Rain Bird IC System Design Manual page 8

Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS)
Rain Bird recommends the use of a pure sine wave UPS to provide battery backup in cases of power
fluctuations or loss of power to the Integrated Control Interface Plus (ICI+). When operated by battery the
IC System requires a "pure sine wave" signal; not a modified, square or PWM wave. Use of an improper
UPS may cause adverse system operation.
The computer running the Central Control software and ICI+ should be the only equipment plugged into
the battery side of the UPS, any other equipment should use the non-battery plugs on the UPS. Rain Bird
has verified APC model Smart-UPS 1500 as a good option for the IC System. Different countries may have
differing requirements. APC typically makes a Smart-UPS for each country according to the needs of that
country. If sourcing a UPS for a different country, please source the UPS in the country in which the system
will be operated. For example, do not purchase a Smart-UPS in the United States and ship it to Asia. The
local Rain Bird distributor can assist in sourcing the appropriate UPS in-country.
Less expensive UPS models are available in a variety of stores, but it has been our experience that many
of these do not produce the "pure sine wave" signal required by the IC System. Please specify the APC
Smart-UPS 1500 model for the IC System. If another UPS has been identified, please work with your local
Rain Bird representative or distributor to ensure proper specification.
How the system works
The IC System uses a data transfer method that sends packets of information across a two-wire path. Each
ICM has a unique hexadecimal address that allows the central control software to communicate with each
ICM individually.
The ICM has a unique "Long Address" pre-assigned from the factory that identifies it in the central control
software. The Long Address is like having a phone number for each ICM. Each ICM has a label on the
outside of the housing with a barcode and the printed Long Address. The user must enter the Long
Address into the central control software at initial start-up. This Long Address is used for station On/Off
commands, ICM Voltage diagnostics and the Quick Check.
The central control software communicates with the ICMs in the field through a high-speed method of
communication. For this communication each ICM is assigned a Fast Connect Address. The Fast Connect
Address is assigned automatically by the central control software when the ICM is first connected to the
system.
The Fast Connect Address is a method by which the Central Control Software can quickly communicate
with more than one ICM at a time. Fast Connect Addressing is used for basic diagnostics and not for
irrigation control.
8 IC System Design Guide, v2.4