A load bank is a device that provides an electrical load to a power source, converting the generated electrical energy into heat, which is then dissipated into the atmosphere. Load banks are essential tools for testing, commissioning, and maintaining power generation and distribution systems across a wide range of industries.

What is a Load Bank?

At its core, a load bank is a precisely engineered resistive circuit designed to simulate real-world electrical demand. Resistive load banks convert electrical energy into heat through high-power resistor elements, cooled by forced air from industrial fans.

The most common type is the three-phase AC resistive load bank, where the power factor equals 1. All electrical energy is converted to heat with no reactive power component. Load banks range from a few kW to several MW.

There are three main types: Resistive load banks provide unity power factor and are the most common. Inductive load banks simulate motors and transformers with a lagging power factor. Capacitive load banks produce a leading power factor for testing UPS systems and non-linear loads.