IEC 61400-24:2010

Wind turbines - Part 24: Lightning protection

IEC 61400-24:2010(E) applies to lightning protection of wind turbine generators and wind power systems. Defines the lightning environment for wind turbines and application of the environment for risk assessment for the wind turbine. Defines requirements for protection of blades, other structural components and electrical and control systems against both direct and indirect effects of lightning. Recommends test methods to validate compliance. Provides guidance on the use of applicable lightning protection, industrial electrical and EMC standards including earthing. Provides guidance regarding personal safety. Makes normative references to generic standards for lightning protection, low-voltage systems and high-voltage systems for machinery and installations and EMC.
This publication is of high relevance for Smart Grid.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 15-Jun-2010
• ICS: 27.180 - Wind turbine energy systems
• Technical Committee: TC 88 - Wind energy generation systems
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Completion Date: 03-Jul-2019

Relations

• Replaces: IEC TR 61400-24:2002 - Wind turbine generator systems - Part 24: Lightning protection
• Effective Date: 28-Jun-2024
• Revised: IEC 61400-24:2019 - Wind energy generation systems - Part 24: Lightning protection
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61400-24 ®
Edition 1.0 2010-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Wind turbines –
Part 24: Lightning protection
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IEC 61400-24 ®
Edition 1.0 2010-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Wind turbines –
Part 24: Lightning protection
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
XG
ICS 27.180 ISBN 978-2-88910-969-2
– 2 – 61400-24 © IEC:2010(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.8

1 Scope.10

2 Normative references .10

3 Terms and definitions .12

4 Symbols and units .18

5 Abbreviations .20

6 Lightning environment for wind turbine .20

6.1 General .20
6.2 Lightning current parameters and lightning protection levels (LPL) .20
7 Lightning exposure assessment.22
7.1 General .22
7.2 Assessing the frequency of lightning affecting a wind turbine .23
7.3 Assessing the risk of damage.26
7.3.1 Basic equation.26
7.3.2 Assessment of risk components due to flashes to the wind turbine
(S1) .27
7.3.3 Assessment of the risk component due to flashes near the wind
turbine (S2) .27
7.3.4 Assessment of risk components due to flashes to a service line
connected to the wind turbine (S3) .27
7.3.5 Assessment of risk component due to flashes near a service line
connected to the wind turbine (S4) .28
8 Lightning protection of subcomponents.29
8.1 General .29
8.2 Blades.29
8.2.1 General .29
8.2.2 Requirements .29
8.2.3 Verification .29
8.2.4 Protection design considerations .30
8.2.5 Test methods.32
8.3 Nacelle and other structural components.32
8.3.1 General .32
8.3.2 Hub .33

8.3.3 Spinner.33
8.3.4 Nacelle .33
8.3.5 Tower .34
8.3.6 Testing methods .34
8.4 Mechanical drive train and yaw system.34
8.4.1 General .34
8.4.2 Bearings.35
8.4.3 Hydraulic systems .35
8.4.4 Spark gaps and sliding contacts .35
8.4.5 Testing .35
8.5 Electrical low-voltage systems and electronic systems and installations .36
8.5.1 General .36
8.5.2 LEMP protection measures (LPMS) .36
8.5.3 Lightning protection zones (LPZ) .37

61400-24 © IEC:2010(E) – 3 –
8.5.4 Equipotential bonding within the wind turbine .37

8.5.5 Shielding and line routing .37

8.5.6 Coordinated SPD protection .38

8.5.7 Testing methods for system immunity tests.41

8.6 Electrical high-voltage (HV) power systems.41

9 Earthing of wind turbines and wind farms .43

9.1 General .43

9.1.1 Basic requirements.43

9.1.2 Earth electrode arrangements.43

9.1.3 Earthing system impedance.44
9.2 Equipotential bonding.44
9.2.1 General .44
9.2.2 Lightning equipotential bonding for metal installations .44
9.2.3 Electrically insulated LPS .45
9.3 Structural components.45
9.3.1 General .45
9.3.2 Metal tubular type tower .45
9.3.3 Metal reinforced concrete towers .45
9.3.4 Lattice tower.46
9.3.5 Systems inside the tower.46
9.3.6 Concrete foundation .46
9.3.7 Rocky area foundation.47
9.3.8 Metal mono-pile foundation.47
9.3.9 Offshore foundation .47
9.4 Electrode shape dimensions.47
9.5 Wind farms.48
9.6 Execution and maintenance of the earthing system .48
10 Personal safety .49
11 Documentation of lightning protection system.50
11.1 General .50
11.2 Documentation necessary during assessment for design evaluation .50
11.2.1 General documentation.50
11.2.2 Documentation for rotor blades.51
11.2.3 Documentation of mechanical systems .51
11.2.4 Documentation of electrical and electronic systems .51

11.2.5 Documentation of earthing and bonding systems .51
11.2.6 Documentation of nacelle cover, hub and tower lightning protection
systems.51
11.3 Site specific information .52
11.4 Documentation to be provided for LPS inspections .52
11.4.1 Visual LPS inspection report.52
11.4.2 Complete LPS inspection report .52
11.5 Manuals .52
12 Inspection of lightning protection system .52
12.1 Scope of inspection .52
12.2 Order of inspections .53
12.2.1 General .53
12.2.2 Inspection during production of the wind turbine .53
12.2.3 Inspection during installation of the wind turbine.53

– 4 – 61400-24 © IEC:2010(E)
12.2.4 Inspection during commissioning of the wind turbine and periodic

inspection.53

12.2.5 Inspection after dismantling or repair of main parts.54

12.3 Maintenance.54

Annex A (informative) The lightning phenomenon in relation to wind turbines .55

Annex B (informative) Lightning exposure assessment .66

Annex C (informative) Protection methods for blades.84

Annex D (informative) Test specifications .96

Annex E (informative) Application of lightning protection zones (LPZ) concept at a

wind turbine .
...