Hilti UNIRAC POLETOPS 5000 Series User manual

Series 5000 Single Row Pole Top
with SolarMount®Rails
Installation Manual 501.5
Unirac Installation Manual Series
Unirac welcomes input concerning the accuracy and user-friendliness of this publication. Please write to [email protected].
Pub 090616-6ii
June 2009
© 2009 by Unirac, Inc.
All rights reserved.
See www.unirac.com for your nearest Unirac distributor.
Unirac Installation Manual
R
A HILTI GROUP COMPANY
U.S. Des. Patent No. D496,248S. Other patents pending.
Stainless steel hardware can seize up,
a process called galling.To significantly
reduce its likelihood, (1) apply lubricant
to bolts, preferably an anti-seize lubricant, avail-
able at auto parts stores, (2) shade hardware
prior to installation, and (3) avoid spinning on
nuts at high speed. See Installation Supplement
910, Galling and Its Prevention, at www.Unirac.
com.
Parts List (Parts are illustrated in exploded views, pp. 2–4.)
Wrench
Part Qty size
Channel 1
Bracket, left 1
Bracket, right 1
SolarMount standard rail, drilled 2
U-bolt, 3∕8˝ 2
Hex head bolt, 3∕8˝ 8 9∕16˝
Flange nut, 3∕8˝ 4 9∕16˝
Self tapping screw, no.10 zinc 2
Module clip 4*
Module bolt, ¼˝ 4* 7∕16˝
Flat washer, ¼˝ 4*
Flange nut, ¼˝ 4* 7∕16˝
The installer is solely responsible for:
• complyingwithallapplicablebuildingcodes,in-
cludinganythatsupercedetheseinstructions;
• poleinstallationappropriatetolocalwindandsoil
conditions;
• usingonlyUniracpartsandinstaller-suppliedparts
asspeciedbyUnirac(substitutionofpartswill
voidthewarranty);
• installingallelectricalaspectsofthePVarray.
Thank you for purchasing a Unirac. Please read these
guidelines completely before proceeding.
This rack is intended for a 2.5-inch (65 mm) Schedule 40
steel pole, outside diameter 2.875 inches (73.0 mm). For
larger diameter poles, Unirac can fill special orders for
larger U-bolts.
* Per module to be mounted. Series 5000 racks include module hardware to
mount 1 or 2 modules, depending on the model number.

Page
2
Installation Manual 501.5 Series 5000
Mounting pole guidelines for Unirac PV PoleTops
Mounting Pole Requirements
Imperial
Total Design
module wind Hole In-ground Concrete
area speed diameter pole depth volume
10 sq. ft. 90 mph 12 in. 30 in 2 cu. ft.
10 sq. ft 120 mph 15 in. 40 in 4 cu. ft.
15 sq. ft. 90 mph 15 in. 40 in 4 cu. ft.
15 sq. ft 120 mph 18 in. 42 in 6 cu. ft.
The installer is solely responsible for use of these
general guidelines. The following variances can affect
your installation:
• Therequireddiameteranddepthoftheholede-
pendonsoiltype.Sandysoil,forexample,requires
more concrete.
• Thediameteranddepthoftheholeshouldalso
be increased wherever wind speeds exceed those
listed in the table below, particularly if the site is
open and unprotected. Note the wind loading and
exposure assumptions in the table note below.
• Polestallerthan6feet(1.8metres)requirethat
the depth of the hole be increased.
If in doubt, consult a professional civil engineer who is famil-
iarwithlocalsoilconditionsandwindloadingrequirements.
1. Digtheholeatleast4inches(10cm)deeperthan
requiredunder“In-groundpoledepth”inthetable
below. Fill the extra depth with gravel to allow water
drainage.
2. Take some measure to prevent the pole from turning
in the concrete during high winds.
3. Brace the pole so that it is plumb in the hole. Pour
concrete around it, filling the hole to ground level.
Add an inch or two (3 to 5 cm) of extra concrete
above the hole. Trowel the concrete so that it slopes
up to the pole (see table illustration).
3. Allow the concrete to set up for at least 24 hours
before installing your PV Poletop.
In-ground
pole depth
Gravel
C
o
n
c
r
e
t
e
Schedule 40
steel pole
Metric
Total Design
module wind Hole In-ground Concrete
area speed diameter pole depth volume
1 sq. m 150 km/h 30 cm 85 cm 0.06 m3
1 sq. m 200 km/h 40 cm 90 cm 0.11 m3
1.5 sq. m 150 km/h 40 cm 85 cm 0.10 m3
1.5 sq. m 200 km/h 40 cm 135 cm 0.17 m3
Assumptions:The pole extends no more than 6 feet (1.8 metres) above ground. Design wind speeds
assume 29 psf wind force at 90 mph (150 km/h) and 51 psf wind force at 120 mph (200 km/h),
which correspond to Exposure Category C of the International Building Code, terrain that is flat and
generally open extending one-half mile (800 meters) or more from the site in any quadrant.

