LOad Bank - FAQs

The load bank applies an electrical load to the power source and dissipates the resulting electrical energy through resistive elements as heat. The resistive elements are cooled with motorised fans within the load bank construction.

The resistive load bank consist of only resistive loads (resistors). The resistive load bank will provide a unity power factor (PF) load to the system. By resistive load bank we can test generator up to 80% load of the rated load of gen-set.

The inductive load banks add inductance to the load and therefore reduce the PF to less than unity (typically 0.8 on diesel gen-sets). An inductive load bank is normally used in conjunction with a resistive unit to provide a lagging power factor load test. This provides the capability to test the generator set fully at 100% nameplate kVA rating. Inductive load banks are rated in kilovolt-amperes reactive (kVAr).

Capacitive load banks incorporate industrial capacitors and increase the PF to above unity (leading). A capacitive load bank is normally used in conjunction with a resistive unit to provide a leading power factor load test. Capacitive load banks are rated in kilovolt-amperes reactive (kVAr).

Combined load banks incorporate resistors and inductors all in a single construction which can be independently switched to allow resistive only, inductive only, or varying lagging power factor testing. By using combined load bank the generator set can be test fully at 100% nameplate kVA rating. Combined load banks are rated in kilovolt-amperes (kVA). It’s worth noting that combined load banks can consist of resistive, inductive, and capacitive (RLC) also.

Regenerative braking is the process of opposing inertial load by converting kinetic energy to electricity. Regenerative braking is essential for generator powered moving machinery that carries and moves vast weights such as lifts, cranes and hoists.