What Splice Bars, Grounding Clips and Other Small Accessories are Needed with Solar Bracket System?

A solar installation crew arrives at a 500 kW rooftop project. The Solar Bracket rails are on site. The modules are on site. The inverter is on site. But the splice bars are missing. The grounding clips were not ordered. The mid clamps are the wrong size for the module frame. The crew cannot work. The project is delayed by three days while the missing parts are air-freighted from the supplier. This scenario is repeated on job sites around the world. The small accessories are often overlooked during procurement. But they determine whether the array is mechanically secure and electrically grounded. This guide lists the accessories that are required with a solar bracket system and explains what each one does.

1. Why Are Splice Bars Critical for Rail Continuity?

The Solar Bracket rails are supplied in standard lengths, usually 4.2 meters or 6 meters. Most arrays are longer than a single rail. The splice bar connects two rail sections to form a continuous beam. The splice bar is a machined aluminum insert that slides into the hollow channel of the rail. It is secured with bolts or self-tapping screws. The splice bar must transfer the bending moment and the shear force from one rail section to the next. If the splice bar is undersized or poorly installed, the rail will sag or separate under wind load. The table below shows the typical splice bar specifications for different rail sizes.

In our factory, we manufacture splice bars that are extruded from the same alloy as the rail. This ensures that the thermal expansion coefficient matches and that the galvanic corrosion risk is eliminated. The splice bars are anodized to the same thickness as the rail. Ningbo Gangtong Zheli Fasteners Co.,Ltd. has been manufacturing solar mounting accessories for over 10 years.

2. How Do Grounding Clips Ensure Electrical Safety?

The grounding clip, also called a bonding clip or a WEEB washer, creates an electrical bond between the module frame and the rail. The module frame is anodized aluminum, which is an insulator. The grounding clip has sharp teeth that penetrate the anodized layer and bite into the aluminum beneath. This creates a low-resistance path for fault current. The grounding clips must be installed at every module-to-rail interface. The table below shows the specifications for different grounding clip types.

The grounding clips must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Over-tightening can crush the clip and reduce the contact area. Under-tightening can allow the clip to loosen over time. In our factory, we provide a torque specification for each grounding clip. We also recommend that the installer verify the continuity of the grounding path with a micro-ohmmeter. The resistance between the module frame and the rail should be less than 0.1 ohm. Ningbo Gangtong Zheli Fasteners Co.,Ltd. supplies grounding clips that are certified to UL 467 and IEC 62548.

3. What Other Small Accessories Are Needed for a Complete Installation?

In addition to splice bars and grounding clips, there are several other small accessories that are required for a complete Solar Bracket installation. The mid clamps secure the modules to the rail between two adjacent modules. The end clamps secure the modules at the ends of the rail. The cable clips hold the DC cables to the rail. The rail end caps close the open ends of the rail. The table below lists these accessories and their functions.

4. How Do You Choose the Right Accessories for Different Installation Environments?

The choice of accessories depends on the installation environment. For coastal installations, all accessories must be stainless steel 316 or aluminum with a thick anodized coating. For installations with high snow load, the splice bars and clamps must be rated for the higher moment. For installations on standing seam metal roofs, the clamps must be compatible with the seam profile. The table below shows the accessory selection guide for different environments.

In our factory, we provide a site-specific accessory recommendation based on the customer's location and the project requirements. We also provide a bill of materials that lists every accessory with the quantity and the specification. Ningbo Gangtong Zheli Fasteners Co.,Ltd. has supplied solar mounting accessories to projects in over 30 countries.

Summary for Installers and Procurement Managers

A Solar Bracket system is not complete without the small accessories. Splice bars connect the rails, grounding clips ensure electrical safety, mid clamps and end clamps secure the modules, and cable clips manage the wiring. The correct selection of these accessories depends on the installation environment and the project requirements. Ordering the accessories together with the main bracket system prevents project delays and ensures that the installation is mechanically secure and electrically grounded. Ningbo Gangtong Zheli Fasteners Co.,Ltd. manufactures a complete range of solar mounting accessories and provides site-specific recommendations.

Ningbo Gangtong Zheli Fasteners Co.,Ltd. manufactures Solar Bracket splice bars, grounding clips, mid clamps, end clamps, cable clips, and rail end caps. We provide complete accessory kits, bill of materials, and installation guides for all of our products.