Testing of Solar Geysers

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• Testing of Solar Geysers
• Malcolm Vowles
• Manager Certification, Mechanical, Metallurgy
  Safety Industries
• SABS COMMERCIAL (PTY) LTD
• on
• 15 October 2009

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• Standardization of Solar Water Heater Systems is
  established in South Africa in terms of the South
  African National Standard, SANS 13072009

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• Standardization of Solar Water Heater Systems is
  established in South Africa in terms of the South
  African National Standard, SANS 13072009
• Putting Standards into Practice
• To promote energy efficiency
• To reduce the risk as perceived by the purchaser,
  end-user or Regulator
• To establish Norms for safety and performance
• Conformity assessment by Product Certification
  based on the accepted standard is a means of
  demonstrating product compliance.

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Third Party Conformity Assessment

• What are the South African Requirements?
• Compulsory safety requirements
• Electrical (compulsory)
• Hydraulic pressure, temperature (by reference)
• Compliance to designated standards in accordance
  with the National Water Services Act and National
  Building Regulations (under review, re-issue)
• Governmental directives and industrial incentives
  to conserve energy
• Training of Personnel installers, plumbers
  training modules based on standard requirements
• Assurance by an independent third party of
  conformance to product requirements
• A measure of product efficiency
• Value for Money

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SA National Standard

• SANS 13072009 Domestic solar water heaters
• The National Standard is for solar water heater
  systems
• Collector, storage tank and associated plumbing -
  not just collectors
• References other SANS standards,
• SANS 151, etc.
• Includes specific requirements for South African
  conditions
• Hail test, etc
• Specifies Test Methods
• Mechanical, electrical, solar
• Advanced (outdoor) thermal performance exposure
  test equivalent International test method SA
  result for complete solar system, not component
  testing
• Draft ISO method under consideration for
  comparing component and system thermal
  performance test results

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Outdoor Exposure Test Facility
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Thermal Performance Exposure Test
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Rain Penetration Test
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Resistance to Freezing
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Pulsation Test
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SA National Standard

• SANS 13072009 Domestic solar water heaters
• First published 1980, now into 4th edition
• Equivalent to International and Regional
  Standards
• ISO 9459 EN 12975, etc.
• Convergence of standards internationally SANS
  1307 to follow?
• Covers configurations such as integral /
  close-coupled direct / indirect thermo-siphon /
  pumped
• Certain advances in solar technology /
  configurations / materials are not covered by the
  standard or reference requirements
• SANS 1512008 Fixed electrical storage water
  containers.
• Under review to include other materials, etc
• Limitation on acceptance of International tests
  and products
• Due to compulsory SA requirements, test
  methodology, etc.

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Conformity Assessment

• Full Test Report to SANS 1307 required to
  demonstrate conformance to specification
  requirements
• Includes hot water storage unit, safety valves,
  etc
• Required for acceptance under the Eskom DSM
  Programme
• Test Report only applicable to the sample under
  test
• Prototype approval
• Does not afford Product Certification Approval
• Quality Management System Approval (ISO
  90012008) is NOT Product Approval

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Product Certification

• Certification of a product is a means of
  providing assurance that it complies with
  specified standards and other normative documents
• SABS Mark Scheme type 5 Product Certification
  scheme
• Product testing and manufacturing quality
  assurance audit, plus post-approval sampling and
  test
• Permit awarded to the manufacturer allowing the
  application of the SABS Mark to the accepted
  product.
• Provides ongoing assurance of product quality to
  standard requirements
• Required for maintenance of products on the ESKOM
  DSM Programme

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Mark Scheme

• Thank You