The three drive-train components that fail most frequently are the main bearings, gearboxes, and generators. All are lubricated, yet oil analysis focuses only on the gearbox. Keep in mind that a wind-turbine gearbox is a box with gears, bearings, and oil. So what’s to fail? Gears, bearings, and of course, the oil. Two techniques in…

Standard wind turbine gearbox warranties generally last two to three years, and when they expire, operations and maintenance professionals become responsible for keeping the turbines running for the remainder of their service lives. Considering that the average wind turbine is expected to operate for up to 20 years, maintenance professionals are challenged to maximize equipment…