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INSTALLER
INSTALLER
9
INSTALLATIoN of SYSTEM coMPoNENTS
9.1
Installation
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Protective film
A protective film is applied to the glass of the solar collector to
protect the absorber against solar irradiation and prevent the
solar collector from becoming too hot if it is not going to be put
into service immediately.
Fill the system, but do not remove
the film until you are ready to put the system into service.
Take care when removing the film as it may be electrostatical-
ly charged. Do not leave the protective film in place for longer
than 12 months. Once removed, the protective film cannot be
re-used. Dispose of the protective film in compliance with leg-
islation governing the disposal of Pvc.
Assembly
The system must be installed by specialist personnel. Use only
the assembly material supplied with the solar collector. The sup-
porting framework and all masonry or brickwork fixing points
must be checked by a person expert in static loading, and must
be suitable for the nature of the installation site.
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Solar collectors must be installed with the correct mounting
kit (which includes all necessary rails and brackets) as listed
in the catalogue.
Static load
The solar collector must only be installed on roofs or frames
that are strong enough to support its weight. The strength of
the roof or frame must be verified on site by a person expert in
static loading before the solar collector is installed. During this
process, it is important to verify the suitability of the support-
ing frame to hold the screw fasteners that fix the solar collector
in place. An expert in static loading must verify that the entire
frame complies with relevant standards, especially in areas lia-
ble to snow and areas exposed to high winds. conditions (gusts
of wind, formation of wind vortices, etc.) at the point where the
solar collector is to be installed must be carefully considered
since these can increase the loads on the supporting structure.
Lightning protection
The metal piping of the solar heating circuit must be connect-
ed to the main potential compensation bar by a (yellow-green)
copper wire (h07 v-U or R) of at least 16 mm
2
. If a lightning con-
ductor system is already installed, the solar collectors may be
connected to the existing system. Alternatively, the solar collec-
tor piping may be connected to ground via a ground wire sunk
into the earth. ground wires must be sunk outside the house.
The ground wire must be connected to the potential compensa-
tion bar through a wire of the same diameter.
Water connections
The solar collectors must be connected in series using the fittings
and seal rings provided. If flexible hoses are not used to connect
up the ends of solar collector lines, we recommend that you fit
devices in the connecting pipes to permit thermal expansion
(U-type expansion joints, sections of flexible hose or dedicated
expansion joints). Provided adequate expansion joints are used,
up to 6 solar collectors may be connected in series. Make sure
that the seal rings are correctly positioned in their seats. When
tightening a fitting with a pipe wrench or spanner, always hold
the opposite fitting steady with a second tool to avoid damaging
the absorber.
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All pipes in the water circuit must be insulated in conform-
ity to relevant standards. Lagging and insulation must be
protected against damage by the weather and birds and
animals.
Angle of collectors / General
Solar collectors are designed to be installed at angles of be-
tween 15° (minimum) and 75° (maximum). Make sure that the
bleed and vent valves of the collectors remain open while the
collectors are being installed. Take care to protect all fittings,
connections, bleed and vent valves against dirt and dust etc.
In installations which serve primarily to produce domestic hot
water in the summer, install the collectors facing from east to
west at an angle of between 20 and 60°. The ideal orientation
is southwards, at an angle equal to the latitude of the location
minus 10°. If the system sustains the greatest thermal load in
the winter (as in systems that combine domestic hot water pro-
duction with central heating), install the collectors facing south
(or south-east or south-west) at an angle greater than 35°. The
ideal orientation is southwards, at an angle equal to the lati-
tude of the location plus 10°.
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The collectors must be installed at a safe distance from
live electrical power lines and electrical systems in accord-
ance with the laws and regulations in force in the coun-
try of installation. In the absence of specific standards, the
minimum distance that must be maintained between the
installation and the nearest point to which power lines ap-
proach when blown by the wind and sagging in warm cli-
matic conditions is: 3 m for rated voltages of 1 kv; 3.5 m for
rated voltages between 1 and 30 kv; 5 m for rated voltages
between 30 and 132 kv; 7 m for rated voltages >132 kv and
for unknown voltages. All non-electrical installation work
that has to be performed near live and unprotected elec-
trical power lines when there is any possibility of contact
with them must be carried out in conformity to the laws
and regulations in force in the country of installation.
WARNING! Contact with open, live electrical wires may lead
to electrocution and may even be fatal.
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Always wear safety goggles when drilling. Always wear safe-
ty shoes, cut-proof protective gloves and a safety helmet
when performing installation work.
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Before beginning installation work on roofs, install the nec-
essary fall prevention and fall arrest devices and ensure that
all applicable safety standards are applied. Use only tools
and materials that conform to the safety standards that are
applicable in the place of work.
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only wear overalls that have a safety harness (with a suita-
ble safety or fall-arrest belt, ropes or slings, fall dampers or
dissipaters). In the absence of adequate fall prevention and
security devices, failure to use a proper safety harness may
lead to falls from great heights with serious or even fatal
consequences.
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The use of ladders leaned against walls can lead to serious
falls if the ladder slips, slides of falls. When using ladders,
always ensure that they are stable, and that suitable ladder
stops are present. If possible secure the ladder with hooks.
Make sure that there are no live electrical wires near the
ladder.
