IProx Irrigation

Using a 3G Tablet (recommended), mobile or PC, IProx Irrigation allows you to:

• Manually start/stop pumps.
• Establish the start/stop of the pumps in one (or various) irrigation programmes.
• Manually open/close system valves (sectors).
• Establish the opening/closing of valves in one (or various) irrigation programmes.
• Manually operate pivots.
• Programme the operation of the pivots according to the calendar.
• Programme the operation of the pivots according to their angle (sectors).
• Receive alerts (SMS/email) for events (start-up, stop, pressure, error...).
• Graphically represent pressure values, ON/OFF status, angle, etc. in the previous hours, days, weeks or months.
• Optimise the energy cost of the pumping station to avoid using even one kWh more than necessary.
• If there are cameras on the land, you can use the same screen used remotely manage the irrigation to see real time images (and their recordings).

Pumping stations of any power, including both those running on the electricity grid and those running on diesel generators or solar photovoltaic installations.

Water distribution networks in which the valves need to be automated or remotely opened and closed.

Pivot, drip and/or full coverage irrigation installations.

Irrigation communities that, apart from controlling and measuring the supply to each plot, want to give their members the control to irrigate within each plot (regardless of the water application system).

Hardware (to be installed in the pumping station or plot)

• Range of IProx controllers for the management of the pumping stations and valves and the acquisition of PLC operating data, inverters, other programmers, etc. (typically using Modbus).
• PRX-VALVE: Wireless controller run by solar power for 4 solenoid valves. PRX-VALVE has a range of 1000 metres to the aerial or to other closer PRX-VALVEs.
• PRX-SOIL: A device that measures soil moisture up to 4 depths. The humidity transmission is made by radio to the IProx Irrigation controller located in the pumping station or by GPRS/3G directly to the IProx Irrigation web application.
• Using a specific communications plug-in IProx Irrigation is compatible with pumping programmers and controllers and valves from other manufacturers. Ask us.
• Network analysers in order to measure electricity consumption.
• Water level sensors for pools, wells and deposits.
• Meteorological sensors.
• Radio masts with PRX-VALVE and PRX-SOIL devices.
• Water pressure sensors.
• Video cameras that allow real time viewing (and recordings) of cultivation areas or pumping stations.

This farm irrigation systems require:

• Device with an internet connection and updated web browser.
• IProx controller in the pumping station or plot.

IProx Irrigation can be adapted to the individual requirements of specific cases.

IProx Irrigation provides personalised views, the development of a personalised interface, integration with ERP software, personalised irrigation reports according to their current layout, etc. Ask us for a personalised solution and related products.

Q: As of what area of land does it make sense to irrigate with IProx Irrigation?
Since the cost is proportional to the number of elements that make up the irrigation installation (pumps, sector valves, pivots, etc.) and we have controllers that start at as little as a few hundred euros, any size of land can benefit from optimising irrigation using IProx Irrigation technology.

Q: Does the pumping station need an inverter?
We do not need an inverter in order to control the pumping station. However, if you have one, the pumping station’s controller can continuously adjust the pressure setpoint in order to optimise the energy consumption to the absolute minimum. IProx Irrigation saves energy in those cases where the plots have height differences of >10m approx.

Q: Can irrigation programmes be created that include sequences for sectors of drip or full coverage irrigation and pivots taking into account the available flow?
Of course, when one sector or pivot ends, the next one will start and so on.

Q: Is it possible to establish specific pressure for each sector (for example, with different types of irrigation in each)?
Yes. Before what we call the “irrigation programme step”, it is possible to set the desired pressure for the complete length of the irrigation in that sector or sectors. This allows the irrigation to be combined with various types of technology adapting the pressure to each one without wasting even one kWh of energy.

Q: Can the irrigation scheduling be stopped and restarted at the same point of operation at a later stage?
Yes. The pause button stops the irrigation (stopping watering and the pumps related to the programme in operation) in order to perform treatments, repairs, crop inspections, without getting wet, etc.

Q: Can the pump, valves and pivots be manually controlled, even if a programmed irrigation is underway?
Yes, although IProx Irrigation is ideal for remote management, manual orders have priority over the irrigation management programme at all times

Q: How long after pushing the button on the mobile/tablet screen does it take the related operation to begin?
It takes up to 2-3 seconds for run time and is usually immediate. The delay is imperceptible.

Q: Can irrigation be totally automatic using field conditions data and the level of soil moisture?
In theory, it should be possible and we are working to make this theory a reality. Currently, the evapotranspiration and soil moisture data are used to generate a daily/weekly recommendation of water application.

Q: Can the irrigation programmes include liquid fertiliser by means of fertigation pumps?
Yes, the control of the fertiliser pumps and injection equipment is part of the irrigation programme, meaning that fertigation cycles can be programmed every few weeks and the volume of fertiliser injected can be controlled.

Q: If the pump receives its electric supply from a generator, can the start-up of the generator be included in the irrigation programme?
Yes, the IProx controller –when powered by the generator’s starter battery (or, even better, by a solar kit) – will start the generator as the first step of the irrigation programme in those installations that are not connected to the electricity network.

Q: If the pumping station is powered by photovoltaic solar energy, can I monitor the operation of the solar installation and control which pumps have priority at all times?
Yes, you can. The IProx controller can collect information -through Modbus or sensors – on the solar installation’s operating parameters. This data is recorded and can be viewed in real time or in charts, to generate alarms, etc.

Q: Is it possible to define general valves that must be open for the water to reach certain sectors and to make them open automatically, in a coordinated manner, in each sector?
Yes. IProx Irrigation incorporates the general control valve concept, meaning that the valve does not activate irrigation in any specific sector, but allows water supply to other valves that, at the same time do control irrigation of sectors, pivots, etc.

Q: Is it possible to know the energy cost of pumping each m³?
One of the accessories that can be installed in the pump controller is an electric consumption meter (grouped together or for each separate pump). This data, together with the information related to the pump flow allows us to calculate the cost per m³, per ha, per plot, etc.

Q: Can I record water consumption?
Water meter pulses are one of the common signals of pump controllers. For this, the meter must be equipped with a pulse emitter that opens and closes a contact for every x m³. With this data you can view and graphically represent the kWh/m³ energy cost, the application of water in various crops and growing seasons, etc.

Q: Can I just use IProx Irrigation as a remote control and not use the irrigation programmes?
Absolutely.

Q: Is it possible to regulate the pressure of diesel motor pumps?
Yes. When setting up the pressure necessary for each sector, if the controller in the pump is operating a diesel motor pump, it will act on the pump’s RPM by means of electromechanical actuator (sold separately).

Q: Is it possible to pause irrigation when the level of the accumulation reservoir is insufficient and then to automatically restart at the same point when the water levels has been restored?
Yes, as long as the pumping station’s IProx controller has a level sensor, or two simple buoys.

Q: Is the Iprox Irrigation system compatible with different irrigation methods?
Yes, Iprox Irrigation is compatible with all irrigation systems (drip, pivot or cover irrigation).

Q: Why is Iprox a scada system for irrigation?
Scada systems allow monitoring, control and data acquisition generally in industrial environments, facilitating real-time feedback. Iprox does the same, adapted to the agricultural environment and facilitating remote management and automation of agricultural irrigation for precision agricultural irrigation.