HELIOCOL RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION MANUAL
26
CONTROLLING THERMAL DEFORMATION
PIPING
Thermal deformation (expansion & contraction) occurs in all materials subject to change
in temperature. Piping will expand & contract in all directions, but the greatest change will
occur with the length of the pipe. Very long pipe runs subject to a large change in temperatures
during the year will require controls for thermal deformation designed in.
Pipe loops or expansion fittings are both allowable means for absorbing thermal deformation.
Piping runs that will experience more than 1” of length change should have some means of
controlling thermal deformation. Uncontrolled expansion and contraction can lead to pipe
ruptures and damage to other system components.
COLLECTORS
Heliocol collectors are designed to allow for normal, vertical expansion & contraction (along
the riser tubes) using the mounting hardware design for the collector. The Top Gator Clamps
are designed to be a fixed position for the collector while Bottom Gator Clamps are designed
to be a secure connection while allowing for the collector to change length with the ambient
temperature.
During installation take note of the ambient temperature to determine
how to position the Bottom Gator Clamp with respect to the lower
manifold of the collector. In very warm conditions the bottom manifold
should be set at the farthest position possible (most extended) while
cold conditions require the opposite (most contracted). (Fig. 9)
For horizontal expansion & contraction it is preferable to lock the
center of each bank in place so that the expansion and contraction
takes place evenly to the left and right of this center point.
1.
The center collector of a bank may be locked in place by
locating the Top Gator Clamp on that collector adjacent to the left
and right of one of the manifold ribs (Fig. 10). These Top Gator
Clamps should be attached using (2) #14 wood screws as opposed
to (1) ¼” lag bolt as they will be attached to the roof decking only.
2.
Repeat this procedure at the bottom manifold with Bottom Gator Clamp.
Do not use this procedure more than once on any bank of collectors.
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
