See How DEHN Provides Electrical Protection for Wind Turbines
Published 29 Mar 2023
Electrical Protection For Wind Turbines
Electrical Protection for Wind Turbines
Lightning & Surge Protection by DEHN
Ensure smooth operation and protect investments with lightning and surge protection safety equipment from DEHN.
Committed to the protection of workers and material assets, Thorne & Derrick together with DEHN can offer electrical protection specifically for wind turbines with a range of innovative products.
Thorne & Derrick provide an extensive range of electrical safety equipment including insulating gloves, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, substations, cables and electrical equipment.
Electrical Safety Products for LV MV HV Cables, Conductors, Substations & Earthing
Secure profit on your investment
The feed-in remuneration for renewables is sinking worldwide and putting the wind branch under increasing pressure. To ensure that investments in new wind turbines pay off in future, too, the top priority is to optimise the availability of the turbines. This prevents loss of revenue due to downtime and high service and repair costs.
Their height makes wind turbines particularly susceptible to destructive lightning events. If insufficient protective measures are taken, the risk of damage and downtime due to lightning is correspondingly high. An integrated lightning protection system is therefore a must.
It consists of external and internal lightning protection, earthing and equipotential bonding.
Take the safe option and entrust the globally recognised specialist DEHN with your lightning and surge protection. Our high-quality and durable products protect turbines on all continents, from the foundations to the rotor blades. Take advantage of our services and make quicker and verifiable progress. We can assist you by, for example, conducting risk analyses, creating bespoke protection concepts and product solutions, or conducting system tests in our accredited test centre.
Developing lightning protection zone concepts with expertise
To secure the availability of wind turbines, the lightning protection zone concept aims to prevent lightning damage to mechanical and electric components. This is achieved by discharging lightning current and controlling surges.
The lightning protection zone concept for wind turbines described in IEC 61400-24 deals with the topic of lightning protection for wind turbines including detailed information on the selection of lightning and surge protection measures 1).
As the basis for creating a protection concept, a wind turbine is subdivided into lightning protection zones. One distinguishes here between external zones (LPZ 0A und 0B) and internal zones (LPZ 1, LPZ 2…n) 2). The external zones of a wind turbine – except the rotor blade – are determined by way of the rolling sphere method. The subdivision of the internal zones very much depends on the construction of the individual wind turbine and should be conducted accordingly.
Having laid down the relevant lighting protection zones, one can then define the necessary protective measures. It is advisable to create a lightning protection concept at the initial planning stage of a wind turbine to avoid later cost-intensive repairs and retrofitting. Long experience in the field of lightning and surge protection and the numerous system tests conducted for the wind industry have given DEHN the know-how to develop effective lightning protection systems for wind turbines. We will assist you in developing a lightning protection concept for your turbine consisting of external lightning protection, internal lightning protection, equipotential bonding and earthing.
1) IEC 61400-24 Lightning Protection of Wind Turbines
2) LPZ: Lightning Protection Zone
Always reliably informed with DEHNdetect
Lightning Current Measuring System Prevents Subsequent Damage
Damage resulting from a lightning strike does not necessarily lead to the immediate failure of the turbine. This means that lightning events often remain undetected, especially in the case of upward flashes where the initial long stroke current flowing is only a few 100 A and can be the main cause of damage, e.g., to the rotor blades.
Continued operation of the turbine can lead to serious subsequent damage. Lightning current measuring systems are often employed to detect lightning events and prevent subsequent damage. However, dangerous upward flashes are not always fully detected due to the low current flow of the measuring system. As well as impulse currents, DEHNdetect also reliably registers these dangerous long stroke currents, thus preventing expensive maintenance work and long downtimes. DEHNdetect identifies the following parameters:
- Impulse current [kA]
- Long stroke current [A]
- Load [C]
- Specific energy [MJ/Ω]
- Rise time [kA/μs]
Benefits:
- Prevention of subsequent damage
- Reduction of maintenance / repair costs
- Reduction of downtime
The system can be integrated in the IT infrastructure of the wind turbine via existing interfaces. The data can then simply be read out and managed using the available SCADA systems. If direct integration is not possible, the data can be transmitted to a cloud and evaluated via a web application. This makes it possible to monitor several turbines or even entire wind parks.
Invest in availability to secure the power supply of your turbine, today and tomorrow.
DEHNdetect Components | ||
1 | DEHNdetect BDU Detector for the wireless detection of lightning current in the rotor. |
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2 | DEHNdetect ICC IMP Measuring coil long stroke current and impulse current. Measuring range 60 A to 250 kA. |
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3 | DEHNdetect DL Data logger with different interfaces for integration in IT systems. |
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4 | DEHNdetect integrator Processing of the measuring signals and transmission to the data logger. |
Lightning & surge protection
in the Wind Turbine nacelle
All lightning and surge protective devices by DEHN for application in wind turbines are vibration- and shock-tested in compliance with IEC 60068-2.
Power Supply Systems
By implementing coordinated surge protection measures for power supply systems, the risk of system downtime due to lightning currents and surges can be avoided. This increases the availability of the wind turbine in the long term.
Information Technology Systems
A consistent protection concept prevents damage to information and data systems. Condition monitoring is indispensable for operational safety and plant availablity. The monitoring unit for the condition-oriented monitoring of up to 50 BLITZDUCTORconnect arresters fulfils this task. Remote monitoring is also possible.
