ProLEC FO
Raycap ProLEC FO is a monitoring system that detects direct lightning strikes to the lightning protection system (LPS) of wind turbines and sends an alarm. It consists of two units: a sensor and an optical-electrical converter (OEC); communication between them is via fiber optic cable — ensuring full high-voltage insulation. It detects strikes above 2 kA and withstands up to 100 kA. It helps optimize turbine operation and maintenance processes.
Wind turbines are among the structures most susceptible to direct lightning strikes due to their height and location. After a strike, invisible damage can occur in the blades, hub, and components within the nacelle. Stopping and inspecting the turbine preventively is costly; continuing operation without inspection is risky. To make informed decisions, it is essential to know if a strike has actually occurred.
ProLEC FO addresses this exact need: it detects direct strikes to the wind turbine's lightning protection system (LPS) and sends an alarm. The system helps optimize operation and maintenance (O&M) procedures — the maintenance team only attends to turbines that have actually been struck.
The system consists of two units:
- ProLEC FO Sensor — Mounted on the down-conductor. Detects lightning current. Detects strikes with amplitudes above 2 kA; withstands Iimp/In values up to 100 kA.
- ProLEC OEC (Optical-Electrical Converter) — Converts the optical signal from the sensor into an electrical signal and transmits data to an external device via a simple signaling protocol. The user's equipment receives alarms transmitted by the OEC.
The connection between the two units is established via a fiber optic cable. This design choice is critical: while a 100 kA lightning current passes through the down-conductor, a copper signal cable would destroy the monitoring electronics. The fiber optic line is completely electrically isolated — providing high-voltage insulation. A fiber optic cable, usable up to 20 m, is supplied with the system.
The sensor operates with a replaceable 3.6 V (D cell) battery; typical battery life is 3 years. With IP 67 protection class and an aluminum die-cast (GD-Al Si 12) housing, it is suitable for harsh conditions outside the turbine/inside the nacelle. The operating temperature is -40 °C … +55 °C.
The products comply with EN 61326-1, EN 60068-2, and IEC 62561-6 standards; they are in Type I and Type II EN/IEC categories. RoHS and CE certified.
- Detects direct strikes to the wind turbine lightning protection system (LPS)
- Detects lightning strikes with amplitudes above 2 kA
- Iimp / In withstand up to 100 kA
- Simple and easy installation
- Insulated fiber optic communication — 20 m optical cable included
- High-voltage insulation
- Two-unit structure: Sensor + Optical-Electrical Converter (OEC)
- Data transmission to external device via simple signaling protocol
- Replaceable battery — 3.6 V (D cell), typical 3-year life
- Optimization of operation and maintenance (O&M) processes
- Sensor protection class: IP 67
- Sensor housing: GD-Al Si 12 aluminum die-cast (DIN 1725)
- Operating temperature: -40 °C … +55 °C
- Standards: EN 61326-1, EN 60068-2, IEC 62561-6
- EN/IEC category: Type I, Type II
- Certifications: RoHS, CE
ProLEC FO Sensor — Technical data
| ProLEC FO | |
|---|---|
| System order code | 130 533 |
| Sensor order code | 130 535 |
| ProLEC FO order code | 130 534 |
| Impulse discharge current Iimp | 100 kA |
| Min. impulse discharge current Iimp min | 2 kA |
| Nominal discharge current In | 100 kA |
| Min. nominal discharge current In min | 2 kA |
| Power supply | Replaceable 3.6 V battery (D cell) |
| Battery life | 3 years (typical) |
| Communication | Fiber optic |
| Operating temperature | -40 °C … +55 °C |
| Protection class | IP 67 |
| Housing material | GD-Al Si 12 (DIN 1725) |
| Dimensions | 156 × 119 × 65 mm |
| Weight | 690 g (without battery) / 790 g (with battery) |
ProLEC OEC (Optical-Electrical Converter)
| ProLEC OEC | |
|---|---|
| Order code | 130 537 |
| Power supply | DC 5 – 30 V |
| Communication (to sensor) | Fiber optic |
| Communication (to external device) | According to user manual Appendix A |
| Operating temperature | -40 °C … +55 °C |
| Protection class | IP 20 |
| Housing material | PA (polyamide), V0 (UL94) |
| Dimensions | 124 × 99 × 22.6 mm |
| Weight | 110 g |
| Standard | EN 61326-1 |
| Certification | RoHS, CE |
Fiber Optic Cable
| Fiber Optic Cable | |
|---|---|
| Order code | 130 536 |
| Cable type | 1 mm diameter, standard POF class |
| Attenuation | 0.22 dB/m (typical, -40 °C … +85 °C) |
| Construction | Duplex plastic fiber, black polyethylene jacket |
| Flame rating | Compliant with UL VW-1 flame retardant specification |
| Termination | Unterminated |
| Max. operating length | 20 m |
ProLEC FO is used in structures with a high risk of direct lightning strikes and where post-strike maintenance decisions are required:
- Wind turbines — Direct strike detection to LPS (primary application)
- Wind power plants (WPP) — Site-wide turbine-based monitoring
- Turbine operation and maintenance (O&M) programs — Directing maintenance teams to the correct turbine
- Blade damage pre-detection — Decision-making for post-strike inspection
- Remote and hard-to-access sites — Remote alarm instead of on-site inspection
- Offshore wind farms — Installations with high access costs
- SCADA-integrated facilities — Alarm transmission via OEC
- Points requiring high-voltage insulation — Electronics near down-conductors
- Tall structures and towers — Structures with high probability of direct strikes
- Insurance and warranty processes — Documentation of strike events
- Lightning risk analysis — Collection of site-based actual strike data
- Harsh climatic conditions — -40 °C … +55 °C, IP 67 sensor