Page
3
Installation Manual 501.5 Series 5000
Assembly
Assembly order is not critical—except for installation of the self-tapping
screws, which occurs last. You may work either from the pole outward, or you
may complete the rack/PV module assembly before mounting it to the pole.
Loosely assemble all components.
Be certain that the channel is centered on the pole and that brackets sit with the
pivot hole above the arc hole.
Pre-drilled hole
SolarMount
rail
Self tapping
screw
Bracket
Pre-drilled hole
Channel
Pivot hole
Arc hole

Installation Manual 501.5 Series 5000
Unirac, Inc.
www.unirac.com
1411BroadwayBoulevardNE
AlbuquerqueNM87102-1545USA
505.242.6411
505.242.6412Fax
Page
4
10yearlimitedProductWarranty
Unirac, Inc., warrants to the original purchaser
(“Purchaser”) of product(s) that it manufactures
(“Product”) at the original installation site that
the Product shall be free from defects in material
and workmanship for a period of ten (10) years,
from the earlier of 1) the date the installation
of the Product is completed, or 2) 30 days after
the purchase of the Product by the original
Purchaser.This Warranty does not cover damage
to the Product that occurs during its shipment,
storage, or installation.
This Warranty shall be VOID if installation of
the Product is not performed in accordance
with Unirac’s written installation instructions, or
if the Product has been modified, repaired, or
reworked in a manner not previously authorized
by Unirac IN WRITING, or if the Product is
installed in an environment for which it was
not designed. Unirac shall not be liable for
consequential, contingent or incidental damages
arising out of the use of the Product by the
Purchaser under any circumstances.
If within the specified Warranty period the
Product shall be reasonably proven to be
defective, then Unirac shall repair or replace the
defective Product, or any part thereof, in Unirac’s
sole discretion. Such repair or replacement shall
completely satisfy and discharge all of Unirac’s
liability with respect to this limited Warranty.
Under no circumstances shall Unirac be liable
for special, indirect or consequential damages
arising out of or related to use by Purchaser of
the Product.
Manufacturers of related items, such as PV
modules and flashings, may provide written
warranties of their own. Unirac’s limited
Warranty covers only its Product, and not any
related items.
Final adjustments
Once the rack/PV module assembly is attached to the pole,
raise and rotate the assembly as needed. Never let the as-
semblyslidedownthepole. Tighten the flange nuts on the
U-bolt and channel bracket bolts. Then tilt the rails to bring
the module to the desired angle. Tighten the bracket/rail and
module.
If desired, install the self-tapping screws to permanently
fix the angle of the rack/PV module assembly.
Module attachment
Attach the PV module to the rack using clips and ¼-inch hard-
ware. Be sure to center the module on the channel. If channel
slotsdonotallowcorrectspacingandcentering:(1)movethe
clips to the other side of the rails, (2) reverse the brackets, or
(3) move the rails to the other side of the brackets.
PV module
SolarMount
heavy-duty rail
(cross section)
Module
mounting clip
Flat Washer: Most PV modules have mounting holes small enough
to secure the module bolt without the washer. Use the washer
with larger holes. If in doubt, use the washer.
Module bolt
Flange
nut
Module
mounting hole
Opposite clip
slot employed