Sensor Technology

Advanced technology for advanced irrigation

Acclima strives to lead the industry in innovation and technology. Our patented Digital TDT® Moisture Sensor is the industry's only absolute, stable moisture sensor.

May technological advances have arisen due to superior sensor technology. Acclima's controllers now offer advanced central control and automated watering offering significant water savings. Conservation is only one way to benefit from Acclima's technology.

2-Wire Technology

Advanced 2-Wire System Technology

Acclima irrigation control systems use moisture sensors to measure the absolute water content of the soil and use this measurement to apply the optimum amount of water at the proper time. This process requires the sensors to communicate with and receive electrical power from the controller. Acclima has developed a proprietary system that allows multiple sensors (and other devices) to receive power and maintain communications over just two wires.

For new systems, a single wire pair (or multiple wire pairs) can be used to circumscribe the property and interconnect all sensors, valves, flow meters, etc. attached to that 2-wire network. The 2-wire bus serves dual purposes: First, it conveys 24 volts ac to provide power for the valves and for other devices on the system. Second, it conveys a special combination of frequency domain and time domain multiplexed signals to maintain robust, error-free communications with the sensors, valve adapters, flow meters, etc.

Irrigation Technology

Revolutionizing irrigation methods

Acclima's sensor technology enabled the formation of two new irrigation techniques. Acclima's success has been implementing these new irrigation methods into its controllers.

Suspended Cycle® Irrigation	Water on Demand® Irrigation
Suspended Cycle® systems are set like a traditional timer controller, with watering schedules, start times and durations. The difference is that the system will inhibit (suspend) the next scheduled irrigation program when there is sufficient moisture in the soil. The system constantly monitors soil moisture levels and will only permit the scheduled watering if the soil needs more water. Suspended Cycle® systems have a user set “moisture threshold.” Before the scheduled watering program the controller takes a moisture reading from the soil. If the moisture level is at or above the “moisture threshold” the controller will suspend the watering program. If the moisture level is below the “lower threshold” the controller will permit the program to water.	Water on Demand™ systems require no schedule programming and apply water when the soil moisture level falls below a set threshold. These systems will only apply the water needed to raise the moisture to an upper threshold. This system has a “lower” and “upper threshold.” Water on Demand™ systems constantly monitor the soil moisture levels. When the level falls below the “lower threshold” the controller irrigates until the moisture reading reaches the “upper threshold.” The system will only water when needed and will only apply the necessary water, maintaining the soil moisture level in a constant range. Watering windows may be programmed to allow irrigation only during specific times.
The controller is set to irrigate everyday; however, it actually irrigates only when the moisture level is below the set moisture threshold of 15%. Notice when it rained on Thursday the controller suspended irrigation for several days automatically. Suspended Cycle® Irrigation is easy to setup. Set your moisture threshold and set your controller to water as often as possible, then let the controller take care of the rest.	The controller only waters when the moisture level is below the "lower threshold" and stops watering when the moisture level hits the "upper threshold." Notice when it rained on Thursday the duration between irrigation was automatically increased for several days. Water on Demand® Irrigation is easy to setup. Set your moisture thresholds then set a "water window" when you want the controller to irrigate. Water on Demand® is the most efficient irrigation method possible, only watering when needed the correct amount of water needed.

The key to Acclima's accurate irrigation is the sensor. The sensor measures moisture by volume on an absolute basis reporting accurate readings to the controller.