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PIS-CS-042/Lightning protection

Lightning protection starts at the blade

The Base Was Earthed. The Blades Were Still Taking the Lightning.

ZafaranaEnergy3 min read
From blade receptor to foundation and electronicsEngineered approach for PIS-CS-042. Verify the OEM receptor-to-blade-to-hub current path. Coordinate nacelle/tower bonding and foundation termination. Review SPDs and correlate strike logs, inspections and SCADA events. Conceptual teaching detail, not an as-built drawing or construction instruction. © PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved.PIS ENGINEERING / CASE 042From blade receptor to foundation and electronicsENGINEERED APPROACHCONVERTERSPDBlade damage needs strike, inspection and continuity evidence.1231Verify the OEMreceptor-to-blade-to-hubcurrent path.2Coordinate nacelle/towerbonding and foundationtermination.3Review SPDs and correlatestrike logs, inspections andSCADA events.READ THE DETAILEquipment, joints and current-path interfaces are shown in context.Conceptual teaching plate · no project dimensions or acceptance limits impliedPIS / REV 03© PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved

Engineering concept / vector field note

01

The field problem

Wind Turbine — Zafarana

Blade failures and turbine malfunction were reported while the protection concept focused mainly on the turbine base.

why the obvious answer can be misleading

A wind turbine requires a complete lightning-current path from blade receptor/internal conductor through hub, nacelle and tower to the foundation/earth-termination system, together with protection of LV/MV, converter, control and communication systems. Blade failure should not be attributed solely to lightning without evidence.

02

Why it failed

A wind turbine requires a complete lightning-current path from blade receptor/internal conductor through hub, nacelle and tower to the foundation/earth-termination system, together with protection of LV/MV, converter, control and communication systems.

Blade failure should not be attributed solely to lightning without evidence.

03

Follow the engineering

Switch between the field condition and the engineering concept. Trace the path and examine what changes.

Inspect the engineering detail

From blade receptor to foundation and electronicsEngineered approach for PIS-CS-042. Verify the OEM receptor-to-blade-to-hub current path. Coordinate nacelle/tower bonding and foundation termination. Review SPDs and correlate strike logs, inspections and SCADA events. Conceptual teaching detail, not an as-built drawing or construction instruction. © PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved.PIS ENGINEERING / CASE 042From blade receptor to foundation and electronicsENGINEERED APPROACHCONVERTERSPDBlade damage needs strike, inspection and continuity evidence.1231Verify the OEMreceptor-to-blade-to-hubcurrent path.2Coordinate nacelle/towerbonding and foundationtermination.3Review SPDs and correlatestrike logs, inspections andSCADA events.READ THE DETAILEquipment, joints and current-path interfaces are shown in context.Conceptual teaching plate · no project dimensions or acceptance limits impliedPIS / REV 03© PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved

Case 042 · Engineered approach

100%
From blade receptor to foundation and electronicsEngineered approach for PIS-CS-042. Verify the OEM receptor-to-blade-to-hub current path. Coordinate nacelle/tower bonding and foundation termination. Review SPDs and correlate strike logs, inspections and SCADA events. Conceptual teaching detail, not an as-built drawing or construction instruction. © PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved.PIS ENGINEERING / CASE 042From blade receptor to foundation and electronicsENGINEERED APPROACHCONVERTERSPDBlade damage needs strike, inspection and continuity evidence.1231Verify the OEMreceptor-to-blade-to-hubcurrent path.2Coordinate nacelle/towerbonding and foundationtermination.3Review SPDs and correlatestrike logs, inspections andSCADA events.READ THE DETAILEquipment, joints and current-path interfaces are shown in context.Conceptual teaching plate · no project dimensions or acceptance limits impliedPIS / REV 03© PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved

Scroll to inspect. Numbered details match the notes below the drawing. Conceptual geometry; use the case text for the engineering requirements.

What changes

Review the OEM blade LPS, receptors and internal conductors; verify hub/nacelle/tower bonding and foundation earthing; coordinate LV/MV earthing and SPDs; consider lightning-event monitoring/counters to trigger post-strike inspection.

