Choosing between fixed and portable load banks

From testing wind turbines to maintaining reliable telecoms infrastructure, load banks play a crucial role in keeping the country running. But choosing the right load bank can be challenging as each type offers unique advantages. So, what’s the difference between fixed and portable load banks and how do you determine which is best suited for your application’s needs?

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Consider this:

? What are the continuous power requirements of the equipment you plan to test?

?? Where do you plan to use the load bank?

?? What is your budget?

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Once you’ve assessed these considerations, it’s time to explore the differences between portable and fixed load banks. At first glance, the difference seems simple: portable load banks can be moved between testing sites while fixed ones are stationary. But how does this difference impact the benefits of each solution?

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Fixed load banks

? Ideal for equipment with high continuous power requirements in hard-to-reach locations

? Always available for flexible maintenance schedules

? Cost-effective as eliminates the need to hire a crane or install long cable runs

? Available as freestanding, self-cooled units or radiator-mounted systems that save on space and reduce noise

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?? Ideal for use in:

Hospitals, industrial plants and data centres that require regular backup generator testing.

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Portable load banks

? Lightweight and compact for easy transport across different sites

? Eliminates the need for installation costs at every location

? Custom designs available for higher power capacity in portable formats

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?? Ideal for use in:

Multi-site applications such as testing EV charging stations and performing pre-commissioning tests on offshore renewable systems.

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The uses of load bank testing are varied, meaning there will be no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to finding the perfect load bank. Knowing whether a portable or fixed load bank would be best suited to your needs will go a long way in ensuring an optimised testing setup.

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Power Prove has extensive experience in designing and producing custom and off-the-shelf load banks for applications including renewables and generator testing. We also offer a range of customisation options, including portability, digital interfaces and remote testing ??

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To find the most suitable load bank for your application, please get in touch.