Par+ & MSC+ Installation Manual - Rain Bird...PAR+ & MSC+ Installation Manual 5 No electrical junction box is required for the last controller in the cluster (or for a stand-alone

PAR+ & MSC+ ControllerInstallation Manual

Contents

Introduction............................................. 1

System Configuration ............................1

Parts List and Tools Required forInstallation ..............................................1

Installation Checklist .............................1

Mount Controller Pedestal onPoured-In-Place Concrete Pad ............... 2

Concrete Pad Requirements .................2

Install L-Bolts in MountingTemplate(s) .............................................2

Before Pouring Concrete Pad ...............3

Pour the Concrete Pad andMount the Pedestal ................................3

Install Power Wiring(120, 220, or 240 VAC) ............................... 4

Install Junction Box ................................4

Surge Arrestor Installation(Recommended) ....................................5

Connect AC Power Supply ...................... 6

Connect AC Power .................................6

Connect Power Wires and SurgeSuppressor Wires ...................................6

Controller Grounding System ................ 7

Install MAXI 2-WireInterface Board ........................................ 7

Cable Connections .................................7

2-Wire Path Connections.......................8

Install the +LINK Radio/Modem Kit ...... 9

+LINK Power TransformerInstallation & Connection .....................9

+LINK Interface BoardInstallation ........................................... 10

Radio Modem Kit andAntenna Panel Installation ................. 10

Basic PAR+ and MSC+ Field Wiring ..... 11

Appendix 1 ............................................. 12

Grounding System Installation ......... 12

Ground Resistance .............................. 12

Installation Requirements ................. 13

Ground Rod Stacking .......................... 13

Grounding System Designs ............... 14

Appendix 2 ............................................. 17

Install an Additional Output StationModule (OSM) ..................................... 17

PAR+ & MSC+ Installation Manual 1

PAR+ & MSC+ Controller Installation Manual

Conduit cutting tool

Adjustable wrench or pliers

Phillips screwdriver

Small flat blade screwdriver

Level

Tape measure

Electrical wire

Wire cutters/strippers

Wire nuts (or other code-approved wireconnectors)

Intermatic AG-2401 Surge Arrestor (recom-mended)

Metal junction box (4" x 4" x 1½") — One foreach controller being installed (except lastcontroller in a cluster)

Grounding grid installation materials (Rec-ommended; see Appendix 1)

To install your PAR+ or MSC+ controller, werecommend that you complete the followingsteps in order.

Choose location and pourconcrete pad ......................................... Page 2

Mount controller pedestal onconcrete pad ......................................... Page 3

Install junction box ............................... Page 4

Install surge arrestor ........................... Page 5

Connect AC power supply .................. Page 6

Connect power wiring ......................... Page 6

Install MAXI 2-wire interface board ... Page 7

Install +LINK Radio/Modem kit (for wirelessmodels without Radio/Modem Kitpre-installed) ........................................ Page 9

IntroductionThis manual shows how to install your newPAR+ or MSC+ irrigation controller. Refer to thecontroller’s Operation Manual for instructionson programming and operating your controller.

PAR+ and MSC+ controllers may be installed inthree different configurations:

Stand-Alone Models — Controller operatesindependently and is not connected to acentral control system.

Two-Wire Models — Controller is hard-wired to a central control system through a2-wire connection.

Wireless (LINK) Models — Controller isconnected to a central control system via awireless radio/modem unit.

Before beginning installation, make sure youhave the following parts and required tools andmaterials.

PAR+ & MSC+ Controller InstallationManual

PAR+ or MSC+ controller

Plastic controller mounting template

Four L-bolts

Eight stainless steel nuts

Four large washers

Four small split-ring washers

Hammer, nails, framing lumber, concrete,trowel, etc. (for concrete pad)

Half-inch and four-inch non-metallic con-duit, sweep ells, and appropriate fittings forrouting power wires, communication wires,and valve wires

2 PAR+ & MSC+ Installation Manual

Mount Controller Pedestal on Poured-In-Place Concrete PadMount the controller on a poured-in-placeconcrete pad. Orient the pad to provide easyaccess of electrical conduit into the front of thecontroller. Make sure the pad is flat and level toallow the controller’s doors and lid to open andclose properly.

Location — Any convenient outdoor locationwith access to AC power.

NOTE: Do not locate the concrete padin low-lying areas that may flood duringheavy rains.

Size — 20" x 20" minimum (If mounting mul-tiple controllers on the same pad, size the pad toallow at least eight inches clearance betweencontrollers).Thickness — Two inches (minimum).

!1. Slip a large washer over each L-bolt and

screw four of the 5/16" stainless steel nutsonto the L-bolts.

2. Insert the L-bolts into the threaded holes inthe plastic mounting template.

3. Screw another stainless steel nut onto eachL-bolt to hold it in place.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 with templates for othercontrollers (if installing multiple controllers).


1. Position a ½-inch sweep “ell” for the 120-,

220-, or 240-volt power wires. Positionanother ½-inch sweep ell to carry powerwires to other controllers (if installing mul-tiple controllers on the same pad). Refer toFigure 2.

2. Position a ½-inch sweep ell for the 2-wirecommunication wires (for 2-wire systemsonly). Place another ½-inch sweep ell tocarry communication wires to other control-lers (if installing multiple controllers on thesame pad).

3. Position a 4-inch ell for the valve outputwiring, valve common wires, master valvewiring, ground wire, etc.

4. Run all power wires, communication wires,and field wiring through their appropriateconduits.

1. Pour the concrete pad around the properly

positioned sweep ells.

2. Lower the mounting template onto the pad,setting the L-bolts into concrete. Make surethe template is level and properly orientedbefore setting it into concrete. Make surethe L-bolts extend true vertical from thepad.

3. If installing multiple controllers, positionthe mounting templates for the othercontrollers. Make sure to maintain aminimum 8-inch clearance distance be-tween controllers.

4. After the concrete hardens, remove the fourexposed nuts from the L-bolts.

5. Lower the controller pedestal onto the L-bolts in the template. Place a split-ringwasher on each bolt and use the stainlesssteel nuts to securely bolt the controllerpedestal to the concrete pad.


Install Power Wiring (120, 220, or 240 VAC)2. Secure the junction box to the conduit using

a short nipple and the required fittings (asshown in Figure 4).

3. Punch out one of the knockouts in the sideof the junction box and use the hole toinstall the recommended Intermatic modelAG-2401 surge arrestor (see “Surge ArrestorInstallation.”)

" #Refer to figure 3 for an overview of how powerand communication wiring connects fromcontroller to controller in a cluster.

PAR+ and MSC+ controllers must have a metaljunction box installed on the bottom of thecontroller’s wiring compartment. The firstcontroller in a cluster (and any othercontroller(s) feeding power to another control-ler) must be equipped with a junction box.

CAUTION: To avoid a serious shockhazard, make sure the primary ACpower source to the controller is OFFbefore installing power wiring.

1. Punch out a junction box knockout and

attach the box to the half-inch power wireconduit. Route the hot (black), neutral(white), and green (ground) power wiresinto the junction box.

!!

AG2401

Junction Box

" #$


No electrical junction box is required for the lastcontroller in the cluster (or for a stand-alonemodel that does not feed power to anothercontroller).

Run the half-inch conduit directly to the con-troller wiring compartment and use an appro-priate fitting to connect the conduit to thewiring compartment.

$ !Rain Bird recommends installing a surge arres-tor to protect the controller’s power wiringcircuits from voltage fluctuations. Recom-mended surge arrestor models include theIntermatic AG-2401 (or 1G2401LA1), and theJoslyn Surgitron (model 1250-33).

To order a surge arrestor, contact Intermatic,Inc. at (815) 675-2321; or Joslyn ElectronicSystems at (800) 752-6068.

1. Knockout a hole in the side (left or right) of

the metal junction box and mount the surgearrestor in the knockout hole.

2. Extend the surge arrestor wires (two black,one white) into the junction box with the ACpower wires.

For stand-alone and 2-wire installations, youmay choose to install the surge arrestor in thevacant compartment designed for the wirelesstransformer.

CAUTION: To avoid a serious shockhazard, make sure the primary ACpower source to the controller is OFF.

1. Remove the power supply access panel.

2. Punch out the bottom left knockout hole inthe power supply compartment. Mount thesurge arrestor into the knockout hole.

3. Connect the surge arrestor wires to thecontroller’s power wires as described in“Connect Power Wires and Surge ArrestorWires.”

4. Replace the controller’s power supplyaccess panel.


Connect AC Power Supply

$%CAUTION: To avoid a serious shockhazard, make sure the primary ACpower source to the controller is OFF.