Teaching schematic · not to scale© PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved
04

Correction & verification

Review the OEM blade LPS, receptors and internal conductors; verify hub/nacelle/tower bonding and foundation earthing; coordinate LV/MV earthing and SPDs; consider lightning-event monitoring/counters to trigger post-strike inspection.

Verification recorded in the case

  • Correlate strike records with blade inspection, continuity, SPD status and SCADA events.
  • Record as-built topology and connection points.
  • Repeat the measurement or functional test under a defined condition.
  • Confirm continuity and mechanical integrity of the corrected path.
  • Document instrument/setup, environmental condition and test method.
  • Close the NCR/case only when evidence supports the conclusion.
References & project context

References are reproduced from the PIS casebook. Select the governing edition and project acceptance criteria before using them for a design. The diagrams explain the concept, rather than define construction dimensions.

IEC 61400-24; IEC 62561-6 for lightning strike counters where applicable; IEC 62305 concepts for associated facilities.

PIS reviewed field handbook · PIS-CS-042

05

The engineering lesson

A wind turbine is not protected because its base is earthed. The protection path starts where lightning attaches.

Take the lesson into your next design review.

Keep exploring

Connected lessons.

All cases
Interception separated from hazardous contentsEngineered approach for PIS-CS-018. Assess a free-standing or non-attached interception arrangement. Calculate protection volume and separation for the actual installation. Coordinate controlled down paths, bonding and earth termination. Conceptual teaching detail, not an as-built drawing or construction instruction. © PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved.PIS ENGINEERING / CASE 018Interception separated from hazardous contentsENGINEERED APPROACHASSESS SEPARATIONProtection geometry and separation must be calculated for the facility.1231Assess a free-standing ornon-attached interceptionarrangement.2Calculate protection volumeand separation for the actualinstallation.3Coordinate controlled downpaths, bonding and earthtermination.READ THE DETAILEquipment, joints and current-path interfaces are shown in context.Conceptual teaching plate · no project dimensions or acceptance limits impliedPIS / REV 03© PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved
18

Lightning protection

Lightning protection around hazardous chemicals

The wrong lightning system can add an ignition source.

Water-treatment plant3 min
Heritage protection starts with consequence of lossEngineered approach for PIS-CS-019. Assess lightning risk for the specific heritage building. Include irreplaceable loss and service-related risks. Select coordinated measures from the documented assessment. Conceptual teaching detail, not an as-built drawing or construction instruction. © PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved.PIS ENGINEERING / CASE 019Heritage protection starts with consequence of lossENGINEERED APPROACHOccupancy, incoming services and irreplaceable loss belong in theassessment.1231Assess lightning risk for thespecific heritage building.2Include irreplaceable lossand service-related risks.3Select coordinated measuresfrom the documentedassessment.READ THE DETAILEquipment, joints and current-path interfaces are shown in context.Conceptual teaching plate · no project dimensions or acceptance limits impliedPIS / REV 03© PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved
19

Lightning protection

Protecting an irreplaceable heritage building

Fourteen metres high did not make the contents replaceable.

Luxor3 min
Separate assessments for adjacent towersEngineered approach for PIS-CS-026. Perform a project-specific risk assessment for each structure. Assess interception geometry separately from risk classification. Select each protection arrangement from its own documented inputs. Conceptual teaching detail, not an as-built drawing or construction instruction. © PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved.PIS ENGINEERING / CASE 026Separate assessments for adjacent towersENGINEERED APPROACHRISK ARISK BNeighbouring height informs geometry; each building still needs a riskstudy.1231Perform a project-specificrisk assessment for eachstructure.2Assess interception geometryseparately from riskclassification.3Select each protectionarrangement from its owndocumented inputs.READ THE DETAILEquipment, joints and current-path interfaces are shown in context.Conceptual teaching plate · no project dimensions or acceptance limits impliedPIS / REV 03© PIS Engineering Academy · All rights reserved
26

Lightning protection

Two towers need two risk assessments

The shorter tower was not automatically protected by the taller tower.

New Administrative Capital3 min
Discuss a similar challenge Return to case 01