FAQs
For answers to common questions about load banks and Rentaload services, browse the list below.
Load banks are commonly used to test different types of electrical and thermal equipment such as generators, inverters, batteries, electric chains, air conditioning systems.
They can also be used in many different industries such as datacenters, health/hospitals, maritime/naval, industrial, tertiary…
In most cases power supply interruptions are not frequent and therefore emergency generator systems are rarely used or needed. In critical applications where power supply interruptions are not allowed and non-negotiable however, backup power systems are required and must be available without fail. To be certain that these backup power systems are in working order at all times, they are regularly tested by using a load bank which simulates the load of the existing system.
A network rarely consumes pure active power. Devices such as motors, discharge lamps, computers, etc. have a power factor of less than 1. The network consumes, in addition to active power, more or less reactive power. A resistive load bank only simulates the active power of the network. The combined use of a reactive load bank and a resistive load bank makes it possible to faithfully simulate the load of a network.
Testing with a load bank is done to avoid disturbing the user network with micro cuts which occur when starting and stopping testing. And above all because if the test goes badly (the group does not pick up the load well), the user network will no longer be supplied with the consequences that this entails… in hospitals, nuclear power plants, data centres, etc. The test with a load bank is safer and also more flexible in the organization.
Active power is used to generate work (that of a motor, for example) or heat. The reactive power consumed corresponds for example to the establishment of a magnetic field in a transformer. Reactive power has a real impact on the network because it causes thermal losses, overloads of distribution transformers, heating of power cables and voltage drops. In a network, we always try to limit the reactive power, in particular by composing it.
Load bank testing can provide valuable information regarding the equipment and systems under test. The primary purpose of testing with a load bank is to ensure system reliability. This is done by replicating system load, and thereby validating the equipment, system design and manufacturing, and compliance to any and all applicable requirements. For more information on the benefits of load bank testing please reach out to our sales team. Contact Us
The data centre environment is an environment where technology is constantly evolving and where the requirements for monitoring installations are increasingly stringent. Consequently, the test means and processes follow the same trend (evolution of technologies, standards, test specifications, etc.). Thus, to follow these developments, it is necessary to have test equipment with new functionalities such as our Rentaload load banks:
- connected rack load banks
- load banks with Delta T close to that of future servers
There is therefore a need to constantly upgrade the fleet of load banks. And only the rental business model makes it possible to make these regular investments or else it takes a recurrence of “big projects” to amortise a huge investment in a short time.
The advantages of renting are therefore multiple:
- Hardware always in line with the latest IST Commissioning test specification for data centres
- Equipment tested between two projects + preventive maintenance
- Equipment stored in a dry place avoiding premature aging of equipment. Renting will thus save you two types of costs: equipment maintenance costs and storage costs, which today are not negligible.
- A whole range of services associated with rental: delivery anywhere in Europe, installation of equipment, connection if necessary, assistance with tests or complete commissioning
The investment for the purchase of a load bank is greater than that of a rental and the Rentaload service allows you to benefit from more advantages as you have seen. Our technical advisors available during your tests can assist you if necessary. You also have a detailed user manual, relatively simple and easy to understand. Finally, choosing rental means choosing simplicity and efficiency. The logistics are managed by Rentaload from drop-off to pick-up on site as well as all the details. You can free yourself of time and mind, we ensure the availability of benches.
Installation, connection, and operation of load banks can be done by Rentaload personnel or any qualified technician.
For more information regarding our services please contact our sales team. Contact Us
Customer satisfaction is our top priority. Rentaload provides its customers with technical support before, during, and after testing.
Contact us by phone or email and we will be happy to discuss how we may serve you. Contact Us
A load bank can be purchased or rented.
For users who offer testing services on a daily basis, a load bank purchase likely makes economic sense. For load bank purchases, please reach out to the Rentaload sales team for a referral. Contact Us
Rental is ideal for most other clients due to maintenance, storage, and cost. A suitable load bank can be rented and delivered on short notice to the specified location. Please reach out to the Rentaload sales team for our product offering and availability. Contact Us
Testing equipment with a load bank will save time and money in the long run! Knowing the reliability of equipment and whether in the medium term the replacement of equipment will always cost you more than maintenance with a load bank. The load bank is also the only way to ensure the proper functioning of your equipment (generator, UPS, etc.) the day you need it in operational conditions. Testing with a bench above all makes it possible to carry out preventive maintenance and makes it possible to avoid costly corrective maintenance which immobilises your resources. Moreover, the use of benches is even recommended by the regulations during the testing of strategic equipment in public buildings (hospitals, prisons, shopping centers, etc.)
In the USA, to prevent any incident and guarantee the safety of people, the law establishes standards regarding health care facilities, emergency and Standby Power Systems :
NFPA 99 – Health Care Facilities Code – establishes criteria for levels of health care services or systems based on risk to the patients, staff, or visitors in health care facilities to minimize the hazards of fire, explosion, and electricity.
NFPA 110 – Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems – This standard covers performance requirements for emergency and standby power systems providing an alternate source of electrical power in buildings and facilities in the event that the normal electrical power source fails. Systems include power sources, transfer equipment, controls, supervisory equipment, and accessory equipment needed to supply electrical power to the selected circuits.
Yes. Rentaload offers its load bank rental services throughout the world thanks to various warehouses and partners. Rentaload provides load bank rentals as well as a range of associated services on site, including delivery, installation, connection, assistance with testing, and complete commissioning.
Rentaload offers the following products and services:
- A wide array of products, services, and accessories (more than 120 MW of power available to meet your needs)
- Innovative products, at the cutting edge (connected load banks and Low Delta T)
- Reliable and quality products – manufactured and tested in the USA
- Precise measurement data to bring added value to your tests
- Up to 20% time savings in carrying out your tests thanks to connected load banks
- Deliveries and service throughout the world – (7 warehouses and partners in the USA (Cincinnati and Indianapolis) and in Europe (France, Germany, England, Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal)
- Support from A to Z – Turnkey service option, including installation, connection, assistance with testing, or complete commissioning (test protocol, performance of on-site tests, recording and data analysis, and final test report) + the assurance of having a qualified technician available 24×7.
- Responsive – we aim to respond to your requests within 48 hours.
