Before carrying out any of the below checks, please ensure that you can do so safely. It is also worth reviewing your turbine manual for safety and inspection guidance.

If there is any concern at carrying out the below suggestions, please instead contact your maintenance provider to carry out the necessary checks. We recommend an annual service as a minimum to help prolong the life and improve performance of your turbine.

1. Tower:
If there is a visible sway to the turbine or vibration this will need to be investigated to ensure it is properly secured. If the earth cable connected to the tower has become frayed or broken you should notify your maintenance provider as this is your turbine’s protection from lightning strikes.

2. Foundations:
Cracks in the foundation can cause serious problems, particularly in the colder months with rapid changes in temperature and the potential for water to enter and freeze, thereby expanding the crack.
Small cracks can be rectified quickly with cement sealer but they will need to be monitored for further wear and tear. Larger cracks will need to be attended by your maintenance provider to ensure the foundation is not compromised.

3. Base bolts:
As well as checking the foundations, the base bolts should be checked at the same time. If there are bolts missing or broken, this will need to be rectified before the turbine becomes too unstable. In addition to a visual inspection, a firm tap on the nut and washer with a hammer can indicate if bolts are loose or broken.

4. Loose Parts:
If you find any parts in the vicinity of the turbine this should be reported i.e. slew pads, nuts/bolts or any other relevant parts of the turbine.

5. Blades:
Blades can be difficult to inspect, until the turbine is topped or lowered. If there are any noticeable marks on the blade this may reduce performance. Black streaks of grease running from the blades is an indicator of blade bearings failing. This should be reported as soon as possible to your maintenance provider to reduce the overall damage caused.

6. Electrical Components:
We do not recommend working on your invertor system unless you have the necessary expertise as it is a high voltage system and can be extremely dangerous. However, some basic checks can be carried out safely under remote guidance i.e. the controller unit can be checked for damage, if it is running very hot, this is of immediate concern and should be reported.
If the generation meter has a steady continuous light, this is an indication of loss of grid and will require attendance. If any high temperatures or a smell of burning is noted, you should report this to your service provider immediately.

If you have any concerns about the performance of your turbine, please get in touch with us.