Let the Lightning Key Data System give you the answers after a lightning strike – and eliminate unnecessary inspections

A wrong decision can often prove extremely costly
The Lightning Key Data System (LKDS) provides remote access to valuable information about the impact of an individual lightning strike on the turbine affected.

Knowing the exact time of the strike, the current value, the specific energy, the charge and the pulse transition time puts you in a position to make correct decisions quickly.

Above all, you can determine directly whether the wind turbine can continue operating safely, or whether you need to stop it for immediate inspection.

Moreover, the accumulated impact on the wind turbine’s Lightning Protection System (LPS) helps define the residual service life of wearing parts including blade receptors, spark loss, sliding switches, etc. This allows you to optimise inspections and replacements, leading to lower OPEX.

You also avoid unnecessary shutdowns and the expenses associated with them - largely in the form of transport costs, service fees and lost production.

At the same time, the system helps you identify early signs of damage in blades and electronic components in time to prevent disastrous consequences.

The Lightning Key Data System supplies the following key information:

Current value [kA]
The maximum value of the lightning current measured in kiloamperes. The current value is an indication of the electromagnetic forces, which can mechanically tear components apart.

Specific energy [MJ/Ω]
The action integral of the lightning current identifies the potential heating of insufficient connection components. The specific energy is one of the key parameters in defining how powerful the lightning strike was.

Charge [C]
The charge is the time integral of the current, which is also calculated for the full curve shape. Charge erodes the surfaces of the lightning receptors, and in every transfer system that involves rotating parts or other non-bolted connections.

Fastest pulse transition time [kA/μs]
The pulse transition time expresses how quickly the lightning current changes. This figure provides valuable information for troubleshooting that involves electromagnetic interference (EMI).

See the whole picture
The Lightning Key Data System logs the lightning strike for 1.5 seconds on each of the three blades. This ensures that the entire lightning incident is measured, allowing accurate calculation of the four key parameters.

The structure of the system makes it possible to measure four consecutive 1.5‑second intervals on each blade so as to ensure that no aspect of the lightning strike is lost in the data processing.

The data are available via a standard Ethernet communication or a mobile phone connection, either in the form of the four key parameters as numerical values, or as a complete data package containing the entire curve shape.

All data from the 300 most recent lightning strikes are stored internally in the system.

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Lightning Key Data® System

Kenneth Iversen
Business Development Director
+45 41 99 90 51

Torsten F. Pedersen
Head of Aftermarket
+45 41 99 85 43

Bent Berg Petersen
Project Manager, Aftermarket
+45 41 99 82 78