1. Punch out a knockout hole in the top of thejunction box and run a length of conduitfrom the junction box to the controller’spower supply compartment.

2. Use appropriate fittings to connect theconduit to the junction box and the powersupply compartment.

3. Run three power wires (black, white, andgreen) from the power supply compartmentdown into the junction box.

4. Attach the power wires to the modularsnap-in connector in the power supplycompartment, as shown in the diagram onthe power supply access cover (see Figure5).

5. Use the 3-position selector switch to choosecorrect voltage option for your installation(The default voltage setting is 220 VAC).

NOTE: Select the correct voltage beforeturning on AC power. If the switchposition is changed after applyingpower, the controller will be damaged.

%&&1. In the junction box, connect the AC power

wires (black, white, and green) as shown inFigure 6.

2. Wire the two black surge arrestor lead wiresinto the controller’s 120, 220, or 240 VACpower wiring. Connect one of the two blacksurge arrestor lead wires to the HOT (black)power wire.

NOTE: Use only double-crimp stylewire nuts approved by local regulationsfor all PAR+ and MSC+ wiring connec-tions.

3. Connect the other black surge arrestor leadwire to the NEUTRAL (white) power wire.

4. Connect the white surge arrestor groundwire to one of the controller’s brass ground-ing lugs.

%& '( )

*+++,'(


Controller Grounding SystemEach controller location, or cluster of control-lers, requires a grounding system to protect yourcontroller(s) from lightning damage.

The grounding system should maintain aground resistance of ten ohms or less. Anything15 ohms or greater offers little protection to thecontroller’s electronic circuits.

Refer to Appendix 1 for details on installing anappropriate grounding system for your loca-tion.

Install MAXI 2-WireInterface Board

NOTE: Follow this procedure only for 2-wire installations.

The Maxi 2-wire board mounts under thecontrol module (face panel) of the basic PAR+or MSC+ controller.

-&'./0

1. Remove the four screws from the facepanel bezel (not the interior face panelscrews) and lift out the control module.

2. Use four #4-40 machine screws to attachthe MAXI 2-Wire module to the bottom ofthe control module, as shown in Figure 9.

' Connect the 10-pin ribbon cable from theconnector on the left end of the MAXI 2-Wireboard to the 10-pin connector on the left end ofthe Power Interconnect Module.


(& On the lower front of the controller is a 4-terminal connection block (as shown in Figure8).

1. Connect the HOT (red) wire of the 2-wirecommunication path to terminal #1 (lowerleft terminal).

2. Connect the COM (black) wire of the 2-Wirecommunication path to terminal #2.

3. Connect the HOT (red) wire of the 2-Wirecommunication path going to the nextcontroller in this cluster (if any) to terminal#3.

4. Connect the COM (black) wire of the 2-Wirecommunication path going to the nextcontroller in this cluster to terminal #4(bottom right terminal). 1(


Install the +LINK Radio/Modem Kit)*+% ,

NOTE: Follow this procedure only forwireless systems without a Radio/Modem Kit (RMK) pre-installed.

CAUTION: To avoid a serious shockhazard, make sure the primary ACpower source to the controller is OFF.

Install the +LINK Power Transformer (P/N633254) in the transformer wiring compartmentin the space to the left of the main PAR+/MSC+Power Transformer. (See Figure 9).

1. Remove the two screws securing the PowerSupply Access Cover.

2. Remove the two screws from the reverseside of the power supply and the one screwfrom the bottom of the power supply.

3. Remove the secondary power connectorfrom the power interface board.

4. Remove the main AC power connector fromthe snap-in terminal block.

5. Insert the +LINK transformer into thepower supply and run the orange wiresthrough the hole in the top of the compart-ment.

6. Feed the wires through the power supplyhole and secure the transformer using thenuts provided.

7. Attach the green ground wire to the ground-ing post.

8. Plug the +LINK transformer’s white maleconnector into the free white female powersupply connector.

9. Replace the power supply in the controllerand secure it with its screws.

10. Reattach all power connections.

2345


)*+ The +LINK Interface Board mounts under thecontrol module (face panel) of the basic PAR+or MSC+ controller

1. Remove the four screws from the face panelbezel (not the interior face panel screws)and lift out the control module.

2. Use four #4-40 machine screws to attach the+LINK Interface Board module to thebottom of the control module, as shown inFigure 10.

