Load Banks

Load banks can be used with a well planned maintenance program to prevent a diesel generator from running under load and wet stacking.

Designed with highly reliable FIREBAR resistors, Incoloy 800 sheath.

The unique flat vertical surface geometry allows air to flow more freely and more air to flow up and across the sheaths surface thus improving heat transfer.

In industries where power reliability is critical, there is no room for uncertainty. Whether you're operating a data centre in Sydney, a hospital in Melbourne, a mining operation in Western Australia, or an industrial facility in Queensland, your backup power systems need to perform exactly as designed when called upon.

A Load Bank is one of the most effective tools available for verifying the performance of generators, UPS systems, batteries, and other power infrastructure. By applying a controlled, artificial electrical load, load banks simulate real operating conditions and allow businesses to confirm their equipment can deliver its rated capacity safely and reliably.

For Australian organisations, regular load bank testing is increasingly considered a best practice for risk management, asset protection, and operational continuity.

A Load Bank is a testing device used to apply a controlled electrical load to a power source without connecting it to the facility's actual equipment.

The load bank absorbs the generated power and safely dissipates it through high-performance resistor or reactive elements. This allows technicians and engineers to evaluate power system performance under realistic operating conditions.

Load banks are commonly used to test:

For Australian businesses, load bank testing provides confidence that essential power systems will perform during utility outages, planned shutdowns, or emergency situations.

Many standby generators spend most of their service life waiting for an emergency. While regular start-up testing confirms the generator can run, it does not confirm the generator can carry its full design load.

This is where load bank testing becomes essential.

Verify Generator Performance

A generator that starts successfully may still be incapable of supplying rated power during an outage.

Load bank testing confirms:

This gives facility managers confidence that the system will perform when required.

Prevent Costly Downtime

Unexpected power failures can result in:

Routine testing identifies potential issues before they become expensive failures.

Reduce Diesel Generator Wet Stacking

A common challenge for standby diesel generators is wet stacking, caused by prolonged operation at light loads.

Load bank testing helps:

For generators operating in remote mining locations or critical infrastructure environments, this can significantly improve reliability.

Mining and Resources

Australia's mining sector relies heavily on standby and prime power generation.

Load banks are regularly used for:

Reliable power systems are particularly important in remote locations where utility power is unavailable.

Data Centres

As Australia's digital infrastructure expands, data centres require robust backup power systems.

Load bank testing allows operators to verify:

This helps ensure uninterrupted service and compliance with operational requirements.

Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals and healthcare providers depend on emergency power to maintain critical services.

Regular load bank testing provides assurance that backup systems can support:

Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities

Production downtime can have significant financial consequences.

Load banks help manufacturers validate emergency power systems before they are needed, reducing operational risk and improving business continuity.

Utilities and Renewable Energy

The growth of renewable energy and battery storage systems across Australia has increased demand for power system testing solutions.

Load banks are commonly used for:

Different applications require different testing approaches.

Resistive Load Banks

Resistive load banks simulate loads such as:

They are widely used for generator load testing and commissioning.

Reactive Load Banks

Reactive load banks simulate inductive loads found in:

These tests provide a more realistic representation of actual operating conditions.

Resistive-Reactive Load Banks

For comprehensive testing, many facilities use combined resistive-reactive load banks.

Benefits include:

DC Load Banks

DC load banks are used for:

These systems are increasingly important as Australia's energy sector continues to evolve.

Choosing the right load bank depends on the application, power source, and operating environment.

Load Capacity

The load bank should be sized to test equipment at its intended operating capacity.

Applications range from:

Australian Conditions

Australia's harsh operating environments demand robust equipment.

Important considerations include:

This is particularly important for mining, rail, marine, and industrial applications.

Advanced Controls and Monitoring

Modern load banks often provide:

These features improve both operational efficiency and reporting accuracy.

When sourcing load banks, many organisations prefer working with Australian manufacturers and engineering teams.

Advantages include:

For critical infrastructure projects, having access to local technical expertise can provide significant long-term value.

A well-planned preventative maintenance program helps reduce operational risk and maximise equipment life.

Regular load bank testing can help:

For businesses that rely on continuous power availability, these benefits often far outweigh the cost of testing.

Businesses interested in load bank testing may also benefit from:

Backer Cynebar Ohmic is an Australian manufacturer based in Brisbane, Queensland, specialising in electrical resistance technologies for industrial, mining, rail, utilities, renewable energy, and critical infrastructure sectors.

As part of the global Backer Group, we combine local engineering expertise with international manufacturing capability to deliver reliable, high-performance load bank solutions tailored to Australian operating conditions.

Our team can assist with: