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CONNECTIONS - PLUMBING
29
WARNING: Plumber – Be Aware:
· The solar cold and hot pipes between the solar storage tank and the
solar collectors MUST BE
of copper and fully insulated with Armaflex
insulation or similar (minimum thickness 10 mm).
· The insulation must be weatherproof if exposed and fitted up to the
connections on both the solar collectors and the storage tank, as
very high temperature water can flow from the solar collectors to the
solar storage tank under certain conditions. The insulation will also offer
corrosion protection to a metal roof against water runoff over the copper
pipe.
· Plastic pipe MUST NOT be used, as it will not withstand the temperature
of the water generated by the solar collectors under stagnation
conditions. The solar collectors can generate extremely high water
temperatures, up to 150°C, and high water pressure of 1000 kPa. Plastic
pipe cannot withstand these temperatures and pressures, and MUST
NOT be used. Failure of plastic pipe can lead to the release of high
temperature water and cause severe water damage and flooding.
· There must be a continuous fall in the pipe work between the solar
collectors and storage tank. The highest point of the solar cold pipe and
solar hot pipe must be where they connect to the solar collectors, to
avoid the possibility of air locks occurring in the system.
PIPE LENGTHS
The maximum recommended combined length of the solar cold and solar hot pipes
with bends is:
Maximum recommended pipe length and number of 90° bends*
1 or 2 Collectors 3 Collectors 4 Collectors
Pipe
Size
Pipe
Length
90°
Bends
Pipe
Length
90°
Bends
Pipe
Length
90°
Bends
DN15 40 metres 20 30 metres 20 NA NA
DN18 60 metres 20 40 metres 20 32 metres 20
* For each additional 90° bend, reduce the maximum total pipe length by
0.5 metres.
* For each additional metre of pipe length, reduce the number of 90° bends by two.