3. Attach the 10-pin ribbon cable from theconnector on the left end of the +LINKBoard to the 10-pin connector on the leftend of the Power Interconnect Board.

4. Attach the nine-pin Radio/Modem datacable into the connector on the bottom ofthe +LINK Board. Pass the cable through thelower right hole in the bottom of the pedes-tal.

5. Plug the other end of the nine-pin cable intothe Radio/Modem link module.

6. Plug the link transformer power Wire Con-nector in the two-pin connector.

7. Replace the Control Panel Assembly andcontinue with the installation.

+ $ 1. Slide the radio unit into its mounting bracket

on the antenna panel, as shown in Figure 11.

2. Attach the modem board to the antennapanel using the four screws provided.

3. Plug the connector cable from the modemboard into the radio unit.

4. Plug the connector from the antenna intothe radio unit.

5. Insert the metal tabs on the base of theantenna panel into the slots in the controllerlid and use the two snap-in connectors tosecure the antenna panel inside the lid.

+3/67/8

3/679&


Basic PAR+ and MSC+ FieldWiringOn the right end of each Output Station Module(OSM) board is an 8-terminal station outputterminal block. Run the station HOT wire fromeach appropriate terminal out to the Valve-in-Head sprinklers or Remote Control Valves inthe field.

Terminal #1 on the first OSM board controlsstation #1. Terminal #2 controls station #2, andso on.

On the second OSM, terminal #1 controlsstation #9, terminal #2 controls station #10, etc.Each succeeding OSM picks up with terminal #1controlling the next numerical station after thelast station on the preceding OSM.

Connect each station valve wire to its appropri-ate terminal on the controller’s terminal strips(i.e., station 1 to terminal #1, station 2 to termi-nal #2, etc.) Each station can control up to fourvalves.

NOTE: It may be necessary to splicestation valve wires together to makethem fit into the terminal strip connec-tors.

Connect a “common” wire to one of the leadson each valve. Connect the other end of thecommon wire to the “VLV COM” terminal onthe controller’s terminal strip.

NOTE: Wire used to connect the valvesmust be code-approved for under-ground installation.

(


Appendix 1- To prevent lightning damage to your equipment,Rain Bird recommends installing a groundingsystem for the equipment (including controllers,weather stations, and central control systems).

The grounding system discharges lightning-induced electrical current into the earth ratherthan allow the surge to pass through power wiresor field wires to your equipment’s electroniccomponents.

- Ground resistance occurs when groundingsystem components, or the soil itself, oppose theflow of electricity into the earth. Ground resis-tance is measured in units called “ohms” (Ω).

The higher the ground resistance (higher ohmreadings), the less chance the surge will beshunted to ground rather than to theequipment’s electronic components.

Figure 13 shows points where groundingsystems can develop resistance.

To decrease ground resistance, Rain Birdrecommends irrigating the soil around thegrounding system. Each grounding systemshould have a dedicated irrigation zone withsprinkler heads and its own watering program tomaintain soil moisture around the groundingsystem.

A properly installed grounding system shouldmaintain a maximum ground resistance of 10ohms, or less.

If you are unable to reach a resistance of 10ohms or less, you can decrease resistance bysurrounding the grounding rods or plates withground enhancement material, such as POWERSET from Paige Electric Corporation(P/N 1820058), or GEM from ERICO(P/N GEM-25A).

If ground resistance still measures higher than10 ohms, you can extend the ground rod lengthas described in “Ground Rod Stacking,” or useadditional grounding rods, as shown in ground-ing system design “Y” (Alternate).

":)! )


The following requirements apply to allgrounding system designs (design “Y” and the“Grounding Plate” design).

All grounding rods or plates must be connectedtogether below grade with #6 AWG or larger solidbare copper wire.

Install the connecting wire in as straight a line aspossible. If you must make a turn or bend in thewire, make the turn in a sweeping curve with aminimum radius of eight inches and a minimumincluded angle of 90°.

To minimize resistance, the copper wire must bepre-welded to the grounding rods/plates, orwelded to the rods/plates using an exothermicwelding process at the site.

Make sure all welds are secure before buryingthe grounding rods. Rods and plates with weldedjoints do not need periodic visual inspectionand can be fully buried (no valve box required).

Measure the ground resistance around thegrounding system after installation, and onceevery year after that.

