BS EN 61400-13:2016

What is BS EN 61400-13-Measurement of mechanical load in wind turbines about?

The BS EN 61400 series is a European standard that covers various aspects such as design, development, installation-related requirements of wind turbines.

BS EN 61400-13 is one of the parts of a series of documents that describes the measurement of fundamental structural loads on wind turbines for the purpose of the load simulation model validation. The standard prescribes the requirements and recommendations for site selection, signal selection, data acquisition, calibration, data verification, measurement load cases, capture matrix, post-processing, uncertainty determination, and reporting. Informative annexes are also provided to improve understanding of testing methods.

The methods described in BS EN 61400-13 can also be used for mechanical loads measurements for other purposes such as obtaining a measured statistical representation of loads, direct measurements of the design loads, safety and function testing, or measurement of component loads. If these methods are used for an alternative objective or used for an unconventional wind turbine design, the required signals, measurement load cases, capture matrix, and post-processing methods should be evaluated and if needed adjusted to fit the objective.

Who is BS EN 61400-13-Measurement of mechanical load in wind turbines for?

BS EN 61400-13 on wind turbines is applicable to:

• Wind energy generation systems
• Wind power stations
• Transmission system operators (TSOs)
• Distribution system operators (DSOs)
• Environmental research bodies
• Certification and regulatory bodies

Why should you use BS EN 61400-13-Measurement of mechanical load in wind turbines?

In the process of the structural design of a wind turbine, a thorough understanding about, and

accurate quantification of the loading is of utmost importance.

Guidance in BS EN 61400-13 provides you with the measurement of fundamental structural loads on wind turbines for the purpose of the load simulation model validation and provides requirements and recommendations for site selection, signal selection, data acquisition, calibration, data verification, measurement load cases, capture matrix, post-processing, uncertainty determination and reporting.

Adopting BS EN 61400-13 helps you to clearly define the minimum requirements for a mechanical loads test resulting in the consistent, high-quality reproducible test result and performance.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 61400-13:2016 supersedes DD IEC TS 61400-13:2001 which is withdrawn. BS EN 61400-13:2016 includes some technical changes with respect to DD IEC TS 61400-13:2001. These include.

• Scope of the document focused to load measurements for the purpose of model validation
• Number of measurement load cases to match the new scope reduced
• Capture matrix requirements to match the new scope reduced
• Requirements to address the state of the art technology updated