Number of Collectors
2
3
DN 15 pipes
40m
30m
Table 14
It is the electrician’s responsibility to ensure the wiring
to the electric boosted solar hot water heating elements
is capable of withstanding the electrical load. Please
refer to “Electric Boosted Vitreous Enamel Storage Tank”
for power ratings of the electric heating elements.
Water Supply
Approved pressure limiting valves rated at 500kPa are
required if the mains water supply pressure exceeds
500kPa.
Water chemistry and impurity limits are specified
under “Important Information” in these instructions.
Metropolitan water supplies generally meet these
requirements. Please contact the relevant water supply
authority or have the water tested if uncertain about the
water supply quality.
If necessary, a suitable filter or water softener should be
fitted in the mains water supply to achieve the required
water quality. For locations with high sediment levels in
the water supply, the hot water storage tank should be
flushed at regular intervals. Stratco recommend that a
drain cock is fitted at the cold water inlet to the hot water
storage tank.
Water Pipes, Valves & Fittings
All hot water pipes must be insulated with thermal
lagging such as Polyethylene foam to reduce heat loss
and maximise performance of the solar hot water heating
system. All pipe sizes should conform to AS/NZS 3500
except collector flow and return pipes.
Solar collector flow and return pipes should be 15mm
copper tube to withstand the high pressures and
temperatures that occur. Maximum recommended total
lengths for the cold water flow and hot water return
pipes are shown in Table 14.
INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC BOOSTED STORAGE TANK
Regulations & OH&S
Before starting installation of the hot water storage tank
with electric booster, the installer should ensure they
have read the “Important Information” section of these
instructions and are familiar with the relevant standards,
OH&S regulations and safety precautions listed.
Hot Water Storage Tank Location
The hot water storage tank should be located as close as
possible to the most frequently used hot water outlets
to minimise water wastage and heat loss. Also consider
that the solar collectors should be mounted as close as
possible to the hot water storage tank to minimise pipe
runs and heat loss.
The hot water storage tank has an ingress protection
rating of IPX4 and is suitable for internal or external
installation. For external installation, the hot water
storage tank should be mounted on a concrete base at
least 50 mm thick in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4
clause 4.5.3, or on well seasoned, evenly spread
hardwood slats at least 25 mm thick.
For internal installations, or where water leakage may
cause property damage, the hot water storage tank should
be installed with an approved safe tray in accordance with
AS/NZS 3500.4 clause 4.4. This will prevent property
damage in the event of a leak and will allow draining of
the hot water storage tank for maintenance.
Ensure the hot water storage tank does not stand on wet
surfaces. The electric boosted hot water storage tank
will require a cold water supply as outlined in “Water
Supply” within this section of these instructions and an
independent 240V power supply installed at the switch
board as outlined in “Electricity Supply” within this
section of these instructions.
All system components must be located for accessibility.
The hot water storage tank must be accessible without
ladders or scaffolding. Clearance must be provided for
access to and removal of all serviceable parts including
P&TR valve, circulating pump and electric heating
elements. Warning signs and information on rating
plates must be visible.
For vitreous enamel hot water storage tanks, allow a
clearance of one cylinder height above the hot water
storage tank to allow inspection and replacement of the
sacrificial anode.
Electricity Supply
All electric boosted solar hot water heating elements
must be connected to an independent, fused AC 240V,
50 Hz power supply with an isolating switch installed at
the switch board.
Electrical connection must be carried out by a licensed
electrician in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 Electrical
Installations.
The pressure and temperature relief (P&TR) valve is a
safety device and must be fitted to the hot water storage
tank. The P&TR valve supplied is rated at 10.0kW,
which must exceed the thermal load applied to the hot
water storage tank. For electric boosted solar hot water
heater systems, the thermal load is applied by the solar
collectors and the electric heating elements.
A cold water expansion control valve (ECV) rated at
700kPa must be fitted to the cold water supply of the hot
water storage tank. This will reduce hot water discharge
resulting in wear of the P&TR valve. Approved pressure
limiting valves rated at 500kPa must be fitted if the mains
water supply pressure exceeds 500kPa. A combination
non-return/isolating valve and strainer is fitted to the
cold water supply of the hot water storage tank.
