Smart Lighting Controller: Installation and Wiring

This guide walks you through the physical installation and wiring of the Rachio Smart Lighting Controller (SLC). Whether you're retrofitting an existing system or installing landscape lighting for the first time, these steps will help ensure a safe and successful setup.

Note

Dimming functionality requires dimmable bulbs. For more information on dimming, visit our article here: Dimming Calibration

Contents

1. Mounting the Rachio SLC
2. Retrofitting an Existing System
3. Installing a New Lighting System
4. Wiring Your Lighting Zones to SLC
5. Safety Features & Electrical Limits
6. Troubleshooting Common Lighting Issues
7. Safety Cautions and Warnings

Mounting the Rachio SLC

The SLC is rated IP65 for weather resistance and is designed for direct outdoor installation without an enclosure. Proper placement and secure mounting are key to performance, longevity, and safety.

Note

Before mounting the SLC in its final location, we recommend onboarding the device in the Rachio app and checking the signal strength in the controller’s “Technical Info” section. The signal strength is listed as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). This will help ensure you don't experience any intermittent connectivity issues that could arise when installing the controller near the outer limits of your WiFi router's broadcasting range. Visit our Connectivity and Troubleshooting guide for more information on determining signal strength and signal strength requirements.

Recommended Placement

• Mount the controller on a vertical exterior wall, away from metal structures or electrical boxes.
• Position the controller at least 2 feet (24 inches) above ground level.
• In flood-prone areas, mount the controller even higher — SLC is never to be submerged.
• Ensure a standard 120V outlet is available within 3 feet (the length of the power cord). Do NOT use an extension cord.
• Avoid placement where irrigation spray or heavy splashback could reach the device.

WARNING

Risk of Electric Shock. Install power unit 5 feet (1.5 m) or more from a pool, spa, or fountain. Where the power unit is installed (a) indoors within 10 feet (3.0 m) of a pool, spa, or fountain or (b) outdoors, connect power unit to a receptacle protected by a GFCI.

WARNING

A unit installed outdoors shall be connected to a GFCI protected hooded flush type cover plate receptacle marked “Wet Location” while in use.

Tip:

While the SLC is protected against dust and water jets (IP65), it is not waterproof and must not be submerged. Keeping it elevated and shielded from direct spray will extend its lifespan.

Mounting Instructions

1. Remove the mounting plate and hardware from the SLC packaging.
2. Drive the first (top) screw into the mounting surface about 1/2 inch.
3. Hang the mounting plate from the screw using the hole at the top of the plate.
4. Insert the other screw through the bottom hole of the plate and drive screw partially into the mounting surface.
5. Check the built-in bubble level on the plate. Rotate the plate around the top screw until the bubble is centered between the two black lines.
6. Once level, fully tighten both screws to secure the plate.
7. Align the mounting slot on the back of the SLC with the mounting plate and slide it down until it sits flush against the mounting surface.

Retrofitting an Existing System

If you already have a low-voltage outdoor lighting setup, follow these steps to safely transition to the Rachio Smart Lighting Controller:

1. Test your existing system to ensure all fixtures and connections are functioning correctly.
2. Disable power to your old controller.
3. Take a clear photo of the current wiring layout for future reference.
4. For free-flowing wiring configurations, consider labeling each zone’s wires (Zone 1, 2, 3) before disconnecting them — this helps ensure correct reconnection later.
5. Disconnect and remove the old controller.
6. Mount the SLC using the included mounting plate (see Mounting Instructions).
7. Connect zone wires to the SLC terminal blocks (see Wiring the Zones).

Note

You can reuse your existing landscape fixtures and wiring as long as they meet the SLC's voltage and wire gauge requirement.

Installing a New Lighting System

Installing your own low voltage lighting system can be a rewarding but challenging experience. If you're unsure where to start, or do not have prior experience with low voltage lighting systems, we recommend contacting a licensed outdoor lighting professional.

1. Choose a location where you would like to install the SLC.
2. Connect SLC to the Rachio App and verify adequate signal strength before continuing.
3. Design your lighting layout:
   • Determine zones and what each will control (e.g., path lights, uplights).
   • Choose fixtures and bulbs rated for 12V–15V.
   • Verify all bulbs are dimmable if using dimming features.
4. Calculate total wattage to stay below SLC output limits (see Safety Features). Target 140W–160W total.
5. Lay out wiring runs from each zone to the SLC's location. Leave slack. Do not connect wires yet.
6. Mount the SLC and connect wires once mounting is complete (see Wiring Your Lighting Zones to SLC).

