Wiring An Irrigation Valve To An Irrigation Controller
This article explains how to wire an irrigation valve to an irrigation controller. Once the valve or valve manifold is installed you are ready to wire each valve. In addition, the bundle of wires will need to be run to the area where you plan to install the timer.
For Each Manifold Location You Will Need The Following Supplies:
- A bundle of wires consists of multiple color wires and one white wire known as the common wire.
Note: Most common wire sizes used for a sprinkler system are 16-gauge wire and 18-Gauge Wire.
Waterproof connectors are filled with a silicone substance. These waterproof wire connectors protect the wiring from possible water damage or corrosion issues which can lead to all kinds of electrical problems or valve failure.
- Attach a separate color-coded wire to one of the leads on each of the valve solenoids.
NOTE About How To Wire An Irrigation Valve To A Irrigation Controller: Above all, it does not matter which wire lead is chosen on the solenoid. You must connect the wires using waterproof caps. Waterproof caps are filled with silicone. This will seal the wires from moisture.
- The other lead from each valve will be attached to the common white wire. Once again use the waterproof wire connectors to make the connection. If a wire is too short to reach you can simply splice another piece of common wire by connecting the wires together with the waterproof water connectors.
- After that, you will run the bundle of wires under the irrigation pipes. The wires will be put on the bottom of the trench. The pipes will be installed on top of the wires. This will add extra protection for the electrical wiring from being damaged by yard tools such as shovels, hoe blades, etc…
- Install the irrigation pipes and secure the wires to the pipes with electrical tape. Leave the wires untrimmed until you are ready to attach them to the controller.
Shop: Sprinkler Valves
Shop: Sprinkler Controllers
Note:
Wires must be buried at least 6″ deep. Wires that run up the side of a structure to reach the timer should be secured with plastic electrical staples.
Refer to the illustration shown above to wire the valves correctly. The color-coding of the wires makes it easier to identify the controller/timer.
Wiring Summary:
In conclusion, it is important to use a waterproof connector for each connection. The common wire will connect from the controller to one lead from each of the valve solenoids. A separate colored wire will connect from the controller to each of the remaining leads in the solenoid on each valve.
Remember it does not matter which of the two wires from the solenoid is chosen for the hot (positive or lead wire) or common wire coming from the controller. For instance, you can connect either wire from the sprinkler controller to either of the valve solenoid wires.
