Applications

Load Banks are used with Engine Generators, Battery Systems, UPS Systems, Inverters, Ground Power Units, Auxiliary Power Units, Aircraft Power Generators, Wind Generators, and Hydro Generators. Load Banks are used to test, prove and maintain AC or DC generators and power supplies.

Purpose

Test - Test Load Banks are precision testing instruments which apply discrete, selectable electrical load to a power generator while measuring the response of the generator to the applied load. Measurements of response stability and endurance can be made and corresponding calibrations and adjustment can be effected while a precise load is maintained on the power source.

Exercise - Exercise Load Banks assure the long term reliability and readiness of standby generators by providing a means for routine maintenance exercise of the generator under load. Exercise Load Banks eliminate the detrimental effects of unloaded operation of diesel engine generators.

Demonstration - A sophisticated engineering tool for demonstrating product performance and capability to buyers and users and for fulfilling contractual performance specifications

Type

Resistive - Dissipates energy output of generator and prime mover as heat. Unity power factor loading of generator. KVA load applied to generator equals KW load applied to prime mover. Provides equivalent of commercial lighting, heating loads

Inductive - Used in parallel with resistive Load Bank to obtain lagging power factor, increase KVA load on generator; does not increase KW load on prime mover. Provides equivalent of commercial motor, transformer loads

Capacitive - Used in parallel with resistive Load Bank to obtain leading power factor, increases KVA load on generator; does not increase KW load on prime mover. Provides equivalent of commercial electronic, fluorescent light loads

Capacity

Single Block - Entire capacity of Load Bank applied, on/off, in one step increment
Multiple Steps - Load Bank capacity is divided into discrete increments for application in steps; defined in terms of load step resolution, which is the smallest step increment of load control. Steps can be coarse (50%, 33%, 25%) or fine (5KW, 1KW)

Single Voltage - Designed for a specific voltage, typical of exercise Load Banks to 15KV.
Multiple Voltage - Capable of dual or quad voltages. Typical of test systems. (Typical voltages—60HZ: 120/240, 208-240, 416-480; 50HZ: 190-220, 380-420; DC: 12-60, 125, 250) to 15KV.

Single Frequency - Designed for a specific frequency
Multiple Frequency - Capable of multiple frequency or AC/DC operation (Typical frequencies: 50-60-400HZ, DC)

Cooling

Natural Convection Air - 20 KW Maximum
Integral Fan - Cooling fan included in Load Bank; up to 3000 KW.
Radiator Airflow - Load Bank installed in radiator fan airflow; up to 1000 KW
Water - Cooling via heat transfer to water flow; water does not conduct electrical current. Open flow using commercial/natural water or closed loop using heat exchanger up to 1200 KW.

Enclosure

Portable - For factory, shop, field use, self-contained
Stationary - For permanent installation at a specific site
Duct Mounting - For permanent installation in radiator airflow
Indoor - NEMA-1 enclosures
Outdoor - NEMA-3R enclosures

Control

Local - Control panel self-contained in Load Bank
Remote - Control panel for remote operation
Automatic - Wide variety of auto control available including auto on-off, auto load regulation, KW or reverse power response, computer control

Connection

Cable Set - Connection cable included with Load Bank. Typical of portable units
Terminal Block - Power terminals for connection of building cables. Typical of stationary and duct mounted units.
Plugs - To match commercial wiring devices, aircraft plugs, MIL-SPEC plugs, cam-lock connections.

Features

Short Circuit Protection - Load element branch circuit fuse or circuit breaker protection
System Protection - Protected against running failures (fan fail, over temperature, over voltage, etc.)
Control - Self-contained load control devices (contactors, relays, circuit breakers)
Handling - Forklift channels, lifting eyes, casters on portable units.
Instrumentation - Full instrumentation available: analog or digital; data acquisition systems
Options - Many options available