Pelton turbines are medium to high head free jet impulse turbines. The jet(s) strike the splitter edge of the double bucket and is turned through an angle of nearly 180 degrees before falling under gravity into the discharge channel or tailrace.

Gilkes Pelton turbines are supplied as horizontal single and twin jet units or vertical 3, 4 or 6 jet units.

The Pelton Wheel is a high head, free jet impulse turbine.

Efficiency
As an impulse turbine, the Pelton Wheel maintains high efficiency over a wide flow range. Twin or multi-jet units are specified to increase the flow range over which high turbine efficiencies can be obtained. The efficiency curves given here illustrate this point.

Design for purpose
It is possible to use one size of Pelton bucket on a range of different mean diameters. By this means the turbine can be designed to operate at maximum possible efficiency for any given set of site conditions.

Advantages of the Gilkes Pelton turbine
1. It can operate on silt laden water with the minimum of wear. When wear does
occur the spear tip, nozzle and deflector plate can be easily repaired and, after
longer periods, the runner can be repaired by welding. All working parts are 
easily accessible through a detachable top cover.

2. Speed-load control is usually carried out by the deflector, which ensures no
pipeline surge even on full load rejection. When water economy is important,
the deflector speed control can be augmented by follow-up closure of the spear.

3. There is no danger of cavitation damage to the runner or casing.