What are the different types of load banks?

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Load banks is a tool used to test power supply equipment, mainly used for testing and maintenance of generators, uninterruptible power supply and transmission equipment, etc.. Its use avoids economic losses caused by the failure of standby units or power startup, and also provides a scientific basis for testing the carrying capacity of new units. It has a wide range of applications and can be used in key sectors such as ships, energy, power, transportation, finance, offshore platforms, data centers, disaster preparedness centers and some important system dispatch centers. There are many kinds of classifications of load banks, which can be classified according to the output type, working mode, carrying capacity as well as fixed, moving mode and different components of composition, etc. The following are some possible classifications:

According to the output type and working mode classification can be divided into including constant current output, constant voltage output, constant power output and so on:

Constant current load banks: this type of load banks can simulate constant current load, usually used to test the output current capability of the power supply.

Constant voltage load banks: this type of load banks can simulate a constant voltage load, usually used to test the output voltage of the power supply.

Constant power load banks: this type of load banks can simulate constant power load, usually used to test the output power capacity of the power supply.

Commonly categorized according to the carrying capacity of the classification is divided into including high-power load banks, medium-power load banks and low-power load banks, as well as high-voltage load banks and low-voltage load banks and so on.

High-power load bank: High-power load bank is usually used to test the working condition of high-power power supply or inverter and other products, its rated power is generally between several hundred kilowatts to several megawatts. This type of equipment is commonly used for generator sets factory inspection or acceptance after the completion of the project, as well as diesel generator sets for routine maintenance testing.

Medium Power Load Banks: Medium Power Load Banks generally range from tens of kilowatts to hundreds of kilowatts and are mainly used to test equipment such as medium power supplies or inverters. These devices can be used to test the performance of small genset units, power supplies and other performance.

Small power load box: small power load box is used to test low power power supply or inverter and other products, usually in a few kilowatts to tens of kilowatts below. This type of equipment is mainly used for small generator sets, UPS, transformers and other equipment testing.

High voltage load Banks: This type of load banks is suitable for high voltage load test, usually used for testing high voltage power supply, power transformer and other high voltage equipment.

Low-voltage load Banks: This type of load banks is suitable for low-voltage load testing, usually used for testing microcontrollers, smart cards and other low-voltage devices.

Load Banks can also be categorized into fixed, portable and trailer type according to the way they are fixed and carried.

Fixed Load Banks: These load banks are a permanent solution for regular testing and supplemental light loads, which usually require more space to accommodate. Safe for outdoor use, freestanding, stationary models provide the best solution for frequent testing needs.

Portable Load Banks: Portable Load Banks is suitable for testing lower power levels and can be easily moved between sites. Portable units are lightweight and have optional profiles to protect the unit between uses.

Trailer Mounted Load Banks: Trailer mounted load banks are ideal for companies that need to remotely test generators on site, eliminating the need to purchase a separate load bank for each location that needs to be tested. Trailer mounted load banks typically have a larger testing capacity, similar to stationary load banks. Trailer-mounted load banks are easily transported by truck and are ideal for generators in parking lots or other height-restricted applications.

The load bank can also be categorized according to the different types of internal circuit components, and the common classifications are resistor load bank, resistor-capacitor integrated load bank, and resistor-inductor integrated load bank:

Resistive Load Bank: This type of load bank contains only resistive components and can be used to simulate a variety of different load conditions. It is often used to test the output capability of electronic devices such as power supplies, power amplifiers, and other circuits where the effects of load need to be considered.

Resistor-Capacitor Integrated Load Bank: This type of load bank includes a capacitor element in addition to the resistor element to more realistically simulate the characteristics of a circuit under actual load conditions. The addition of capacitive components allows the load bank to have a wider range of applications, such as testing filters, voltage regulators and other electronic equipment.

Resistive-Inductive Integrated Load Bank: This load bank incorporates inductive components in addition to resistive components, which can more realistically simulate circuit characteristics under actual load conditions and help testers effectively evaluate circuit performance and stability during power system testing.

Different types of load banks have different application ranges, and selecting the appropriate load bank according to actual needs can improve testing efficiency and accuracy. Load banks can be classified in various ways, and these classifications are only for better understanding of the different differences in load banks. For specific needs that conventional load bank designs cannot meet, customized load banks will be a better solution.

The "Testing Load Division" of Hebei Hanlan Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the research and development, production, and sales of generator set testing load banks, marine dry load  banks, data center testing load banks, special RLC load banks, general AC load banks, charging pile performance testing load banks, and new energy device testing load banks. The design power of the load banks can reach 1kW to 10MW, and customized system solutions are provided according to the actual application environment needs of customers.