One of Reobijn’s customers wanted to redevelop its system for mounting solar panels on a pitched roof to make installation easier and less labor-intensive. The entire system consists of various metal components and plastic injection molding components. The challenge here is earthing the metal frames, which is mandatory since 1-1-2016, as included in the updated NEN 1010. Solar panels themselves do not need to be earthed, as they are double insulated).
The main reason is actually quite simple. The solar panels and mounting system may have a potential difference. This means there is a (small) voltage between the solar panels and the earth, which can cause a shock. We know this from, for example, the car (which is why there are sometimes rubber strips under cars that include a metal wire in the rubber that acts just like a ground wire, so you no longer get a shock). This voltage is usually not dangerous. But the annoying thing about a roof is that you can fall off. Just imagine a window cleaner standing on a ladder and being startled, causing him to fall.
The metal profiles are connected by means of a newly developed plastic injection molding product called “the coupling piece”. The plastic must be electrically conductive to reduce the number of points for grounding. In close contact with the customer and raw material suppliers, the right sufficiently conductive plastic is selected. With regard to the requirements imposed on this coupling piece, a polypropylene reinforced with carbon fiber was chosen for this specific injection molding component, which ensures electrical conductivity. In addition, the plastic is UV stabilized and offers protection against heat aging. The carbon fiber is obtained by reprocessing carbon fiber parts, which makes the raw material more sustainable.
The injection mold has a 4-fold design
