Breakdown tests of glass fibre reinforced polymers (GFRP) as part of improved lightning protection of wind turbine blades

This paper addresses a need for analysing the interaction between electrical discharges and GFRP. A test method for evaluating the breakdown and withstand voltages for materials used in wind turbine blades has been developed. The method is based on IEC 243-3, methods of test for electrical strength...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Madsen, S.F., Holboell, J., Henriksen, M., Larsen, F.M., Hansen, L.B., Bertelsen, K.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Blades
Breakdown voltage
Conducting materials
Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation
Electric breakdown
Electric power plants
Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering
Electrical power engineering
Exact sciences and technology
Glass
Lightning protection
Materials
Materials testing
Miscellaneous
Non classical power plants
Optical fiber testing
Polymers
Testing. Reliability. Quality control
Wind power plants
Wind turbines
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Summary:This paper addresses a need for analysing the interaction between electrical discharges and GFRP. A test method for evaluating the breakdown and withstand voltages for materials used in wind turbine blades has been developed. The method is based on IEC 243-3, methods of test for electrical strength of solid insulating materials, and simulates the situation in a wind turbine blade, where a lightning discharge penetrates an insulating layer towards an inner earth conductor. Different GFRP materials supplied by Danish wind turbine blade manufacturers have been tested. In the subsequent experiments, both the test methods and the results are evaluated. The different results are compared with respect to the GFRP materials' overall thicknesses, thickness of laminates and thickness of coatings. Finally, some general conclusions and different statements on how to manufacture specimens with minimum likelihood of breakdown are stated.
ISSN:1089-084X
DOI:10.1109/ELINSL.2004.1380657