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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.au

AN 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