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EARTHING AND GROUNDING OF WIND TURBINES

Discover the implementation of grounding circuits for concrete foundations of wind turbines

Overview

Earthing and grounding applied to wind turbines

Grounding of the foundations

To ensure continuity of service, profitability while preserving the protection of infrastructure and people, earthing of the wind turbine is an essential element in the protection against lightning and power surges. The earthing is put in place from the beginning of the construction of the wind turbine.

By this principle, the fault current dissipates into the earth via concrete and the outer earth electrode.

Earth electrodes and fundation

Visualize the earth electrodes of a wind turbine

Earth electrodes mouting into concrete foundation

Implementation may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, however earthing consists of:

  • Inner earth electrode available into the concrete foundation
  • Inner earth electrode available outside the concrete foundation
  • Connection components

Principle diagram

Check our clamps solutions

Carrying out the earthing of a wind farm

MALTEP, as a specialist, can advise you on all the material required for the grounding of wind turbines, the diagram below represents the earth electrodes of a wind turbine:

Legend and corresponding products

  • ––– Round A4 stainless steel 8mm diameter round conductor or 50mm² copper cable

  • ––– 30x3.5mm hot-dip galvanized tape conductor

  • •  A4 stainless steel square clamps for tape/round connection with sealing tape

  • Hot-dip galvanized steel square clamps for tape/tape connection

  • Hot-dip galvanized steel square clamps for tape/rebar connectio

  • Earth terminal with stainless steel flask

Implementation

Things to know when installing

A few rules to remember for implementation

For the deployment of the grounding equipment of wind turbines, keep in mind the following points:

  • Conductors Located on the outer ring must be in copper or stainless steel with a minimal cross section of 50mm²
  • Galvanized steel conductors located in the concrete must have a minimal cross section of 95mm²
  • Galvanized steel conductors located in the inner ring must be connected every 2 meters
  • Connection clamps must be manufactured according to the IEC EN 62561-1
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