Electrical protection of wiring with cable glands for wind turbines
A wind turbine is an electrical device that transforms the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. The blades of a wind turbine rotate between 13 and 20 revolutions per minute and the rotor exerts power and increases the revolutions per minute. This energy is led to an internal generator, which produces electricity.
The wind turbines that make up these wind farms are highly complex machines and must be continually exposed to inclement weather. To protect and guarantee correct operation, its manufacturers approve and include in their designs parts of the highest quality, such as, for example, the cable glands for wind turbines.
The last step is evacuation, which is known as the processing and distribution of the generator's energy to a nearby substation, which will be responsible for raising the voltage and including it in the electrical grid, so that it is available at the consumption points.
Electrical protection elements and cable glands for wind turbines
Some of the electrical wiring protection systems that we can find in wind turbines are:
–Polyamide 6 flexible corrugated tubes
–TWINFLEX Polyamide 6 corrugated tubes
–Plastic fittings for flexible tubes
–Protective insulated toe caps
Our tubes, fittings and cable glands for wind turbines They have many mechanical and chemical properties, all obtained thanks to the use of excellent raw materials and a robust and simple design. There are several features that we recommend to wind turbine manufacturers and that they recognize as vital to the performance of wiring protection elements:
- UV resistance: As it is equipment permanently exposed outdoors, it must coexist with ultraviolet rays and their effects.
- Anti-corrosion: Wind turbines need special attention and are regularly undergoing inspections and maintenance processes inside. Our flexible tubes and glands are prepared to withstand liquids and oils with high chemical demands.
- IP68 waterproofing: Our plastic and metal cable glands are available in IP68 versions that guarantee total protection of wiring against liquids, dust and other solid agents that may appear, thus ensuring optimal operation of the equipment.
Fleximat has supplied cable glands for wind turbines, flexible polyamide tubes and other wiring protection elements for different sectors, for more than 20 years and the main companies in the market trust our solutions for their most demanding projects.
Wind energy in Spain
In 2020, nuclear energy generated 22.2% of the electricity consumed in Spain, just ahead of the 21.9% corresponding to wind energy. Spain is now the fifth country, worldwide, with the most installed wind power, only behind China, the United States, Germany and India.
Currently in Spain we find around 1,300 wind farms, which are located in 800 different municipalities and all of them generate a power that amounts to 27,446 MW.
More than 30,000 jobs in Spain belong to the wind sector and the trend continues to increase. Companies like Iberdrola are aware of renewable energies and are committed to the continued creation of wind turbine parks in Spain, whether on-shore (on the peninsula) or off-shore (marine). At the end of January 2021, Iberdrola announced the construction of what will be the largest wind farm in Spain with 300MW of power, in Salamanca. It will surpass the current Andévalo park in Huelva, which produces 292MW. The budget of the operation is estimated at 228 million euros for the construction of the park and 50 million euros for the electrical network infrastructure.
If you would like more information about our electrical wiring protection products, such as cable glands for wind turbines, Feel free to contact us.
