What Is The Load Bank And What Needs To Be Tested By Load Bank?
1. Why provide load bank rental test service for generator performance test?
For many units, having backup generators is essential to maintain the operation of critical services in the event of a power failure. For example, for those in the medical industry, the power failure state may be a matter of life and death. For those who operate data centers or financial sectors, power outages can mean devastating asset losses. This is why it is so important to regularly test the standby power supply systems to ensure that they work when they are most needed. This process is called load bank rental test.
2. What is the load bank and what needs to be tested?
In short, the load bank is a special equipment that generates artificial false load on the generator. It simulates the process of using the generator equipment in an emergency by making the generator reach a certain working temperature and pressure. A simple way of thinking is that the purpose of load testing is essentially to act as a simulated operation for emergency generators and allow all defects to be detected before a real emergency.
3. What are the advantages of load bank testing?
First, you can rest assured that your generator is capable of working in an emergency. The second is that the repair cost of problems found in this process is usually much lower than that found in critical situations. Ensure that all minor problems can be handled before the load test.
4. How often does the generator need to be tested?
The frequency of load bank rental testing of generators usually depends on the specification of the generator and the purpose of the standby generator. For example, if a generator is used as backup equipment for services related to loss of life or serious injury (e.g. in a hospital environment), the test frequency of each safety specification must be carried out multiple times.
In most cases, it is generally recommended that the generator be tested for at least 60 minutes per year at 80% of the maximum load. For important generators, they can be tested more frequently, but this depends entirely on the unit requirements and industry regulations. It is generally recommended to carry out the load bank test for at least two consecutive hours.
The unit can rent the fake load when the generator needs to be tested. If the test demand is very high, it can also directly buy a load bank and install it on the test site. Generally, the unit with multiple generators needs to buy its own load bank and permanently fix it on the test site.
5. What is the flow of generator load test?
In the test process, it is very important to follow the test specifications provided by the service provider. This ensures the safety of personnel who complete the test and helps prevent power outages during the test.
The tester shall wear appropriate safety clothing, including goggles, hearing protection, head protection, steel head boots, gloves and high visibility reflective vest. The tester shall have working experience in load bank testing and hold corresponding electrician operation certificate. In most cases, load testing with a certified organization is recommended.
Test procedure: the actual load bank rental test process is not complex. It is briefly summarized as follows: the tester first starts and runs the generator until the water temperature is stable. Then, all manual or automatic switches are transferred to the emergency power supply. The generator then receives the load from the load bank until the required load level is reached. After the successful completion of the test, the technician disconnected the load and switched all switches back to the normal position, and then let the generator cool down.
