Installation Guide

SM
SOLAR
MOUNT
INSTALLATION GUIDE
PAGE
SPLICE INSTALLATION (IF REQUIRED PER SYSTEM DESIGN)
If your installation uses SOLARMOUNT splice bars, attach the rails together before
mounting to the L-feet / footings. Use splice bars only with ush installations
or those that use low-prole tilt legs. A rail can be supported by more than one
footing on both sides of the splice. There should be a gap between rails, up to
3/16" at the splice connections. To install, slide T-feature on splice into the T-slot
on each rail, centering the splice between the two rails. Tighten each bolt until
the bolt-head is ush against the splice and torqued to 10 ft-lbs. Installation is
complete when the bonding hardware penetrates the opposite side of the rail
and the assembly torque is achieved. T-bolts should not be placed less than a
distance of 1" from the end of the rail regardless of a splice.
TORQUE VALUE (See Note on PG. A)
Hex head socket size 1/2" - Do not exceed 10 ft-lbs. Do not use Anti-Seize.
Max length of spliced rail is 40 ft. An expansion joint is required > 40 ft.
0 to 3/16” gap between rails







SPLICE & THERMAL BREAK

EXPANSION JOINT USED AS THERMAL BREAK
Expansion joints prevent buckling of rails due to thermal expansion. Determine
location of expansion joints prior to installation of L-feet and rails. To create a
thermal expansion joint, set gap between rails that is sufcient for proper instal-
lation of end clamps and tooling to achieve required torque. A thermal break is
required every 40 feet of continuously connected rail. For additional concerns on
thermal breaks in your specic project, please consult a licensed structural en-
gineer. Runs of rail less than 40 feet in length, with more than two pairs spliced
together, are an acceptable installation for the SOLARMOUNT systems.
Rails in expansion joint congurations are considered cantilevered and must
follow the cantilever rule, on both sides of the expansion joint, which states
that the maximum amount of rail that can be cantilevered is 1/3 the
respective adjacent span. An expansion joint must not be spanned by a PV
module. Installing a module over an expansion joint would defeat the goal of
a thermal break and could result in damage to the array.
Bonding connection for splice used as a thermal break. Option shown uses two
Ilsco lugs (Model No. GBL-4DBT P/N GBL-4DBT - see product data sheet for more
details) and solid copper wire. Optional grounding may be
achieved through Enphase MI. See PG. I.
E


 