With so many machines and our lives relying on technology, reliability in the power sources that power these technologies is critical. Companies can invest in UPSes to ensure that power is reliable, however to guarantee the reliability of these power sources, load banks are equally important to have.
What Is A Load Bank?
Load banks are primarily used for testing various power sources. It’s devices like these that ensure UPSes and diesel generators provide the required amount of power when they are needed. Companies can do a wide variety of tests through load banks, allowing them to test under different conditions.
A load bank is a self-contained device that stores the load elements, while controlling and cooling the systems that it needs to operate. When power is put into the load bank, it consumes it by applying it to a source and converting or dissipating the source’s power output.
After that, the energy that it produced is used to protect, support, or test a power source while a “real” load uses energy output productively.
What Purpose Does A Load Bank Provide?
Load banks are in place to ensure the emergency power sources are providing quality power and are reliable. They verify the precise output of the generators through various loads that replicate real-world use.
A load bank is crucial for any owner of a generator – especially when backup power is needed. Consistent testing ensures that generators remain operational and can produce the power necessary if backup power is needed. Many facilities require load tests to their backup power sources too.
What Does A Load Bank Do?
It measures power from emergency sources before the power source is needed. A functional load bank will act as a copy of the real load from a specific power source and will provide accurate measures of the energy output in various scenarios.
Why Is A Load Bank Needed?
Load banks are crucial for testing, but to understand how important they are, here are some examples to keep in mind that show why they’re needed.
- In data centers, billions of devices are connected to the cloud and rely on immense computational infrastructure. Row after row of electrical cabinets are filled with multiple servers. Those servers generate heat; therefore, cooling systems are needed. Those same cooling systems also need electricity on a massive scale to keep this operational. A UPS provides power for backup and ensures critical systems remain functional.
- In solar PV power plants, grid emulation through generators as well as load banks provide valuable information on grid-worthiness of inverters and electrical connection. Grid emulation and load banks can also be used to determine whether the circuit is prepared to join the power grid.
- In maritime project maintenance work, demand is high for electrical systems. This makes sense when projects can be situated tens to thousands of miles away from port, and having testing equipment to verify power reliability is needed.
