Mounting Rails and Thermal Expansion

dancour
dancour Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭
in PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation #1
My aluminium mounting rails are going to be 40 feet long.

Should I worry about thermal expansion?

If yes, what would be the best/cheapest way to allow for it?

Thanks

PS My rails stretch across a tilt-up structure, so their integrity is important. I don't want the rails to be able to be pulled apart.
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  • drees
    drees Solar Expert Posts: 482 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Mounting Rails and Thermal Expansion

    Use ProSolar RoofTrac rails with their rail splices which allow for thermal expansion/contraction when properly installed.
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  • dancour
    dancour Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭
    #3
    Re: Mounting Rails and Thermal Expansion

    Thanks for the tip: I found the info at:
    http://prosolar.com/PDFS/INSTALLpdf/ROOFTRAC_install.pdf

    but this type of expansion joint might pull apart in my application. I was wondering about a long slotted hole for the bolt - something like I use in woodworking.
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  • drees
    drees Solar Expert Posts: 482 ✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Mounting Rails and Thermal Expansion

    Exactly how much movement do you expect in the rails in your application that they might separate?
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