If you’re only performing load testing on a component-by-component basis, you may not be aware of serious system weaknesses. In addition to testing the individual components, you need to ensure your entire system functions as required. Complete system testing is the only way to know whether the individual components in the system will work together harmoniously. Learn more: http://www.comrent.com/Knowledge-Center/white-papers-presentations/resistive-vs-reactive-load-bank-testing.html

1. Resistive vs Reactive -- Reasons to Choose Reactive

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• What is a Load Bank?
• A self-contained electrical device that accurately mimics the behavior of the electrical
system’s actual load
• Why Conduct a Load Test?
• Simulates real-world scenarios
• Validates performance of electrical and mechanical systems
• Uncovers problems in a controlled situation
• What Industries Use Load Testing?
• Commercial Power/Utilities, including substations, solar, wind,
nuclear and onsite generation
• Maritime
• Data Center
• Government/Military
• Oil & Gas
• Hospitals/Healthcare
Load Bank Primer

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• Resistive
• Reactive
• Reactive/Inductive
• Reactive/Capacitive
• Resistive/Reactive
Types of Load Bank Testing Solutions

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Types of Load Bank Testing Solutions
Resistive Load
• Converts electrical energy (current)
into heat using power resistor
• Dissipates the heat using air or
water
• Examples include incandescent
lightbulbs, space heaters and hot
plates

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Types of Load Bank Testing Solutions
Reactive Load
• Simulates systems affected by electric motors or other
electromagnetic devices
• Equipment requiring reactive power compensation
includes motor-driven devices, transformers and
capacitors
• Reactive/Inductive loads monitor lagging power factor
• Device examples include motors, transformers and
chokes
• Routinely used in National Security Agency (NSA), wind
farm, solar and off-shore maritime applications
• Reactive/Capacitive loads monitor leading power
factor
• A capacitive load charges and releases energy
• Routinely used in solar facilities, manufacturing and
mining applications

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Types of Load Bank Testing Solutions
Resistive/Reactive Load
• Mimics motor loads and electromagnetic devices
within a power system
• Also provides purely resistive loads by allowing to
set a specific power factor
• Enables comprehensive testing from a single unit
• Used for testing turbines, switchgear, rotary UPS,
generators and UPS systems
• Used for integrated system testing of utility
substation protection systems
• Often required to test solar inverters

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Drawbacks of Resistive-Only Load
Testing
• Only tests certain components of a system rather than the entire system
• Resistive loads comprise only a small part of a facility’s total power
consumption
• Incandescent lights and electric heaters are typically the only equipment operating on a
resistive load
• This equipment does not draw large loads that realistically test performance
• Resistive-only testing fails to mimic real-world conditions
• Cannot simulate how a facility’s equipment will operate under actual
conditions
• System-wide testing is the only way to know whether the individual
components in the system will work together

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Making the Case for Reactive Load
Bank Solutions
• Simulates systems affected by electric motors or other electromagnetic
devices on a power network
• Resistive/reactive combination load banks test the entire system
• Creates the conditions experienced during a real power failure
• Uncovers weaknesses in a power generation system
• Predicts pending failures of multiple components making up the entire
system
• Ensures the system operates at an acceptable level during an
emergency

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Contact Us
• A global leader in load bank rentals and service
• More than 30,000 load tests performed
• A 99.99% on-site performance rate
• Unmatched level of service, expertise and experience
• Provides a consultative approach to every commissioning and testing project
For a complimentary consultation, contact ComRent at 888-881-7118.
Visit our website for more information on load bank testing.