Rain Bird IC System Design Manual page 16

Non-Rain Bird Wire Path Devices
Third-party fuse or switch devices are available in the market that offer the ability to isolate portions of a
wire path for troubleshooting purposes. These fuse/switch devices are designed for DECODER type
control systems to facilitate troubleshooting when a wire path has lost communication due to a shorted
decoder. However, this type of failure is extremely rare in IC System because the ICM is designed to
remove itself from the wire path when damaged and not impact communication on the rest of the wire
path. For this reason, Rain Bird strongly discourages the use of third-party switches on the IC System.
Third-party fuse/switch devices are an unnecessary extra device on the wire path with the potential to
become a failure point. Such devices may also prevent the Rain Bird central control software and IC System
diagnostics from properly identifying and locating field issues.
Grounding
Proper grounding is very important for the IC system. Grounding is accomplished through use of the
following components:
1. Central control equipment (Central computer and Interface(s)) use MAXI™ Surge Protectors (MSP-
1's) installed on a MAXI Grounding Plate (MGP-1) on each wire path, which isolate the central
control equipment from the field.
a. Remote located interfaces also require the above-mentioned grounding equipment.
b. Note: Each MGP-1 mounts two MSP-1s.
2. In field isolated grounding points utilize ICSD surge devices which are installed on the wire path.
These isolate sections of the wire path to create containment zones for surge energy to shunt to
ground.
3. The ICM has built in surge protection standard (20 kV).
For a more detailed view of Rain Bird Grounding philosophy please review the "Surge Protection
& Grounding Recommendations for Rain Bird Golf Control Systems" document available from
the specifier portal on the Rain Bird Golf website.
Grounding Requirements – Interface Location
Grounding for the central control system should be installed as closely as possible to the location for the
central control computer and interface. This "central grounding grid" should consist of MAXI™ Surge
Protectors (MSP-1) for each wire path installed on MAXI Grounding Plates (MGP-1) as required. The MGP
should then be connected/bonded to ground rods or plates. For locations where the interface is "remotely
located" the interface should also have a localized grounding grid.
The central grounding grid should reach an earth ground resistance of 10 Ohms (10 Ω) or less for proper
surge protection, 5 ohms or less of ground resistance is preferable. At the ICI+, for a long run (greater than
16 IC System Design Guide, v2.4