INSTALLATION
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SOLAR COLLECTORS
34
Maximum Height To Collectors
The maximum height of a solar direct 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 solar 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 solar circuit may not be purged of air during the commissioning of the
system.
Direct Open Circuit Solar
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Pipe Work Installation Requirements
Pressure Testing
The solar water heater, including the collector circuit and solar collectors, 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.
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.
Direct Open Collector Circuit
Warning:
The pressure applied to the solar circuit and solar collectors during a pressure test of a direct
open circuit system
MUST NOT
exceed 1000 kPa where HBT200 solar collectors are installed, otherwise
damage may result to the solar collectors.
Direct Open 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 and checking for leaks during the
commissioning procedure can be substituted for the pressure testing of the collector circuit.
