A Study of Protection Range of Diverter Strips Used for Lightning Protection of Wind Turbine Blades

Abstract:
Wind power generation systems are often damaged by lightning strikes depending on its installation status, and many blade damages have been reported. Blade damages occur when an electric discharge is generated inside the blade and the heat causes the water vapor to expand rapidly. Therefore, from the viewpoint of damage prevention, it is important not to generate an electric discharge inside the blade. In recent years, blade damages have frequently occurred due to the discharge that penetrates the blade skin and attaches the down conductor inside the blade. In this report, the results of examining the effects of disconnection of the down conductor on the protection range of the divertor strips on the protective effect of the divertor strips are investigated.