Turbine components: cables

What cable standards apply to wind turbines?

As the power industry has evolved with increased use of renewable-energy, so have wind-cable industry standards and the types of cables manufactured to meet the requirements of wind applications.  The first available wind-cable solutions represented innovative and customized designs to meet performance requirements for increased flexibility and resistance to high-torsion stress, vibration, oils and abrasion.

As the renewable-energy market matures, industry standards organizations are recognizing traditional cables that provide the same long-term performance and reliability as R&D intensive, application-specific, wind-cable constructions.

Early solutions were often regionalized into North America (NA) from IEC designs due to the lack of NA wire and cable standards to support a predominant European wind-turbine manufacturing and design base. For instance, wind turbine OEMs specified cross-linked 90°C rated cables for multi-conductor jacketed power-cable applications supplying auxiliary power within the nacelle. The cables selected were aligned with classifications for power cable (IEC 60502-1 or UL 44) or rubber cord (HD 22.12 or UL 62), carrying different flame ratings. An alternative class of traditional cable insulation found within NA standards (UL 83) known as Type THHN/THWN (PVC/Nylon) offers the same 90°C temperature rating and the higher wet rating available with cross-linked power cable classifications.  Only single layer coverings of PVC rated up to 70°C are covered within IEC 60502-1 making this option inadequate for the application.

Currently, both copper and aluminum alloy conductors with thermoset and thermoplastic insulation are generally accepted for wind-turbine applications. But cable guidelines and standardization for renewable-energy applications are improving. Industry standards organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) are recognizing wind-farm cables in publish codes and standards guidelines.