8
ESPLXD-ET Controller
Decoders
The ESPLXD-ET controls your irrigation system using decoders.
A decoder is a device which attaches to the 2-Wire path and performs
a task such as opening a valve for irrigation. Some, such as sensor
decoders can be used to provide weather sensor status to the controller.
Typically a controller has several decoders connected, each with one or
more valves attached. Valve outputs at the controller are called stations
and are numbered sequentially. ESPLXD-ET controller is designed to
keep track of your decoders so that once installed and set up all you
have to do is manage irrigation for the various stations.
Types of Decoders
Field Decoders
Used to open and close valves for irrigation, these are the most
commonly used decoders.
Master Valve (MV) Decoders
Used to open and close master valves. Both Normally Open master
valves (NOMVs) and Normally Closed master valves (NCMVs) are
supported. The ESPLXD-ET controller can manage up to five Master
Valves.
Weather Sensor Decoders
Used to provide an interface between the weather device and the
controller. The ESPLXD-ET controller can support up to three weather
sensor decoders.
Local Sensor
The ESPLXD-ET controller can also interface to a local sensor, such as
a rain shutoff device. The local weather sensor connects directly to
the ESP-LXD-M50 module via a separate wired or wireless connection
rather than through a Sensor Decoder connected to the 2-Wire path.
The ESPLXD-ET controller supports one Local Sensor.
Field Decoder Addresses
Field decoders have unique five digit address identifiers. Decoder
addresses can be reprogrammed if necessary, using the Rain Bird DPU-
210 Decoder Programming Unit.
Rain Bird Field Decoder Models
Decoder
Model
Number of
Addresses
Per Decoder
Maximum
Number Of
Solenoids
Per Address
Maximum
Addresses
Operating At
Once
FD-101
1
1
1
FD-102
1
2
1
FD-202
2
2
2
FD-401*
4
1
4
FD-601*
6
1
4
* Decoder includes Line Surge Protection.
Some decoders can support more than one valve. For example, an
FD-102 decoder has a single address, but can control 2 different
valves. However both valves would always have to open and close
simultaneously since the FD102 only has a single address. An FD-401
could manage four valves, each independently since four addresses are
available.
b
b
NOTE:
The ESPLXD-ET controller also supports setup by scanning
decoder barcode labels using the optional Programming Backup
Cartridge (PBC-LXD). See Section E for more details.
ESPLXD-ET user-manual (670504-01) artwork_120716.indb 8
7/16/2012 3:48:04 PM