Load banks are commonly used equipment in the field of power testing. They are used to simulate various real loads and perform performance tests on power supplies, generator sets and other equipment. The following is a detailed introduction for you:

1. Working principle

Use internal resistance, reactance, electronic components, etc. to simulate loads of different properties and sizes. For example, resistance components simulate resistive loads and consume active power; reactance components simulate inductive or capacitive loads and affect the reactive power of the circuit. By adjusting the parameter combination of these components, load conditions with different powers and different power factors can be simulated.

2. Types

• Resistive load bank: Mainly composed of resistance components, used to test the performance of power supplies under pure resistive loads, such as output voltage stability, current carrying capacity, etc. Commonly used for power supply testing of pure resistive electrical appliances such as heating equipment and incandescent lamps.

• Inductive load bank: Mainly based on inductive components, it simulates inductive load characteristics and can test the dynamic response of the power supply when carrying inductive loads, such as the impact of motor starting on the power supply. Commonly used for testing equipment such as generators and UPS to evaluate their ability to carry inductive loads.

• Capacitive load bank: Capacitive load is simulated by capacitive elements to analyze the performance of power supply under capacitive load, such as the influence of compensation capacitor on power supply. It is widely used in the test of reactive power compensation device of power system.

• Comprehensive load bank: It can simulate multiple load characteristics at the same time, flexibly adjust the ratio of resistive, inductive and capacitive loads, simulate complex actual load conditions, and comprehensively test the performance of power supply. It is suitable for testing power supply equipment that needs to be compatible with different types of loads.

3. Application scenarios

• Power industry: Test the performance of generator sets, such as starting characteristics, steady-state operating parameters, sudden load addition and unloading response, etc., to ensure that they meet the requirements of grid access; detect power supply equipment in substations and distribution rooms, and evaluate the power supply quality and reliability under different load conditions.

• Electronic manufacturing: Perform performance tests on various power adapters and chargers to verify whether their output stability, efficiency and other indicators under different loads meet the design requirements; test the power supply module of electronic equipment to ensure that it can provide stable power supply to various components of the equipment.

• Scientific research and teaching: In the power electronics laboratories of universities and scientific research institutions, researchers and students are provided with a simulated real load environment for course experiments and scientific research projects such as power systems and power electronics technology.

4. Main parameters

• Rated power: refers to the maximum power that the load bank can withstand for a long time and stably, reflecting its load capacity. Common specifications range from hundreds of watts to several megawatts.

• Power factor: reflects the nature of the load. The adjustable range is usually between 0 and 1, and can simulate the impact of loads of different properties on the power supply.

• Voltage level: The adapted input voltage range, commonly 220V, 380V, 400V, etc., needs to match the voltage of the power supply being tested.

• Current capacity: The maximum current value that can pass, which is related to the rated power and voltage level, and determines the load size that the load bank can simulate.