SolaStat™-1-3 Installation Guide
Version 1.1 – April 2013 Page 14
PLUMBING TIP S , CONTINUED
Pressure
Relief Valves
Solar hot water systems can run much hotter than standard domestic hot
water systems. Hotter water expands more, and needs high quality pressure
relief valves to ensure the tank or other components do not burst under
pressure.
A qualified plumber can recommend the best practice solution for each
installation for pressure relief valves, including the number and placement of
them.
Air Relief
Valve
Air locks can occur within the piping system (as well as the pump). These
can increase the pressure that the pump is working against, to the point
where the pump can no longer circulate the water.
To avoid this, an air relief valve should be fitted (especially in low pressure
systems).
Your registered plumber should install the air relief valve to the highest point
of the return from the solar water collector.
About Pump
Cavitation
If the water pressure drops and/ or the temperature of water being pumped
rises, cavitation can occur at the pump. This is especially likely in low
pressure systems.
Bubbles form when the water is sucked into the pump’s impellor; and they
collapse again when the water is ejected out of the impellor.
This can make a rumbling/ cracking noise (like stones are passing through
the pump). It can cause damage to the impellor and other sensitive
components; and it also results in less volume of water being moved.
Your SolaStat™ has an automatic timer setting, which can help to minimise
cavitation.
The timer is normally factory set to switch off the pump after every 10
minutes operation, for a period of one minute. This helps any accumulated
air to escape from the pump.
This feature can also help prevent the pump from running for extended
periods in a ‘locked up’ state.
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