Feature: Power


Figure 1: Installation of outdoor load banks


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Selecting the right load bank


By Andrew Keith, Group Product Development Director, Cressall Resistors


48 July/August 2021 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


hen designing any system, whilst no one can predict how things may turn out, being prepared for the worst is always a good strategy. One predicament that strikes fear into any executive is a sudden power outage,


especially if the back-up system fails to spring into action. Any facility requiring constant power, whether for keeping


lights on in a healthcare facility or for continuous production in a manufacturing plant, cannot afford a complete loss of power should the supply from the grid be cut off for any reason. To ensure safety, diesel generators supported by battery-backed uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are also put into place to provide power to emergency lighting, computer systems, liſts, pumps and fire alarms when failure occurs. Luckily, power failures are not a regular occurrence; still, it’s best to be prepared.


Bearing the load Neglecting to carry out regular load testing can lead to problems. Smoky exhausts, carbon build-up, fuel-system problems and lubricating oil deterioration can all be avoided by regular load testing once or twice a year. Routine testing should be under load to bring the engine,


alternator and radiator up to normal working temperatures. It has long been routine for all newly-installed generating sets


to require load testing during the commissioning process, to prove the performance of the set and its cooling system, exhaust, switchgear and protection scheme. To carry out these tests, contractors oſten bring portable load banks to the site. Such load banks are convenient and reliable, making them not only ideal for onsite testing, but also for contractors and hire shops where fleets of generators need testing each time they are sent out or returned from hire.


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