Flame Detection for Wind Turbines

There are many potential fire risks within wind turbines. Fires can occur due to lightning strikes due to the turbine’s height. Fires can also start from mechanical or electrical malfunctions. And since the turbine’s nacelle contains up to 200 gallons of flammable hydraulic fluid and lubricants, and the nacelle itself is made from flammable resin and glass fiber, the risk of ignition is high. Electrical equipment, such as capacitors, transformers, generators, electrical controls and transmission equipment all have the potential to catch fire, as do Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Loose or broken electrical connections or overloaded electrical circuits are also a cause for concern. Braking systems are also a high fire risk, as they may overheat. Hydraulic pumps and connections can also fail, allowing the fluid to ignite when it meets a hot surface. The Rosemount™ 975HR Flame Detector can quickly detect fires with a high immunity to false alarms.