What Is A Load Bank

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Load Banks are a set of heating elements and fans. Increasing the heat output of the heating elements increases the power needed to operate. Cooling fans mounted behind the heating element maintain the operating temperature of the Load Bank.

A number of considerations for placement of a Load Bank should be made due to the heat/airflow and noise from the equipment, ideally placing away from sprinkler systems, alarms, people working etc.

 

What Is A Load Bank Test

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Load Bank testing places a AC resistive load onto the UPS to validate the correct operational performance and battery autonomy of the whole UPS system under load conditions. DC Load Bank testing which just tests battery sets is also available.

 

Running the UPS system at maximum load for a sustained discharge will identify any weak/failing battery blocks as it can take some time on discharge before the overall DC battery string voltage begins to collapse. A short duration “Battery Test” does not provide accurate information into the condition of the system.

 

Measurements are taken at regular intervals during the discharge test to accurately access the condition of the battery system. Failing battery blocks generally warm up faster which can be seen with thermal imaging cameras. Images are taken if necessary and included on a detailed report.

 

When Should Load Bank Testing Occur

 

This is often completed at least one week after the commissioning, this one week period allows the battery set to fully charged and equalise. Performing a Load Bank test during this period may provide inaccurate results therefore be not cost effective.

 

Periodic load bank testing throughout the life of the UPS system would provide you with the knowledge that the UPS system is performing at its optimum performance and identify any issue to be resolved before compromising the system. However caution must be exercised, Load Bank testing will affect the UPS systems resilience due to discharged battery state (therefore reduced autonomy) once reconnected to the site load.

 

Load Bank Testing can be performed even with a fully operational site load provided an External Maintenance Bypass is installed although Out Of Hours service is recommended to minimise risk and disruption.