Overview
ISO 21622-2:2023 specifies the tests required to assess the functionality and robustness of remote units used in irrigation remote monitoring and control systems. Part of the ISO 21622 series, this standard defines the test procedures and acceptance focus areas for microprocessor-based remote units (RUs) that communicate field status to a central control centre (CC) and operate field elements such as solenoid valves (SVs), flow counters, analogue sensors and other I/O.
Key defined terms used in the standard:
- Remote unit (RU) - device that acquires field data and issues control commands.
- Solenoid valve (SV) - remotely controlled valve that permits or blocks water flow.
- Water passage detector (WPD) and Limit switch detector (LSD) - sensors used to confirm volumetric valve movement and flow.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 21622-2:2023 organizes testing into functionality and robustness areas. Major technical topics include:
- Power tests
- Consumption and power-loss behaviour under nominal and low-voltage conditions.
- Solenoid valve output testing
- Opening/closing control, pulse-width behaviour, simulation of valve load (voltage/current), and short/open-circuit conditions.
- Counter and pulse input tests
- Sensor supply, flow calculation logic, high/low flow alarm behaviour, hardware/software pulse filtering, maximum/minimum pulse rates and timing, random and concurrent pulse counting.
- Analogue input testing
- General input response, measurement accuracy and alarm/event generation based on analogue readings.
- Other inputs/outputs and operating logic
- External/internal signal handling, safety interlocks (e.g., low-supply or low-pressure lockout), excess-flow shutdown.
- Robustness and environmental tests
- Environmental conditioning, solenoid actuation under environmental stress, pulse and analogue input tolerance, polarity reversal, short circuits, antenna open/short (communication) tests and long-term behaviour assessments.
The document defines test procedures, related timing symbols (TON, TOFF, etc.), and acceptance-focused evaluation to judge overall operability.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 21622-2:2023 is intended for:
- Manufacturers of irrigation remote units and control hardware to validate product functional integrity.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies performing conformity and reliability testing.
- System integrators and suppliers ensuring field devices meet performance and robustness expectations.
- Irrigation managers and procurement teams who require objective test results when selecting remote monitoring and control equipment.
Benefits include improved interoperability, reliable valve and sensor behaviour, reduced field failures from wiring errors, and clearer specification for procurement and certification.
Related standards
- Part of the ISO 21622 series; other parts define the functional requirements and system-level specifications that ISO 21622-2:2023’s tests are designed to validate.
- For procedural context, the ISO/IEC Directives and national standards bodies provide implementation guidance and additional normative references.
