HOR 135 Irrigation Controllers and Instrumentation

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 2
Credits: 3

Discusses irrigation controls, installation, sensors, programming for water efficiency and conservation, irrigation control systems, and troubleshooting. Includes residential, commercial, agricultural and nursery/greenhouse irrigation systems. Analyzes the types of control systems and procedures. Includes a practical, hands-on lab to demonstrate knowledge of industry-based practices and procedures. Focuses on the installation and troubleshooting of irrigation systems, valves, sprinklers, system piping, controls, and wiring.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Install irrigation systems
Program irrigation systems to improve irrigation efficiency and conserve water resources
Operate different control systems
Integrate electrical and mechanical components
Troubleshoot and repair irrigation systems

Content Outline

Controllers
- Methods of Operation
  - Weather data
  - Soil moisture data
- Categories
  - Historical evapotranspiration (ET)
  - Internet-based
  - Paging signal
  - On-site systems
  - Soil moisture-based systems
- Types of controllers
  - Battery operated controllers
  - Central control systems
  - Commercial irrigation controllers
  - Residential irrigation controllers
  - Smart controllers
  - Solar controllers
  - Two-wire decoders
- Controller enclosures
Sensors
- Rain sensors
  - Installing
  - Wiring
  - Programming
  - Optimizing
- Wind sensors
  - Installing
  - Wiring
  - Programming
  - Optimizing
- Soil moisture sensors
  - Installing
  - Wiring
  - Programming
  - Optimizing
- Multiple sensor systems
  - Installing
  - Wiring
  - Programming
  - Optimizing
Irrigation control systems
- Central controls
- Field controllers
- Decoders
- Remote controls
Software
- Irrigation programing