SAFETY, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
AVANCIS POWERMAX
®
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
15
©2015 | AVANCIS GmbH | Solarstrasse 3 | 04860 Torgau | Germany | service@avancis.de | www.avancis.de | May 2015
Grounding of PowerMax
®
Back Rails
Even when applicable regulations, code
requirements and standards do not re-
quire safety-related grounding, AVANCIS
strongly recommends grounding of
Power Max
®
module back rails in order to
ensure voltage between back rails and
ground is zero volts under all circum -
stances. This will increase the safety of
the PV system in case of malfunctions and
protect the system from induced over-
voltage. For safety-related grounding of
the Power Max
®
module back rails, the
back rails are provided with grounding
holes (marked with grounding signs).
These holes should be used for grounding
purposes only and in accordance with the
local regulations, code requirements and
standards. If permitted, AVANCIS recom-
mends for grounding to use the ground-
ing holes (diameter 0.42 cm/0.17 inches)
in combination with a M4 screw, nut and
two lock washers (see the example).
Please note: only materials should be
used which do not cause corrosion. Make
sure that the grounding screws do not
touch any cable. Other means and meth-
ods for grounding are permissable as long
as they meet the applicable regulations,
code requirements and standards.
Mounting
• PowerMax
®
modules should be fastened
using four steel clamps with a minimum
coating as described in the AVANCIS
clamp document, applied to the mount-
ing lip at the rear side of the back rails.
One clamp holds two PowerMax
®
mod-
ules except for the PowerMax
®
module
at the beginning and end of a module
row. Other approved clamps can be
used for PowerMax
®
modules at the be-
ginning or end of a module row. Other
parts such as steel screws, nuts etc.
should be provided by the customer
and these should all have a minimum
coating as described in the AVANCIS
clamp document.
• In order to install a second module, make
sure that the clamps are placed over the
mounting lip of the first module and
slide the second module towards the
first module. The mounting lip of the
second module will automatically lift
the clamp and the clamp will go down
after the mounting lip of this module is
also under the clamp. Finally, fasten the
clamp once the second module has
been positioned correctly.
• The glass edges of the two modules
must not touch during installation as
this can result in the glass breaking.
• The clamps must be approved in writing
by AVANCIS prior to installation. See the
list of approved mounting hardware at
www.avan cis.de. A printout of this list
can be requested from AVANCIS.
Screw
Nut
Lock washer
Back rail
Lock washer
Grounding cable
Example of module grounding
