Wire Path - Rain Bird IC System Design Manual

Example – Total golf course need is 1,100 ICMs. We would suggest you plan on implementing two
primary wire paths with approximately 550 on each path. The purpose for this is to leave room for
expansion in the future.

Wire Path

TM
The IC System has been designed to provide great flexibility on each wire path. The low power
requirements of each ICM ensure that it is easy to design wire paths. There are three considerations
when sizing the wire path for an IC System.
•
Number of ICMs on the wire path.
•
Total length of wire path from the interface to the farthest ICM.
•
The initial length of wire path between the ICI and the first ICM on the wire path.
Take the time to carefully plan out the wire path and utilize the following documentation to aide in
planning. A properly designed and installed wire path will help to eliminate unnecessary problems after
installation.
Wire Sizing Charts
The following wire sizing charts provide the proper guidelines for wire sizing on the wire path. The most
important calculation is that of the primary Trunk wire length on each wire path. The Trunk wire length
is considered to be the "longest single run of wire" that will be needed for accommodating the design
quantity of ICMs on the wire path. The Trunk wire length does not consider any branches from the main
wire run in the calculation of wire length. Branches are wire runs that branch out from the Trunk wire in
the field, and they should be sized accordingly.
If an individual branch wire is less than 25% of the entire Trunk wire length, it can be one size smaller
than the gauge of the Trunk wire. A minimum of 14 AWG (2.5 mm
When the following chart indicates that the Trunk wire length requires 14 AWG (2.5 mm
branches can still utilize 14 AWG (2.5 mm
When the following chart indicates that the Trunk wire length requires 12 AWG (4 mm
branches can still utilize 14 AWG (2.5 mm
When the following chart indicates that the Trunk wire length requires 10 AWG (6 mm
branches can still utilize 12 AWG (4 mm
TM
IC System Design Guide, v2.3
2
) wire minimum.
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2
) wire size is required.
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