nVent Electric plc (NYSE:NVT) ("nVent"), a global leader in electrical connection and protection solutions, announced the launch of its nVent ERICO Lightning Registration System, which records and instantly reports a strike occurrence and its severity experienced by onshore and offshore wind turbines.

A Better, Faster Way
Currently, most lightning registration systems record the strike on a card that must be sent off-site to a third party for a reading, which can take days or even weeks. The nVent ERICO Lightning Registration System is designed for ultimate ease of use in the field. It features the Lightning Card, Card Holder and Card Reader. The card fits in the holder which attaches to the turbine blade down conductor using ordinary cable ties. The Lightning Card is calibrated to measure up to 300 kiloamps (kA) of current and has its own serial number so data can be associated to specific locations and installation times.

The Card Reader is then used to determine the maximum current to which a card has been exposed. The reader adapts to most smartphones and tablets and interfaces with an nVent app for Apple and Android. Turbine technicians can quickly pull a card from its holder, swipe the card using the reader, and know the magnitude of the peak strike in a matter of seconds, all on site.

"By making lightning registration mobile, nVent is helping wind farm operators prioritize maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) workflows and minimize costs," said Matt Flemming, vice president, nVent ERICO & ERIFLEX.

Extremely Accurate Readings
With the Lightning Registration System, users are assured their data is highly accurate within  ±20 percent of the actual peak strike. By knowing the severity of the strike, maintenance teams can make better informed decisions about turbine upkeep. Consider that 91 percent of all lightning strikes are about 10 kA of current, with more powerful strikes registering 100 kA and above, this data helps users to better understand how much energy the structure and its components may have absorbed.

nVent Electric plc | www.nvent.com