[RE-wrenches] S5 Clamps

[Bill Brooks]

Michael and Joel,

There are much bigger structural issues with using rails with S-5! clamps
than to connect them directly to module frame. That is because a rail allows
you to make fewer connections to the seams, and that does not necessarily
jive with the strength of the roof connections that the S-5! is relying
upon. After discussing these issues with the owner of S-5!, I believe that
rails are a waste of money and that connections should be on every seam in
high wind locations (above 100 mph) and every other seam for lower wind
locations.

Bill.



-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Michael
Kelly
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 9:45 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] S5 Clamps

Joel,

I have an upcoming project where we are contemplating this very
install: S5 clamps without rails.  I would also like to hear the
disadvantages, and any experience others have had installing this type
of clamp onto a standing seam.

Thanks,
Mike

Michael Kelly
Project Engineer
Project Manager

SolarFlair Energy, Inc.
1 Knoll Rd.
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Direct Mobile: 617-899-9840
Direct Fax: 781-272-0748
Main Phone: 508-293-4293
Main Fax: 508-293-4003
mike at solarflair.com


On Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 12:29 PM, Joel Davidson
<joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Wrenches,
> I used S5 clamps with UniRac rails and L-feet. I see that S5 clamps can
also be used directly for fastening solar modules to standing-seam roofs.
The obvious advantage is lower cost, but are there any disadvantages? If you
used S5 clamps without rails, did you have to get a licensed engineer's
wind-loading structural analysis? Thank you very much for your advice.
> Joel Davidson
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