"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, 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.

Performance Summaries 

Technical Reports 
04/15/2010 Alex-Tronix Universal Smart Module 04/15/2010 Alex-Tronix Universal Smart Module

 05/17/2007 Alex-Tronix Enercon Plus

09/04/2007 Alex-Tronix Enercon Plus

05/17/2007 Alex-Tronix Smart Clock

 09/04/2007 Alex-Tronix Smart Clock
09/10/2007 Aqua Conserve Aqua ET-9 09/07/2007 Aqua Conserve Aqua ET-9
04/11/2007 Calsense ET2000e 09/07/2007 Calsense ET2000e
04/11/2008 Cyber-Rain XCI 04/11/2008 Cyber-Rain XCI
09/09/2005 ETwater Smart Controller 03/17/2006 ETwater Smart Controller
04/11/2007 Hunter ET System 09/04/2007 Hunter ET System
01/15/2009 Hunter Solar Sync 01/15/2009 Hunter Solar Sync
10/08/2007 Hydrosaver ETIC 10/03/2007 Hydrosaver ETIC
01/09/2006 Irritrol Smart Dial 03/17/2006 Irritrol Smart Dial
05/11/2009 Rain Bird ESP-LX with ET Manager Cartridge 05/11/2009 Rain Bird ESP-LX with ET Manager Cartridge
06/01/2009 Rain Bird ESP-SMT 06/01/2009 Rain Bird ESP-SMT
06/27/2006 Rain Bird ET Manager 06/27/2006 Rain Bird ET Manager
04/11/2008 Rain Master RME Eagle 04/11/2008 Rain Master RME Eagle
07/15/2008 SMG Superior Controls Sterling 8  07/15/2008 SMG Superior Control Sterling 8
01/09/2006 Toro Intelli-Sense  03/17/2006 Toro Intelli-Sense
05/13/2009 Tucor RKS with Tipping Rain Bucket  05/13/2009 Tucor RKS with Tipping Rain Bucket
05/11/2009 WaterOptimizer  05/11/2009 WaterOptimizer
04/11/2007 Weathermatic SL1600  09/04/2007 Weathermatic SL1600
01/09/2006 WeatherTRAK  03/17/2006 WeatherTRAK