Note

A licensed lighting installer can help with layout, voltage drop, and zone balancing.

Ordering Additional Lengths of Wire

Rachio recommends low-voltage landscape cabling marked for direct burial. The wire gauge required depends on the total fixtures, their wattage, and the cable length. Wires get larger as the AWG specification goes down (12AWG wire is larger and can handle more power than a 16AWG wire). If future installations are planned, larger diameter wires should be chosen to support expansion. Please refer to the following chart for choosing the wire gauge.

* For long runs with high power requirements, consider breaking lighting up into multiple zones to minimize voltage drop and improve performance.

Wiring Your Lighting Zones to SLC

1. Strip approximately ½ inch of insulation from each wire end.
2. Open the SLC's wiring bay door and lift the orange connector levers.
3. Insert the positive (+) wire into the 15V terminal (left), and the negative (–) wire into the Common terminal (right).
4. Firmly clamp the wires using the connector levers.
5. Gently tug each wire to ensure it’s secure.
6. Repeat for all zones you plan to use.

Calculating Lighting Capacity

• To make sure the maximum number of fixtures can be safely connected to this controller, add up the individual wattage of all the fixtures.

• The total wattage of your fixtures must not exceed output capacity of 200W.

Safety Features & Electrical Limits

• Overcurrent Protection: Electrical load exceeded → controller shuts down and shows solid red LED.
• Overtemperature Shutoff: Internal temp too high → blinking red LED and power-off.
• Power Recovery: After outages, the SLC resumes its previous on/off state and automation schedule.
• Total Wattage Cap: 200W max shared across all zones.
  • Example: One zone at 120W, two others at 40W = 200W total.
  • Recommended usage: 140W–160W total to maximize longevity.

Troubleshooting Common Lighting Issues

Flickering Lights?

• Check for loose or poorly seated wires.
• Usually caused by trying to dim non-dimmable bulbs.
• Ensure bulbs are dimmable (if dimming is enabled).
• Disable dimming in app, or switch to dimmable 12V–15V bulbs.
• Replace low-quality or mismatched bulbs.

Lights Not Turning On?

• Confirm wires are clamped properly.
• Re-strip wire ends if too little copper is exposed.
• Lift connector levers and gently move wires side to side with the zone turned on.
• Check wire polarity; If applicable, attach positive (+) to left terminal, and negative (-) to right terminal.
  • The positive (+) wire is typically marked with a stripe, printed text, or has smooth insulation.
  • The negative (-) wire is typically unmarked, may have ribbed insulation, or may use a silver colored conductor.
• Use a multimeter (200V DC) to check voltage: healthy output is ~14.5V–15.5V.

Overcurrent Error (Solid Orange LED)?

• All zones turn off
• Triggered by shorts or exceeding 200W
• Reduce load or isolate faulty fixtures.
• Inspect for wiring shorts.

Controller Not Powering On?

• Test the outlet with another device.
• Try a different grounded outlet.
• If power is verified and still no response, contact Rachio Support.

Safety Cautions and Warnings

CAUTION: FOR USE ONLY ON A BRANCH CIRCUIT PROTECTED BY A CLASS A TYPE GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER

FOR USE WITH LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SYSTEMS ONLY

THIS DEVICE IS ACCEPTED AS A COMPONENT OF A LANDSCAPE LIGHTING SYSTEM WHERE THE SUITABILITY OF THE COMBINATION SHALL BE DETERMINED BY CSA OR LOCAL INSPECTION AUTHORITIES HAVING JURISDICTION.

DO NOT CONNECT TWO OR MORE POWER SUPPLIES IN PARALLEL.

DO NOT MOUNT POWER SUPPLY OR LUMINAIRES WITHIN 3 m OF A SWIMMING POOL OR SPA.

RISK OF FIRE, DO NOT PLACE INSULATION UNDER TERMINAL PLATE.  CHECK CONNECTION AFTER INSTALLATION.

The supply circuit for the landscape lighting system shall be protected by a Class A type ground fault circuit interrupter, unless it is provided with the landscape lighting system.

The system shall not be used with an extension cord.