Control cables for your irrigation system
Control cables perform an important function in an automatically controlled irrigation system. They provide the electrical connection between the irrigation controller and the solenoid valves. When the controller sends a watering command, the corresponding solenoid valve is activated and the required irrigation zone is opened.
This allows you to irrigate different areas of your garden independently. For example, you can divide lawns with pop-up rotors, garden beds with drip irrigation and other planted areas into separate irrigation zones. Using the irrigation controller, you can then determine when and for how long each zone is watered.
Connecting the controller and solenoid valves
The control cable runs from the irrigation controller to the solenoid valves, which are often installed in a protected valve box. In a conventional 24 V irrigation system, the valves usually share a common wire, while additional wires control the individual solenoid valves and irrigation zones.
This allows you to connect several solenoid valves using a multi-core control cable. The number of wires required depends on the number of irrigation zones and your planned wiring layout. It is a good idea to include additional spare wires from the start. This makes it easier to expand your irrigation system with additional solenoid valves later.
Installing control cables in the garden
The wiring can be conveniently planned together with the PE pipes of your irrigation system. The control cable can be routed alongside the pipes to the valve box. This keeps the water pipes and electrical control wiring organised and makes it easier to locate them for future extensions or maintenance.
When choosing a cable, make sure it is suitable for the intended installation environment. Before filling in the trenches, connect all solenoid valves and test the individual irrigation zones. This allows you to check that each valve is correctly activated by the controller and that your automatic irrigation system works as planned.
Connecting solenoid valves securely
To connect the control cable to the solenoids, you need suitable cable connectors. Particularly inside a valve box, you should use connectors designed for damp environments. These allow the individual wires of the control cable to be reliably connected to the connection wires of the solenoid valves.
With control cables, suitable cable connectors, solenoid valves and a compatible irrigation controller, you can create a well-organised electrical control system for your garden irrigation. Plan the required irrigation zones before installing the cables, label the individual wires and keep a few spare wires available. This will make future maintenance and system extensions considerably easier.
