When To Perform Load Bank Test on Your Facility’s Generator?

The one question which often bugs so many facility owners is – What’s the Rule Of Thumb to determine the frequency of load testing?

In response to this important question- many field experts opine that load bank tests should be conducted annually to validate the performance of facility generators. And although this piece of advice does make sense, there are certain scenarios which call for more frequent testing. 

Every facility’s set-up is different from the other. And you as the owner of the facility need to consider each of those factors before deciding the frequency of performing these load bank tests on-site. 

Still, as your knowledge base, Here Are Some Basic Parameters Which You Should Follow to Decide When to Get Your Site’s Generator’s Tested by Load Bank Specialists!

Perform a thorough inspection to get a clear picture of your facility’s diesel-operated generator. When doing so; you need to see on a monthly basis if it is performing over 30% of its mentioned kW rating load or under during its regular operating cycles. 

If you come across your site’s generator operating for 30-minutes at over 30% of its kW rating every month over a sustained period, then safe to say that you might not have resort to frequent load bank tests. 

On the contrary, if the generator’s performance is lack-lustre- like for example- it cannot run for 30-minutes at a stretch or runs below 30% of its kW load rating. In such a situation you will need to seek help from professionals offering resistive/reactive load bank testing to properly evaluate your on-site equipment and reach a definitive testing strategy.

Generally speaking, if your generator runs below 30% of its kW load rating for 30-minutes each month, then you will have to deliver an artificial load annually (even twice in 12-months) to determine its true performance. And using those results, you can then look to adopt corrective measures to resolve the issue permanently.

The whole point of performing these necessary load bank tests is to be sure that your facility generator will operate as it is meant to both under normal situations and in the event of a power cut. And by scheduling a visit with qualified specialists who provide load banks to test your generator’s commissioning; you can improve the dependency of your secondary/back-up power system to achieve peace of mind concerning your facility’s operations.

Another Important Point worth Considering Prior To Going for a Load Bank Test

Not every load bank company you come across will be equal in their service quality. Whether it’s in the quality of load bank units they provide for hire or the skills of their unit operators; noticeable differences will always exist.

That’s why before you decide anything, take time to research for a top-quality service provider in your region. Check their market reputation, the industries they provide load bank tests, the quality of units offered for hire and their customer satisfaction record.

You should only opt for companies who have been around for a long time and are vastly experienced in conducting a wide variety of specific load bank tests for different facilities. And by properly evaluating each of the above-mentioned aspects, you will surely find a company who you can trust and rely on to hire a reliable load bank unit for all present and future load bank testing requirements.