INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
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Maximum Height to Collectors
The maximum height of an open circuit solar Loline installation, from the solar controller (circulator) to the top
of the solar collectors, is determined by the maximum recommended total pipe length for the system and the
water supply pressure.
The maximum recommended total pipe length of the collector circuit should not be exceeded and a minimum
water supply pressure of 200 kPa should be available at the inlet to the system, otherwise the system
performance may be reduced or the collector circuit may not be purged of air during the commissioning of the
system.
Open Circuit System – Pipe Work Installation Requirements
Pressure Testing
The solar water heater, including the collector circuit, is to be isolated during the testing and commissioning of
the heated water reticulation system in a building, in accordance with Clause 11.1 and 11.3 (a) of
AS/NZS 3500.4:2003. The collector circuit includes the solar hot and cold pipe work and solar collectors.
It may be necessary to pressure test the collector circuit to comply with codes and regulatory authority
requirements or on other occasions where the solar collectors and solar cold and solar hot pipe work are
installed prior to the solar storage tank, such as on a building site.
Collector Circuit
Warning:
The pressure applied to the collector circuit during a pressure test of an open circuit system
MUST NOT
exceed 1000 kPa where NPT200, HBT200 / LCS or TBT200 / CSA2007 solar collectors are
installed, otherwise damage may result.
Open Circuit System
If the solar collectors, solar pipe work and solar storage tank are installed and commissioned together, then
the flooding of the collector circuit with water under mains pressure for an open circuit system and checking
the pipe work for leaks during the commissioning procedure can be substituted for the pressure testing of the
collector circuit.