Load banks can be explained easily, regardless of the complexities that are often involved in the manufacturing through to its practical application. A load bank is a device that's sole purpose is to create an electrical load that it applies to a chosen electrical power source. Once the load has been applied, the load bank will also convert or dissipate the resultant power output of the source.

The purpose of the load bank is to mimic normal operating conditions, that a power source will see when being used day-to-day. In a controlled fashion, where the load is in control of the user.

The purpose of load banks varies. From testing power generators and analysing its response to a specific load. This allows for calibrations and adjustments to allow a precise load to be calculated. Also, regular testing is another key area of where load banks are used. This involves the regular testing of standby generators to ensure their reliability on a long term basis. Allowing for regular maintenance to ensure the generators are comfortable under certain loads.

Getting down to its practical every-day use, load banks are similar to generators in the sense that they are available as portable, or stationary load banks that can be installed on-site. There are also several different types of load banks, that have different applications and uses, here's a brief overview of the different types.

Reactive Load Bank

Resistive and inductive load banks are the most common of the two main types of load banks. This involves a 'reactive' load that includes inductive and or capacitive loads. The inductive load is know as the lagging power factor and the capacitive load as the leading power factor.

Inductive loads consists of iron-core reactive elements that when used in conjunction with a resistive load bank, can create a lagging power factor load. Inductive loads can be used to simulate real life commercial loads that can include heating, transformers, motors and lighting etc...

Capacitive Load Bank

Capacitive load banks are similar to reactive load banks, but the separating factor is that the leading power factor loads are created. The loads can simulate specific electronic and non-linear loads typical of telecommunications industries.

Capacitive load banks can also used in parallel with resistive load banks in order to obtain leading power factor.

Load Bank Applications

Load banks, as previously touched upon, have many different kinds of applications within a large number of industries.

From simply testing newly installed diesel generators and turbines to checking equipment regularly as part of maintenance work. Newly assembled standby units will require checking to ensure they are suitable and functional. To complete power system testing to prevent the future risk of power failures or any other kind of problem to the generators.

They are also used to help eliminate wet stacking. This occurs when a diesel generator is combined with a load bank in order to apply the additional load required. This ensures the engine is able to consume the fuel during the combustion process. When an engine is not operating under enough load, the unconsumed fuel can build up in the engines exhaust and leave an oily coating.