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Turbine Technician Engineering tasks

There may be a problem with one of the wind turbines - it doesn't seem to be running as efficiently as it should be. Students are guided through calculating the turbine's efficiency to confirm whether or not there is a problem. They are then asked to diagnose the fault by performing a series of tests.

After completing this activity students will:

• Know the main parts of a wind turbine and their functions.
• Understand how readings from a number of different instruments can be used to diagnose a fault.
• Know that current x voltage = power
• Understand the relationship between the kinetic energy of the wind passing through the turbine's rotors and the amount of electrical power it can generate.

Answers for Engineering challenge: Turbine Technician

Note: Students can get help by clicking on  or going to the Help manual.

A: The turbine’s output power:

• Choose the first calculation (Power (watts)…).
• Connect the probes to neutral and earth or earth and live (not neutral and live).

B: How much power is in the wind?:

• Choose the third calculation (Kinetic energy…).

C: Calculating the turbine’s efficiency:

• Choose the second calculation (electrical energy…).

Is there a problem you would like to investigate:

• Choose Yes

Diagnostic system:

Work through all the faults in order. The problem is detected by the magnetic field sensors, and is confirmed by the visual inspection.