What is load bank testing?

Load bank testing is typically carried out during preventive maintenance, and is a way of validating the correct operational performance and battery autonomy of your generator. Testing this under load conditions, a load test can determine battery condition and when they are approaching their end of working life, not holding a charge or are about to fail. This allows a load bank tester to replace them in advance of breakdown or failure, ensuring that critical power supply is always available.

A load bank test will provide timely identification of problems with the generator and an indication of remedial actions that should be taken. In the case of a standby generator, a load bank test will indicate the engine’s ability to provide the required power; the alternator’s capability to provide the required voltage stability; stable frequency; efficiency of control systems under varying conditions of load; performance of the whole system; oil and fuel pressure. It will also help remove deposits from pistons, engine castings and exhausts, identify potential weaknesses, record results and any work that needs to be done.