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Old 9th Dec 2011, 09:13
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mad_jock
 
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Fernietickles the wind turbines have an operating range which because they are constant speed is linked to how much the prop can swivel.

Once it goes over a certain wind speed they brake them and feather the blades There is still some force on the blades. If this is enough to turn them against the brake the whole lot goes up in flames, just the same as would happen if you headed off down the motorway with the handbrake on.

Its actually pretty dangerous. Those turbine blades are that heavy and the fire will take all the supporting bearings out and its very possible the whole of the front will come off.

Although that one looks as if its been swiveled and is getting the wind up the chuff which will reverse the direction of rotation which is really a bad idea for most of the components.
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