Baseline Systems BaseStation 6000 User Manual

Page 129

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maximum allowed depletion (MAD): When the soil moisture content reaches this level, irrigation needs to start. In most cases,

the maximum allowed depletion level is just before the plants begin to show visible signs of stress.

mesh radio: A wireless communication network made up of radio nodes in which there are at least two pathways of

communication to each node.

microclimate: The climate of a specific location within a landscape. Variations in climate are influenced by subtle differences in

temperature, humidity, and wind exposure. Microclimates can have a significant impact on plant water needs.

offset value: A calibration factor for a flow device that compensates for limitations in the device’s ability to measure small

signals adequately. Manufacturers give the maximum amount of offset associated with their flow device in the device

specification.

over current (also known as excess current): A situation where a greater-than-intended electric current is supplied due to short

circuits, excessive load, and/or incorrect design.

pause device: An electronic device that can be configured to suspend watering based on specific conditions. The BaseStation

6000 accommodates a variety of pause devices including those that monitor wind, rain, air temperature, flow, or pressure. You

can also configure an outside operation button that will pause the system from a remote location.

Penman-Monteith Evapotranspiration Equation: A mathematical formula that requires daily mean temperature, wind speed,

relative humidity, and solar radiation to predict net evapotranspiration. This equation was developed by Howard Penman and

John Monteith.

permanent wilting point: When soil moisture content reaches this level, plants can no longer get water from the soil, and they

will wilt and die.

pore: In soil, a space between mineral particles that allows water to infiltrate into the soil.

powered decoder: A decoder device that interprets the signals that it receives from the controller and tells the valve to turn on

or off. A powered decoder is designed to retrofit into existing systems and requires 120 VAC service at installation location.

precipitation rate: See application rate

primary zone: a zone in your BaseStation 6000 system configuration that is at an address with a lower number than the other

linked zones within the same hydrozone. For example, if zones 1 – 50 are in one hydrozone, zone 1 would be the primary zone.

The zone is configured as either Auto or Timed.

rain gauge: A type of rain sensor that collects and measures rain water. This sensor can be configured to halt watering based on

a specific amount of rain received.

rain sensor: A device that detects rain and can be configured to halt watering. A rain gauge and a rain switch are two types of

rain sensors that can be configured in the BaseStation 6000 system.

rain switch: A type of rain sensor that uses hydroscopic discs to detect rain and halt watering. When the discs dry out, the

irrigation system is ready to water again.

reference ET (ETo): A factor used to adjust ET-based watering for a specific site. Reference ET is typically calculated based on

inputs from weather sensors and data for a reference crop such as Kentucky bluegrass.

Remote Base Unit™: A component of the BaseStation 6000 system that manages an electrically isolated irrigation sub-system

and is able to support 200 valves

run time: The total time that a zone is watering. In an Intelligent Soak Cycle, the total watering run time is calculated by

multiplying the minutes for each watering cycle by the number of cycles.

runoff: When the soil moisture content is at the saturation level, any excess water from rain, snow melt, or irrigation drains to a

low point in the landscape.

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