When troubleshooting an irrigation system, where should one begin?

• A. At the first valve
• B. At the pump
• C. At the controller
• D. At the water source

Answer: (C)

Starting at the controller when troubleshooting an irrigation system is an effective approach because the controller is the brain of the system, managing the timing and operation of the irrigation cycles. It provides crucial information about setting schedules, run times, and sensor integrations which can impact the entire system.

If the controller is malfunctioning or improperly programmed, none of the other components in the system will function as intended. For instance, if the controller is not sending the correct signals to the valves, there will be failure in water delivery regardless of the condition of the water source, pump, or valves. Therefore, verifying the controller’s programming and functioning first allows for more efficient troubleshooting by confirming that the system is set up to operate correctly before moving on to check the individual hardware components.

Moving to other components like the pump or water source without confirming the controller’s operation may lead to unnecessary checks and could complicate the troubleshooting process, especially if the issue lies within the controller itself.