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50 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON
AU T UMN 20 1 7
SCREWINGUPSOLARINSTALLATIONS
A
ttaching solar panels to metal
roofs can be a difficult task. Not
only because you are precariously
perched on a slopped surface well
above ground doing manual labour, but
if not done correctly, leaks, rust and
maintenance problems can result.
But could the solution to all your
problems come in the form of a screw?
The EJOT EJOFAST screw has
quickly become the best seller in its
manufacturer’s range as installers are
finding it makes PV installations on thin
metal profiles faster, stronger and cleaner
while reducing maintenance issues.
As you might guess, there are some key
differences to a regular screw.
A standard self-tapping screw cuts
through the material it is securing into
- whether it be metal or wood. EJOT
screws, however, pierce the metal and
pushes it aside rather than cutting
through it. This gives the screwmore
material to engage with. It is then sealed
by a stainless steel-backed EPDM sealing
washer atop the screw. The manufacturer
says the result is a hold around 30%
stronger than a regular stitcher.
And because it isn’t cutting away at
the material it also means the roof isn’t
left with cracks or fine metal shavings.
This may not seem like a big deal but
over time fine shavings can cause
permanent rust damage.
The other major difference is a
standard screw can skid before it
engages the material. The tip of EJOT
EJOFAST screw has a feature called
‘point geometry’, which promotes instant
thread pickup, which means it pierces the
metal immediately.
So there; faster, stronger and cleaner
solar panel installations just from a screw.
For installers who regularly do PV
installations it may be worth getting
a screw designed for exactly that. The
main application for the product is fixing
brackets, clips or pre-punched clamps to
metal sheets or side-lap stitching roofing
and cladding sheets on metal profiles
0.4mm-1.25mm thick.
But for installers who choose to use the
screw there is some good and bad news.
The bad news is the screw needs a
specific screwdriver to be installed,
the EJOT power screwdriver. The good
news is this screwdriver can be set to
automatically disengage the clutch
when the depth sensing nose piece
makes contact with the surface of the
material being fixed.
The EJOT range of screws and
screwdrivers is distributed in Australia by
MAK Fastener, which specialises in roof-
top installations.
MAK Fastener general manager
David Mc Donald says EJOT screws
work well in conjunction with the range
of S-5! products.
In fact, there are products in the 5-5!
range that can even enable installations
without piercing the metal roof, David
says. This would be particularly attractive
for customers who want to protect the
warranty of their roof.
The S-5! clamps attach to the seam of
a metal roof by inserting and tightening
screws onto the seam, but only to a point
where it will dimple the material.
The clamps can attach to almost any
standing seam, exposed-fastened and
corrugated metal roof profile.
While there is extensive coverage of
technology developments in PV systems,
there is a bit of activity in the area of
installation of such systems as well.
With swarf-free, geometry tip features
it makes you wonder, whatever happened
to the humble screw?
> MAK Fastener
www.makfasteners.com.auAN ENGLISH MANUFACTURER
HAS RELEASED A SCREW
DESIGNED TO MAKE SOLAR PANEL
INSTALLATIONS 30% FASTER AND
30% STRONGER. BUT HOW IS THIS
ACHIEVED WITH JUST A SCREW?
JOEYOUNG
REPORTS.
FASTENERS