"Smart" controller efficiency testing for
Climate-based controllers
The Irrigation Association has developed an independent third party testing protocol specific to “smart” climatologically-based controllers. Currently the protocol is administered through the Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT), an independent testing laboratory, applied research facility and educational resource center based at California State University, Fresno. The objective of this protocol is to evaluate how well current commercial technology has integrated the scientific data into a practical system that meets the agronomic needs of turf and landscape plants.
Each product evaluation is conducted by creating a six-zone virtual landscape subjected to real-time climate through monitoring of a selected weather station to evaluate the ability of individual “smart” controllers to adequately and efficiently irrigate that landscape.
After initial programming and calibration, the controller is expected to perform without further intervention during the test period. Performance results indicate to what degree the controller maintained root zone moistures within an acceptable range:
- If moisture levels are maintained without deficit, it can be assumed the level of irrigation will be adequate to maintain the health and beauty of the landscape
- If moisture levels are maintained without excess, it can be assumed that scheduling maximizes water-use efficiency
Note: Central control systems
Please read this memo regarding
central control systems.
List of IA-SWAT performance reports for
“smart” controllers
Several “smart” controllers have completed IA-SWAT protocol testing and results
have been released by the manufacturer. For individual results, please click on the PDFs below.
Read the SWAT definition of a smart controller.