ICSD) provides surge protection for the system in case of lightning
strikes

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IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2
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Components of the Integrated Control Interface (ICI)
CPU Board
The CPU Board provides communication between the Central Control Computer and each of the wire
paths
Driver Board
The Driver Board provides communication
between the CPU board and the ICMs in the
field Depending upon the model, there may be
one or two Driver Boards in the ICI

IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2.3 7
Uninterruptable Power Suppl (UPS)
Rain Bird recommends the use of a UPS to provide battery backup in cases of fluctuating or loss of
power to the Integrated Control Interface (ICI) When operated by battery the IC System
TM
requires a
“pure sine wave” signal and not a modified, square or PWM wave
The computer running the Central Control software and ICI should be powered through a UPS Rain Bird
has verified APC model Smart UPS 1500 for the IC System Different countries may have differing
requirements and APC typically makes a Smart-UPS for each country according to the needs of that
country If sourcing a Smart-UPS for a different country, please source the UPS in the country in which
the system will be operated For example, do not purchase a Smart-UPS in the United States and ship it
to Asia The local Rain Bird distributor can source the appropriate UPS in-country
Less expensive UPS models are available in a variety of stores but it has been proven that these do not
produce the “pure sine wave” signal required by the IC System Please purchase the APC Smart-UPS
1500 model for an IC System

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IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2
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How the s stem works
The IC System
TM
uses a data transfer method that sends packets of information across a two-wire path
Each ICM has a unique address that allows the central control software to communicate with each ICM
individually
The ICM has a unique “Long Address” pre-assigned from the factory that identifies it in the central
control software The Long Address is like having a phone number for each ICM Each ICM has a label
on the outside of the housing with a barcode and the printed Long Address The user must enter the
Long Address into the central control software at initial start-up
The central control software communicates with the ICMs in the field through a high-speed method of
communication that requires that each ICM is assigned a Fast Connect Address The Fast Connect
Address is assigned automatically by the central control software based on its location in the Central
Control Database
The Fast Connect Address is a method by which the Central Control Software can quickly communicate
with more than one ICM at a time This is like having a speed dial for a phone number The Central
Control Software can manage up to 750 ICMs on a single wire path by utilizing this communication
scheme

IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2.3 9
Basic Design Data
1 The IC System
TM
can operate up to 750 individually controlled ICMs per wire path
2. The central control software communicates via the Integrated Control Interface (ICI) to the ICMs
on the course The ICI is mounted indoors and located near the central control computer It is
possible to remotely locate an ICI by radio, cellular or Ethernet communication See page 18 for
additional details System capacity is determined by the level of central control software as well
as the hardware within the ICI.
3 Each ICI contains a maximum of two (2) Driver Boards Each Driver Board has a maximum
capacity of two (2) wire path inputs
4 A single Driver Board has a maximum capacity of 1,500 stations when both wire paths are used
5 The ICI has a maximum capacity of 3,000 stations when all four (4) wire paths are used on the
two (2) Driver Boards
6 The IC System can be expanded above 3,000 stations with the optional hybrid capability of the
central control software Using the optional hybrid feature, multiple ICIs can be integrated into
the system, each with a capacity of 3,000 stations Consult the Rain Bird central control
brochure for additional information regarding the optional hybrid feature
7 An ICI-1500 has the capacity of 1,500 stations using two (2) wire path outputs on a single driver
board
8 An ICI-3000 has the capacity of 3,000 stations using four (4) wire path outputs on two (2) driver
boards

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IC System
TM
Design Guide, v2
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S stem Capacit
The System Capacities are as follows:
Wire Path
Maximum
of 750 ICMs
per wire path
Driver Board
Two (2) separate wire paths
Maximum
1
,
500 ICMs
per driver board
ICI
Two (2) dri
ver boards
Maximum
3
,
000 ICMs
per interface
Central
Control
Software
Software
Standard
Configuration*
Maximum
Number of
Stations**
Stratus LT 1 ICI and 1 wire path
(750 ICMs)
750 ICMs
Stratus II
1 ICI and
1
wire path
(750 ICMs)
6
,000 ICMs
(with Wire Path
Keycode and 2 ICIs)
Nimbus II
1 ICI and 4 wire paths
(3,000 ICMs)
24,000
ICMs
(with 8 ICIs)
Cirrus
12 ICIs and 48 wire paths
(36,000 ICMs)
36,000 ICMs
(with 12 ICIs)
* Standard configuration is number of stations and ICIs available in the software without purchasing a
Hybrid Software Module ICIs are purchased separately as needed and are not included with the central
control software
** Maximum stations available for each level of software when additional ICIs and Hybrid Software
Module are purchased
Flexible Design
The IC System
TM
was designed to be as flexible as possible to accommodate the future needs of the golf
course
While each wire path can accommodate 750 ICMs, if the wire path is expected to be at maximum
capacity, installing an additional wire path will create extra capacity for future expansion When
designing with multiple wire paths, try to balance the load between the wire paths in order to ensure
there is room for future expansion on the wire path