Irritrol MC-E - Manual (Page 5)


Control Wires Installation
Step 1 – Route the valve control wires between the valves and the MC-E controller.
For wire runs up to 1000’ between the controller and the valves, it is recommended to use an 18 AWG
(1.0 mm 2 ) multi-wire sprinkler valve connection cable. This cable is insulated for direct burial and is color
coded to simplify installation.
Step 2 – Attach one wire from each valve solenoid to
the white color-coded wire from the cable.
(Since the valve solenoid has no polarity, either
wire can be used for this connection.) Designate
this connection as the Valve Common.
Step 3 – Attach a separate cable wire to each of the
remaining valve solenoid wire. Take note of the
wire color being used for each valve as well
as the watering zone/area it is designated. This
information will be important when connecting
the valve wires to the controller’s station
terminals.
Step 4 – Use wire nut fasteners to secure the valve
solenoid wire connection. Waterproof all
connections with grease caps or similar
insulation method.
Step 5 – Route the other end of the control wires into the
provided conduit hole at the bottom of the cabinet. Leave about 8” of cable remaining in the cabinet. Expose
about 3/8” of bare wire from the station and the valve common wires.
Step 6 – Secure the valve common wire to one of the three terminals labeled “VALVE COMMON” and each valve wire
to its appropriate station terminal designation.
*
For flow monitoring, with a flow sensor installed, Station #2 is programmed and used as activation circuit for
a normally-open master valve instead of a regular station valve. (See page 36 “Install Critical Flow Shut Off
Master Valve”.)
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
MASTER
VALVE
YEL RED VALVE
COMMON
GND 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
Figure 2
Master
Valve
Pump Start
Relay
Station 1
*
Station 2 Station 3
*
Wiring for standard (non-flow sensing) system