Lightning protection of blades is important for the safe operation of wind turbines. In order to study the lightning attachment characteristic of blades

we proposed a method of electrostatic simulation to determine the lightning initial attachment zones by analyzing the development mechanism of the line lightning leader. Meanwhile

we established a full-size model of a blade and downward leader to investigate the lightning attachment characteristic by 3D electromagnetic simulation based on a method of finite element

and analyzed the configuration of receptors as well as the size and number of receptors on the effect of interception. Finally

we obtained the probability of the lightning strike during the rotation of blades. The research results show that the tip of a blade is more likely to be stroke. So it is suggested to place receptors as close as possible to the tip. The interception is more effective when the cross-section area of a single receptor is in accordance with the minimum value 50 mm2 recommended in IEC 61400-24: 2010. The improvement of the effect of interception by enlarging the cross section area of the receptors or increasing the number of the receptors is limited. The blade is prone to being struck by lightning when the rotation angle α is less than 45 degree. With the increase of the rotation angle

the probability of lightning strike is gradually reduced. When the rotation angle α is equal to 60 degree

the probability of lightning strike is the lowest. The research achievement in this paper can provide meaningful reference to the lightning electromagnetic pulse characteristics of wind turbines