LOAD
BANKS

Powr-Rod
Load
Element

Branch
Circuit Fuse
Protection
 

Powr-Rod Load Element

Simplex LBD-Series Load Banks utilize the UL Recognized “Pow’r Rod” Load Element (totally enclosed, sealed and weatherproof). Considerations of personnel safety and equipment durability dictate the use of totally enclosed load elements in a radiator airflow cooled Load Bank. In this application the Load Bank is installed in front of the engine radiator where the load elements are visible and within reach of personnel and exposed to the weather. The elements will be subject to mechanical stresses and airborne contamination by the radiator air blast. The “Pow’r Rod” element consists of a nickel-chromium resistance wire electrically insulated and sealed within a metallic sheath. Since the element is electrically dead on the outside, it reduces the hazard of electric shock to personnel and eliminates the danger of short circuit of the elements by foreign object penetration. The element is unaffected by rain and by airborne dirt and oil. Since the element is essentially a solid metallic tube, it is extremely rugged and will not fatigue from engine or air-blast vibrations and will not sag or stretch if overheated. The element sheath material is "incolloy," a rustproof nickel alloy with a very high temperature rating (1600°F). The element does not require a cool-down period.
 

Branch Circuit FusesBranch Circuit Fuse Protection

Load Banks must have branch circuit fuse protection of the load elements. A Load Bank without fuse protection as defined in the NEC is a safety and fire hazard.

All Simplex Load Banks are built-up in fused branch circuits of not more than 70A each. All wiring and devices within the branch circuit are rated in accordance with the fuse rating.
Simplex virtually eliminates the danger of short circuit of the load elements and consequent catastrophic damage to the Load Bank and the installation, through the use of discrete branch circuit fusing of the load elements

Fuse protection scheme per NEC 110-9, 110-10, 230-98

UL Listed Class-T, CSA HRC-1 Fuses

200,000 A.I.C. current limiting

Single element, very fast acting

Discrete circuit design, 70A maximum per fuse
 
   “POW’R ROD” FEATURES
 
Totally enclosed element, eliminates shock hazard

Sealed, unaffected by weather and airborne oil/dirt

Rugged metallic housing unaffected by vibration

Requires no cool down

Long life, rustproof

UL Recognized Component
 
 

SIMPLEX “POW’R ROD” vs. OPEN-WIRE ELEMENTS

“POW’R ROD”

OPEN-WIRE ELEMENTS
Totally enclosed conductor, eliminates shock hazard. Exposed conductor, a shock hazard to bystanders, curious children.
Totally enclosed conductor, eliminates short circuit hazard. Exposed conductor can be short circuited by foreign objects or by the breakage of an adjacent element.
Totally enclosed design, elements unaffected by adjacent elements. Open design elements can short to adjacent elements if proper spacing not maintained. Concerns with engine vibration, overheating, fatigue.
Sealed design is weatherproof. Open design requires external weatherproofing, should not get wet.
Rugged metallic sheath unaffected by engine and air blast vibrations. Ideal for portable gensets. Delicate design using fragile ceramic insulators and bushings subject to breakage.
High temperature design with great over temperature tolerance retains mechanical integrity when overheated. Open wire designs deform and stretch when subject to overheating.
Enclosed conductor is protected from airborne oil and crud. Any contaminants in the airflow can accumulate on the open wire coils causing hot spots, corrosion, short circuits.
 
 

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Simplex Inc., 5300 Rising Moon Road, Springfield, IL 62711-6228
800-637-8603 • 217-483-1600 (24 Hr.) • FAX 217-483-1616