Generator Load Bank Testing & UPS Battery Check
Generator load bank testing is essential for ensuring the reliability of generators in providing uninterrupted power, particularly during emergencies. It involves testing a generator by applying an electrical load to verify its response and performance. Unlike relying solely on building loads which may only utilize 50-60% of the generator's capacity load banking stresses the generator to full capacity, mitigating risks such as wet stacking, which occurs when diesel engines operate below their optimal capacity. Benefits of load banking include validating the generator's ability to handle full loads, preventing power failures in critical facilities (like data centers and hospitals), and producing documentation of test results for future reference. This testing is crucial in avoiding issues that could render power systems ineffective during outages.
Generator Load Bank testing
Generator load bank testing is a crucial aspect of our maintenance programmes for our generator systems. These systems play a crucial role in providing uninterrupted power supply to crucial loads, making their functionality extremely important, but what is load banking? Load banking is the test carried out where you stimulate the generator with an electrical load to make sure it will respond when it is needed the most. During this testing, some adjusting and calibration will be carried on in order to get the generator ready to its optimum performance in any case of an emergency. Why load bank test a generator? You may well ask why should I load bank a generator? Can't I not just use the building load to test the generator?
The answer is YES in that it is of course important that the generator supports any particular site specific load, characteristics that could vary somewhat from the load of load bank. It also allows the building user to test the automatic changeover switching, which is a fundamental part and the possible weak link if it does not operate correctly.
However it should be remembered that for emergency standby generators, the building load (even its peak load) will likely only be 50-60% of the generators maximum capacity in order to ensure the generator can support the entire building load straightaway. This means that not only is the generator not tested to full capacity but it introduces the potential risk of wet stacking.
This is why the use of an external load bank is advantageous.
Benefits of Load Banking
Load bank testing allows a building user to verify the performance of emergency backup generators without interrupting business operations, subsequently reducing the risk of a power failure. This is especially important for mission critical facilities such as data centres and hospitals.
Ultimately, load bank testing provides you with tangible proof that the generator will support its full load if required. It also allows you to have full trust in your system. It's not ideal to wait for a power cut, only to find that a minor issue at a critical time renders your entire power protection system useless. Another benefit, it prevents Wet Stacking.
What is Wet Stacking and how to prevent it?
Wet stacking is a condition that can affect all diesel engines, not just generator engines. Wet stacking means that not all the fuel has been burned and this unburned residues goes into the exhaust side of the turbo. The main causes of wet stacking is when the diesel engines is working at a low proportion of their capacity, so to prevent that, load banking comes into play.
When load banking a generator, it is useful to log all stages of the load bank test, including the load, timings and parameters (e.g. frequency), voltage, oil pressure and coolant temperature. This will provide you with a written evidence of testing and allows you to compare future test.
When you do so, it will help you be sure that you can rely on the equipment you've got. It will also highlight any issues before they become critical, reducing the chance of your generator failing when you really need it the most.
If you’re looking to Load Bank your Diesel Generator, call us on 0845 055 8455, we’re here to help!