NOTE: The ground wire from the equip-ment to the grounding system shouldbe as short as possible and have nobends, kinks, or coils in the wire.

Inspect the grounding system’s clamped con-nections to the equipment (not the weldedgrounding system connections) once a year tomake sure they are secure and corrosion-free.

- Threaded couplers (shown inFigure 14) are ground rod splices.

If a single grounding rod fails to produce 10-ohm ground resistance (maximum), threadedcouplers can be used to “stack” grounding rods.

NOTE: Use threaded couplers made ofthe same material as your groundingrods.

Stacking ground rods increases the total effec-tive rod length, decreasing ground resistance.

Joining the rods together with threaded couplersforms a secure connection so the groundingrods can be assembled quickly and easily.

;4


-.

Design “Y” (shown in Figures 15 and 16) con-sists of three, 5/8"-diameter x 8-foot-long,copper-clad grounding rods. Install the rods ina radial 120° star (“Y”) configuration.

Each rod must be installed in a true verticalposition, at least 16 feet from the equipment.

NOTE: All grounding system diagramsare not to exact scale.

%<=< +> ?=@

*:)?=@ A


An alternate design “Y” (shown in Figures 17and 19) uses three radials in a 120° star (“Y”)arrangement. Each radial consists of three, 5/8"-diameter x 8-foot long copper-clad ground-ing rods.

The first rod in each radial must be at least eightfeet from the equipment. The rest of the rodsmust be at least 16 feet from any other rod.

-?=@B' C +>

15 !)?=@


The “Grounding Plate” design (shown in Figures19 and 20) consists of one vertical 8-foot cop-per-clad grounding rod at least eight feet fromthe equipment, and a copper grounding plate(minimum dimensions 4" x 96" x .0625"). Installthe grounding plate horizontally, three feet deepand 15 feet from the grounding rod.

25?: @

+5?: @) A


Appendix 2 $/ /!The basic PAR+ & MSC+ controller comes with aminimum of two OSMs (Output Station Mod-ules) already installed. The OSMs are mountedat the top of the powerboard mounting plate,just below the Power Interconnect Module.

OSMs are held in place by two tabs on the leftside of the mounting plate, and by two screws onthe right side of the OSM board.

Each OSM can control up to eight stations, sothe basic 2-OSM configuration can control atotal of 16 stations (each station can control upto four remote- control valves).

You can install a maximum of four additionalOSM boards, expanding the controller’s capacityto a maximum of 48 stations.

1. To install the new OSM(s), slide the left endof the OSM under the mounting tabs on theleft side of the powerboard mounting plate.

2. Secure the right side of the OSM to themounting plate with two #6-32 machinescrews.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each additionalOSM.

!!! 1. Insert the 16-wire ribbon cable coming from

the top left of the new OSM into the 16-pinconnector on the bottom left of the OSMabove it.

2. Repeat Step 1 to connect the ribbon cable forany other OSM(s) being installed.

" On the right end of each OSM board is an eight-pin terminal station output connector.

Each station wire bundle is labeled with thenumbers of the stations it controls. Connect thebundled station wires to the OSMs as follows:

1. Insert the appropriate eight-wire terminalblock into the eight-pin connector on theright side of the new OSM. For example, forOSM 3, insert the field wire bundle labeled“Stations 17 - 24.”

=$ )$1) ;& B ;&C

2. Repeat Step 1 to connect the field wires forany other OSM(s) being installed.

Remember, each OSM controls eight station.(OSM 1 controls stations 1 - 8, OSM 2 controlsstations 9 - 16, OSM 3 controls stations 17 - 24,and so on.)

Make sure to connect the correct labeled fieldwire bundle to the correct OSM.

Warning: This equipment has been tested andfound to comply with the limits for a Class Adigital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCCRules. These limits are designed to providereasonable protection against harmful interfer-ence when the equipment is operated in acommercial environment. This equipmentgenerates, uses and can radiate radio frequencyenergy and, if not installed and used in accor-dance with the instructions, may cause interfer-ence to radio communications. Operation of thisequipment in a residential area is likely to cause

harmful interference in which case the user willbe required to correct the interference at theirown expense.

Changes or modifications not expressly ap-proved by Rain Bird Irrigation Corp. could voidthe user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Documents

Par+ & MSC+ Installation Manual - Rain Bird...PAR+ & MSC+ Installation Manual 5 No electrical junction box is required for the last controller in the cluster (or for a stand-alone