Load Banks

A load bank is a self-contained unit of electrical test equipment that applies a controlled, measurable load to a power source, allowing it to be tested under realistic operating conditions without relying on the actual building or facility load. Load banks are essential tools for verifying that generators, UPS systems, and battery infrastructure will perform as designed when they are needed most. RS Australia stocks a broad range of load banks in portable and fixed formats across AC and DC configurations and power ratings, covering the full scope of commissioning and maintenance testing requirements for commercial, industrial, and critical infrastructure environments.

Load Bank Testing: What It Involves

Load bank testing involves connecting a load bank to a power source and progressively applying electrical load to verify that the source performs correctly across its full rated output. The test exposes weaknesses in fuel systems, cooling circuits, exhaust systems, and control logic that would not be apparent during light or no-load running.

Generator testing using load banks for generators prevents wet stacking, a condition caused by prolonged light-load operation that allows unburned fuel to accumulate in the exhaust system and degrade engine performance over time. Regular full-rated load tests are recommended as part of any scheduled generator maintenance programme. UPS testing under simulated load confirms battery runtime and system performance, which is essential both at commissioning and during annual maintenance cycles. Battery system verification validates discharge capacity and confirms that the autonomy of the system meets the design specification before it is relied upon during a real power outage. Load bank testing equipment is used across both the commissioning of new installations and the ongoing maintenance of existing critical power infrastructure.

Types of Load Banks

Load banks are available in several configurations, each designed to simulate a specific type of electrical load. Selecting the right type depends on the power source being tested, the power factor requirements of the test, and whether the application calls for portable field testing or a permanent installed facility.

Resistive Load Banks

A resistive load bank is the most widely used type across generator testing, UPS commissioning, and general electrical load testing applications. It applies a unity power factor load of 1.0, allowing the power source to be tested at its full rated kilowatt output. Electrical energy is converted to heat through resistive elements and dissipated by motorised fans. Portable resistive load banks are available in DC, single-phase AC, and three-phase AC configurations, with larger units supplied in trailer-mounted formats for site testing and rack-mounted versions for permanent data centre and UPS room installations.

Reactive Load Banks (Inductive)

Reactive inductive load banks add inductance to the test circuit, applying a lagging power factor load, typically 0.8 power factor. They are rated in kVAr rather than kW and are used in conjunction with a resistive unit to achieve a full nameplate kVA test of the generator or power source. This type of AC load bank is particularly relevant for testing equipment that drives inductive loads in normal operation, such as transformers and motor-driven machinery, where a unity power factor test alone would not fully exercise the system.

Capacitive Load Banks

Capacitive load banks apply a leading power factor load and are rated in kVAr. They are used alongside resistive units to simulate the load characteristics of UPS systems, variable speed drives, and other equipment that presents a capacitive load to the power source. While less common than resistive or inductive types, capacitive load banks are an important part of a complete electrical load bank test programme for facilities operating this class of equipment.

Resistive Reactive Combined Load Banks

A combined resistive reactive load bank integrates resistive elements and inductors, and in some units capacitors, into a single enclosure with independently switched sections. This allows the test engineer to apply resistive-only, inductive-only, or variable lagging and leading power factor loads from a single power load bank unit. No additional equipment needs to be connected to achieve different test conditions. Combined units are rated in kVA and are the most versatile option for facilities that carry out a full range of commissioning and maintenance tests on generators, UPS systems, and battery infrastructure.

Industrial Applications of Load Banks

Load banks are specified across a broad range of industries in Australia wherever backup power, prime power, or battery infrastructure requires periodic verification against defined performance standards.

• Data Centres: Data centres use load banks to commission and periodically test the UPS systems and backup generators that protect critical IT infrastructure. Full-load testing under controlled conditions provides documented evidence that the power chain will respond correctly during a real outage, and supports compliance with the uptime tier requirements that data centre operators and their clients depend on.
• Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Emergency backup power systems in hospitals and healthcare facilities are subject to mandatory periodic testing under AS/NZS standards. Compliance testing must be completed without interrupting normal facility operations, making portable resistive load banks the standard tool for on-site verification. The documented test results form part of the evidence base required for healthcare accreditation and facility compliance audits.
• Mining and Resources: Remote mining sites frequently operate prime power generators as the primary electricity source with no grid connection. Commissioning new generating sets and verifying that existing plants can sustain full site load during extended operation are both routine requirements in this sector. Portable electrical load banks are the practical choice for on-site testing in remote environments where a fixed installation is not feasible.
• Commercial and Industrial Facilities: Office towers, retail centres, manufacturing plants, and logistics facilities rely on standby generators to maintain power during grid outages. Periodic testing identifies fuel, cooling, and mechanical issues before they become failures during a real event, and produces the maintenance records that insurance and compliance frameworks increasingly require for critical building systems.
• Telecommunications: Telecommunications infrastructure supporting mobile networks, data links, and emergency communications depends on UPS and battery backup systems to maintain uptime during power disruptions. Load bank testing in this context focuses on confirming that battery runtime meets the network's resilience specification, particularly as battery systems age and capacity degrades over their service life.
• Marine: Shipboard generators are tested using load banks during commissioning and scheduled maintenance to confirm sustained rated output under the full electrical load of the vessel. The test results establish the performance baseline used to plan maintenance intervals and identify capacity degradation before it affects vessel operations or safety systems.

Buy Load Banks Online from RS Australia

RS Australia is a trusted supplier and distributor of load banks and load bank testing equipment for industrial, commercial, and government buyers, stocking products from Arcol to suit a wide range of generator testing, UPS commissioning, and battery verification applications across Australia.

Complementary products including UPS systems, bench power supplies, and multimeters are also available, supporting a complete power testing and verification setup from a single supplier. Browse the full range of load banks for sale at RS and order online today with fast, Australia-wide delivery. For more details on delivery services and fees, please refer to our Delivery page.