How Does Generator Load Bank Testing Work?

The generator load banks are devices designed to supply electrical charges in order to test electrical power supplies. They simulate variable conditions of electrical charge that can be controlled, measured and recorded accurately. The objective of load bank devices is to test the power protection system (and components) under load conditions but without risk of supply to protected loads.

The load bank test is an essential component of the generator tests, from the initial performance tests of the new generators to the periodic quality controls of the existing generators, or the start-up of highly sensitive climate facilities. such as data centers.

Companies spend valuable resources hiring third-party companies to carry out load bank tests often because they do not have the equipment. The test of the load bank is an operation that companies cannot ignore, however, many have difficulties to meet the requirements of the tests. For existing generators, in particular, state and local operating codes require periodic testing of the load bank.

Load Bank Test

Generator load bank test allows you to put all your equipment to test and allows any problems to be treated at the right time. This is the ideal way to be certain that your standby generator will operate at full capacity. Without regular testing, when your business is running at full speed, using the maximum amount of electricity, it is likely that this is when your equipment will fail – when you want it the least!

The regular load bank test provides this assurance. Regular testing is the only way you can make sure that your electrical system will work as indicated when you need it most. To prevent equipment failure in emergency situations, experts recommend a simple and affordable annual performance test while utilizing a resistive load bank to bring the generator system to full capacity.

During the test, the equipment is brought up to a maximum level of operating temperatures and the application of a gradually increasing electrical charge in an excellent way of removing carbon and dirt from the cylinder head, and the exhaust systems of the generator engines that were used at a level less than full loads.

To ensure that the end object of an uninterruptible power supply is properly fulfilled, tests must be carried out to evaluate the different operating parameters and the results obtained, they must comply with the values ​​that the manufacturer offers and that are found in the technical specifications of the equipment.

The load test is a method to comprehensively evaluate all the subsystems that make up the UPS (rectifier/PFC, booster, inverter, etc.), this test consists of the equipment supplying constant electrical power and with a percentage of voltage distortion within the parameters defined by the manufacturer, both in normal mode and in battery mode with different load or consumption values.