The renewable energy industry is on the rise, registering an impressive 8.9% growth between 2016 and 2020. According to Business Wire, the global industry raked $692 billion in revenue in 2020.
Considering the average wind turbine uses about 25,000 fasteners, including at least 6,000 bolts, that means you need robust and reliable tools to get all that work done. That’s where torque wrenches come in.
Torque wrenches work a treat in tightening nuts and bolts to a set torque value. They are precision tools that guarantee quality and reliable tightening. These tools are essential because they help prevent breakage or deterioration on clamping parts.
This article examines the numerous torque wrench uses in both the solar and wind energy spaces.
Uses in the Wind Energy Industry
A wind turbine can have over 6,000 bolts, each under a specific bolt torque tension, with variations as high as ± 40%. You can use various tools for installation and maintenance, but torque wrenches are the best of the bunch. Here’s why:
Controlled Bolting
Controlled bolting occurs when you apply a specific torque or load to a bolt to meet the installations specifications.
You can use torque wrenches to measure these bolt loads and apply the required torque. A torque wrench applies a rotational force onto nuts to stretch bolts
and help them achieve bolt load.
What’s more, the torque wrenches can tighten the bolts at angles as extensive as 120°. That way, you won’t have to rely on someone’s eye to set a given bolt at an angle.
Hydraulic torque wrenches, when combined with specialty-designed torque pumps, can generate the torque load necessary to safeguard bolted-joint integrity.
Ensuring Safety and Better Performance
There are numerous torque wrench uses in this industry, but few are as important as safety and improved performance. The new features of modern-day torque wrenches have helped set higher safety and performance standards.
For example, the work-at-height, built-in tether connection feature you’ll find in many torque wrench products prevents unwanted accidents and injuries.
On the other hand, the fully-enclosed square drive features to protect the user’s hands from moving parts. In addition, the slim designs and optimized weight-to-output ratios prevent user fatigue.
Uses in the Solar Energy Industry
Under torqued bolts and nuts are the chief cause of mechanical and electrical failures in solar panels.
Thankfully, they’re also the most straightforward complications to prevent, as a good torque wrench should resolve the issue.
Fastening to the Correct Torque
The manufacturers give the torque values you need to use for the fasteners required to mount a solar system. A torque wrench will also help ensure you tighten the fasteners to the correct torque to avoid future mechanical and electrical complications
In addition, a torque wrench can help with pre-tensioning the nuts and bolts used in the
installation.
Final Word
There are many torque wrenches uses in the renewable energy space. However, what you see above is just but a few of them. Industry players primarily utilize wind and solar energy industries to ensure joint integrity and get work done quickly.
That said, these are high-precision tools that need re-calibration as often if you are to get the best out of them.
A high-quality torque wrench could help determine how long your solar panel system or wind turbine lasts. Torque wrenches are an indispensable tool in the renewable energy space.
To purchase or rent new torque wrenches or get your current wrenches calibrated please contact MaxPro.
