# Wind farms - why are so many turbines always stopped?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-farms-why-are-so-many-turbines-always-stopped/457932>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 28, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-farms-why-are-so-many-turbines-always-stopped/457932 "2008-07-28T17:01:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-farms-why-are-so-many-turbines-always-stopped/457932/41 "2008-07-29T17:46:17Z")

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[QUOTE=lieu]  
I just called someone who both installs them and has a number of them on his ranch.  
[/QUOTE]

Thanks, **lieu**! 🆒

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**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-farms-why-are-so-many-turbines-always-stopped/457932/42 "2008-07-29T17:51:44Z")

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[QUOTE=Unix Geek]  
Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs has all the answers. Like how does a copperhead get into the top of a turbine.  
[/QUOTE]  
And what is it eating up there? Are rodents making nests up there, only to have to run all the way down to get out and feed?

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-farms-why-are-so-many-turbines-always-stopped/457932/43 "2008-07-29T18:00:15Z")

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[QUOTE=Unix Geek]  
Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs has all the answers. Like how does a copperhead get into the top of a turbine. The Oklahoma Wind Farm Technician episode will replay on August 19th at 9:00PM Eastern on the Discovery Channel.  
[/QUOTE]

I saw that one. It only had some of the answers.

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**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-farms-why-are-so-many-turbines-always-stopped/457932/44 "2008-07-29T20:18:24Z")

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[QUOTE=lieu]  
I just called someone who both installs them and has a number of them on his ranch. He mentions three things that’ll cause some to be shut in; the transmission line capacity, that a computer shuts them down immediately when something is amiss (breakdown) and that there’s an appreciable amount of routine maintenance required. Collectively, it probably should be common to see 5 to 10% shut in at any given time.  
[/QUOTE]

You’re my hero of the day.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wind-farms-why-are-so-many-turbines-always-stopped/457932/45 "2008-07-29T20:19:41Z")

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Awesome.

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