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Generator Load
Bank Testing

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Generator & UPS Load Bank Testing

What is Generator Load Bank Testing?

Generator Load Bank Testing keeps your businesses operations moving with non-intrusive testing.
A load bank is a portable artificial resistive or reactive load that can be connected to your generator or UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

It allows you to perform testing on your power supply equipment at specific load values to test your equipment’s capabilities of handling load.

Standby Generators are tested to their full rated capacity for a defined period of time to validate correct and safe operation of the engine, alternator, auxiliary systems and controls.
This is important for a business as you need to feel confident that in the case of power-loss, your equipment will not fail to accept the load of your site as a whole.
In some instances, this can result in large unexpected costly generator repairs for the asset owner.

Water in fuel contamination can cause issues with combustion and prevent your generator from starting or taking the load. Your diesel also acts as a coolant and lubricant for your engine parts during operation and the water content reduces the lubrication and cooling effect.

This reduced lubrication and cooling effect can cause additional generator component wear, overheating and damage to fuel pumps which are the most expensive component to replace on a diesel engine.
Generator & UPS Load Bank Testing

Why is it better to test a generator or UPS with a full load?

  • Without the full load, the torque demand from the engine is very low due to the lack of alternator loading causing low electromechanical forces on the drive shaft. When a load is applied, a higher torque is required from the engine and this demands more fuel from the supply system. Applying the full load will prove that there are no restrictions to the supply such as clogged filters that can starve the engine and cause shutdown.
  • The lack of load on the alternator cannot prove the integrity of the alternator main, auxiliary windings and associated components such as diodes and AVR. Applying a full load will prove this and also expose any weakness in the cabling and connections. Further, the higher load will also prove airflow through the air supply, exhaust flow and turbocharger.
  • It is likely that the cooling system under no-load operation will not need to operate as a complete loop, which means that the temperature level required to open the thermostat and allow coolant flow through the radiator is not reached. A full load will ensure thermostat operation and enable observation of adequate heat transfer through the radiator. Imperative, because a clogged radiator can be the cause of a mains fail scenario and result in overtemperature shutdown.
Generator & UPS Load Bank Testing

Why is Load Bank Testing better?

One of the benefits of using a loadbank is that you don’t always need to disrupt your operations.
For an emergency generator or standby generator this means that you can perform the load test during business hours without any disruption as the building load is supplied by the mains as usual.

A suitably sized generator will often be rated higher than the building load.
This is to allow for various factor such as transient loading from starting motors and to allow for additional capacity for future circuits to be added. Once these motors have started, the building load on the generator can be very low (<30%) This load is not sufficient enough to put the generator through its paces and test it to full capacity. Using a load bank we can set the desired load to the rating of your generator to ensure that it is tested fully.

Solent Power performing generator load bank testing in Hampshire
It's important to safeguard your operations with regular generator maintenance and testing. Schedule a visit from Solent Power, today.
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Generator & UPS Load Bank Testing

Protect your engine from harmful carbon deposits

Always test your standby generator at full capacity. Don't feel powerless when power loss strikes.

  • When a generator is run for regular periods of no-load or light load (<30%) issues occur such as ‘cylinder glazing’ and ‘wet stacking’.
  • These cause carbon deposits in your engine and exhaust that if left to accumulate, can cause expensive repairs due to premature engine or turbocharger failure.
  • By connecting a load bank and testing to a higher load rating, this will burn of the carbon deposits and protect your engine and extend the working lifetime of your asset.
Carbon Deposits on an Exhaust
Carbon Deposits
Generator & UPS Load Bank Testing

Could your standby generator benefit from a load bank test?

At Solent Power we can provide quick and cost effective generator load bank testing, performed by experienced generator specialists. Please contact a member of our team to have a friendly discussion about your standby generator maintenance.
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If you'd like to learn more about Generator Load Bank Testing, please get in touch.
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Solent Power provides critical emergency power equipment to a variety of industries. We are based in Southampton, UK, but provide our services to businesses all across the nation.

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