Application | Type | ||
Power Supply Systems | |||
1 | DEHNsolid | Rotor blade heating Coordinated type 1 SPD, with 200 kA discharge capacity and low voltage protection level (Up ≤ 2.5 kV). |
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2 | DEHNguard M TN CI | Pitch system, aircraft warning light Type 2 SPD, especially space- and cost-saving due to integrated backup fuse. |
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3 | DEHNguard SE H 1000 VA FM + earthing clip |
Generator Type 2 SPD, further development of the “Neptune circuit” – Advantages: small dimensions save space and costs, improved protection level. |
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4 | DEHNguard M TNC | Voltage supply
Type 2 SPD |
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Information Technology Systems |
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5 |
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BLITZDUCTORconnect |
Protects signal, bus or control lines |
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DEHNpatch Class E |
Universal type 2 SPD for Ethernet and structured cabling up to 250 MHz. |
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BLITZDUCTOR VT |
Weather station |
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DEHNrecord IRCM |
Condition monitoring unit for up to 50 BLITZDUCTORconnect arresters. With LED status indication and floating remote signalling contact. |
Safely discharging lightning current
External Lightning Protection
Safe interception and discharge of direct lightning strikes is paramount for the availability of a wind turbine. DEHN ensures that this is the case by testing components like the HVI power Conductor with a lightning current of 200 kA (10/350 μs) as stipulated in IEC 62561. The stainless steel design of the air-termination rods and connection elements fulfils stringent corrosion resistance requirements.
Earthing & Equipotential Bonding
Safe operation of electrical equipment and systems and a well-functioning lightning protection system require an earth-termination system designed according to IEC 61400- 24 1). Connection elements which are capable of carrying short-circuit current ensure the safe contact of the earth-termination system with metal parts of the foundations and the main earthing busbar. A high level of product quality safeguards long-term mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.
Application | Type | ||
External Lightning Protection | |||
1 | |
HVI power Conductor (in supporting tube with air-termination rod)) |
Class of LPS 1 – 200 kA (10/350 μs) – High-voltage-resistant, insulated down conductor for maintaining the separation distance. |
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HVI power long Conductor (cut to length) |
Individual lengths, on request we can assemble your conductors with the appropriate connection elements. |
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UNI disconnection clamp 200 kA | 200 kA lightning current carrying capability according to IEC 62561- 1 2), stainless steel V2A. |
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KS connector 200 kA | 200 kA lightning current carrying capability according to IEC 62561- 1 2), stainless steel V2A. |
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MV clamp 200 kA |
200 kA lightning current carrying capability according to IEC 62561- 1 2), stainless steel V2A. Lightning current carrying connection of the air-termination system and down conductor. |
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Tubular air-termination rod |
Safe interception of the flash charge in permanently corrosionresistant, stainless steel design. |
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Air-termination rod StSt |
Safe interception of the flash charge in permanently corrosionresistant, stainless steel design |
Application | Type | ||
Foundation Earthing | |||
1 | |
Connecting clamps | Clamps for connecting round and flat conductors in concrete foundations and reinforcements with round and flat conductors with tested short circuit current carrying capacity (50 Hz). |
Round wire 10 mm St/tZn | Round wire tested to IEC 62561-2 for use in lightning protection and earth-termination systems 3). | ||
Strip 30 x 3.5 St/tZn | Strip tested to IEC 62561-2 for use in lightning protection and earth-termination systems 3). | ||
Fixed earthing terminal type M V4A |
Corrosion-resistant connection of the ring earthing with the foundation earthing at the base of the tower. | ||
Ring Earth Electrode | |||
2 |
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Connection clamp with threaded bolt StSt (V4A) |
For connection of round and flat V4A conductors to fixed earthing terminal |
Cross unit StSt V4A | Corrosion-resistant connection of the individual ring conductors in V4A. | ||
Stainless steel strip V4A | Corrosion-resistant ring conductor in V4A. | ||
Equipotential Bonding | |||
3 | |
Equipotential bonding in the tower base/equipotential busbar StSt |
Suitable for equipotential bonding and protective/functional equipotential bonding. |
Safe service and maintenance work
DEHN safety equipment
Safe Right Down The Line
Work on electrical systems is becoming more and more demanding. Make sure you use safe and reliable equipment. DEHN offers tested products and reliable services which protect your employees from injury caused by arc faults and secure the availability of your systems. This gives you, as the employer, legal certainty.
Safe At Work
- Personal protective equipment and arc flash clothing
- Voltage detectors
- EaS devices
- Fixed ball points
- Arc fault protection systems
Application | |
External Lightning Protection | |
Safe when it matters most Reliable protection against arc faults in electrical installations: DEHNcare personal protective equipment keeps you safe from the thermal effects of an arc fault. DEHNcare equipment is also comfortable to wear thanks to the unique material combination of leather and neoprene. The protective equipment is tested to international standards and consists of a hood, safety helmet for electricians, face shield, protective gloves, jacket and trousers or coat. |
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Voltage Detectors | |
Safe right down the line Make sure that no voltage is present with a capacitive voltage detector from 1kV to 420kV. Choose from a wide range of voltage detectors – you are bound to find your voltage and frequency! |
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EaS devices and fixed ball points | |
Safe earthing and short-circuiting (EaS) Configuring your individual EaS device for your system is simple and flexible. Fixed ball points |
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Arc fault protection system |
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Safe – fast – flexible DEHNshort quenches arc faults in your low-voltage switchgear installations in milliseconds. Your employees are safe when carrying out maintenance and repairs. Profit from optimised system availability: your system runs and runs, downtime due to an arc fault is significantly reduced. |
ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROVIDERS
We protect substation engineers, asset managers, SAPS, cable jointers, overhead linesmen and utility workers with PPE and safety equipment: this includes insulating gloves, arc flash clothing, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out repair and maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, transformers, substations and turbines.
All of our Cable Connection & Energisation Accessories including Medium & High Voltage joints, terminations, connectors and cleats are tested to the latest international standards and supporting ranges of professional installation tools are stocked to reduce incident, accident and downtime to plant and people.