Bent or cracked structure

This symptom is mechanical damage you can see on the mounting structure, such as cracked or bent members. It can also show as other visible defects, like corrosion of the frame or of the mounting holes. It is found by visual inspection. The sources list no monitoring-data signature for the structure itself. It points to a defective or unsuitable mounting structure. Typical causes are a design that cannot take the site's wind or snow loads, weak anchoring to the ground or roof, the wrong materials (for example poor galvanisation in a corrosive setting), or installation errors such as missing parts or screws that are too tight or too loose. Where an aluminium module frame sits on a steel structure, look closely around the fastening screws for galvanic corrosion. This is most important in humid or coastal sites, where the two metals need insulating from each other. A bent or cracked frame on the module itself is logged as a separate module frame defect, so note whether the damage is on the module or on the racking. A damaged structure can harm the modules on it. Check nearby modules for glass breakage, cell cracks, backsheet damage, disconnected strings, or a damaged or detached junction box, because these drive the power loss. Check first whether the structure is a direct safety risk, since such structures should be repaired or replaced. Then check the local wind and snow loads, and confirm the structure is compatible with the modules and was mounted as the manufacturer instructs.

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• sentence 2: support check: partial - Detection is VI (visual inspection), but the passages do not state that no monitoring-data signature is listed.
• sentence 4: support check: partial - Passages state galvanic corrosion around fastening screws for aluminium frame on steel, especially in humid/coastal areas, with insulation required; the instruction to look closely is an inference, though close.
• sentence 5: support check: partial - Passages list bent frame and frame cracking as module frame defects, but don't say to note whether damage is on module or racking, nor that they are logged separately from the mounting structure defect.
• sentence 7: support check: partial - Passages give safety-risk repair/replace, local load check, compatible structures and manufacturer instructions, but not the stated ordering (first/then). -->