Load banks are devices which act as an electrical load. When applied to an electrical power source, they convert or dissipate the resultant power output of the source. A DC load bank’s function is to accurately imitate the operational or “real” load that a power source will see in an actual application. However, unlike the “real” load, which is likely to be dynamic and unpredictable, a load bank presents a self contained, optimized and fully reliable load with controls and accessory tools necessary for simple operation. This guarantees that performance testing of a power source can be done under controlled conditions for the most reliable, repeatable results.
High quality DC load banks with extensive built-in protection against improper connection and usage can be considered "Fit and Forget", easy maintenance products. They come with no hassles, no worries and a solid, no down-time guarantee. This definitely helps to keep project testing under budget and on time, leaving the project manager more time to concentrate on other important agendas.
Electronic loads and load testers are used to test electrical and electronic equipment. If you rely on a generator as part of a critical power system, simply starting up your generator every now and again is definitely not enough of a test to make sure your system will work when you really need it. A periodic load bank test is recommended to ensure that your generator will run smoothly and efficiently when you need it.
Technically speaking, any device that can be used to acquire and store data can be considered a data logger. This includes various data acquisition devices such as plug-in boards or serial communication systems, which use a computer as a real time data recording system. Nevertheless, most manufacturers believe a data logger is a rugged, stand alone device able to read various types of electrical signals and store the data in internal memory so it can be downloaded later to a computer. Some data loggers are designed as turn-key solutions, using the latest measuring and protection circuitry, and are microprocessor controlled. When using a Manatronics Data Logger in conjunction with a suitable Manatronics Load Bank for battery testing, you can simply set it and move on to a next task. The data logger can be programmed with a Selectable End Voltage that terminates the load test and, when finished, will switch off the Manatronics Load.
It is of the upmost importance that, if you are considering a DC load bank and data logger, you deal with a company that has products designed to be rugged, flexible, reliable, and are easy to use. Also find out if the business you are dealing with can cater to your different Voltage - Current requirements. They should be able to provide you with the top notch DC load bank tailor-made to suit your specific needs. Why pay for extra features you may never need or use?!
Loganholme, 29th July 2008. Most people don't think about their telephone service (land line or mobile) – until something goes wrong. One of the things used to test telephone system’s that keep the networks operating are DC Load Banks. DC Load Banks test, support and protect telephone exchanges for telephone service providers such as Telstra, as well as for general industry. An Australian small business inventor has created a series of DC Load Banks that are now exported around the world, which means people in countries such as Vietnam and China are now getting a more reliable telephone network.
Martin Elton is the inventor and founder of Manatronics, who uncovered a need for portable, affordable and easy to use DC Load Banks. "The problem with old Load Banks on the market is the affordable ones were very heavy – they needed 1 - 2 strong people to move them from place to place to test the Battery back-up supply. They also needed a technician to sit monitoring the operation for hours at a time. I knew there had to be a better way!"
Using Aussie ingenuity Martin invented and manufactured a DC Load Bank that was portable, easy to use and didn't need the expense of someone monitoring the results. They also cost only a fraction of the cost of similar products on the market, and are manufactured in Australia under Quality Assured conditions.
The DC Load Banks have proven very popular with businesses around the world - so what started as a small Australian business now exports 64% of all its products to countries such as Germany, Malaysia, USA, China and Vietnam. (23 DC Load Banks were recently installed in Vietnam).
Manatronics has also invented a series of DC Load Banks for Telco Rectifier Testing, General Purpose Power Supply Testing and a Battery Load Bank for Battery Discharge Testing.
So the next time you are thinking about your telephone service, think about a small business in Loganholme, Australia that used Aussie ingenuity to supply businesses around the world.
If you would like more information or photos about this topic or to schedule Martin Elton for an interview, please contact Martin on (07) 3801 3144.
Generators, especially those for larger facilities such as hospitals, or computer data centers, represent a sizable capital investment and are rarely installed as devices of convenience. They are a necessity and the stability of the operations, and the continuing functions of such a site, depend on their proper performance during emergency situations. Generators are emergency systems of the upmost importance and if they fail to produce the required amount of electrical current to keep a building operational, they may create potentially dangerous conditions and/or significant human and financial losses. Periodic maintenance and testing is essential to ensure that the unit will unfailingly perform when a crisis situation would ever emerge.
In today’s world we need more power, more security, and increased capabilities, with the result that research teams are constantly improving generator technology. Despite their progress, specialized engineers believe there is still room for improvement. With this same mindset, Load Bank suppliers have to keep pace with their products and have to constantly improve the electronic testing equipment they create. For those unfamiliar with Load Banks, these are devices designed to provide precisely controlled and measured electrical loads for testing power sources such as generators and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS). The function of a Load Bank is to accurately mimic the operational or “real” load that a power source would see during an actual application.
It would be difficult to imagine a world without electricity and batteries. Most modern devices and motorized equipment rely on an energy source, and to test these machines appropriately, ‘Direct Current’, or DC Load Banks and Data Loggers are required. Manatronics Pty Ltd has been producing top notch DC Electronic Load equipment since 1997, and is an expert in the manufacturing of DC Load Banks, Data Loggers, and Portable Load Banks. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to discover that their quality assured products are attracting more and more global attention. With their philosophy of building solid and robust products, competitively priced, yet still using only superior, QA tested components and materials, it is no wonder they are rapidly climbing the international market rankings.
Periodic DC Load Bank testing is an important element of a comprehensive maintenance program. Consequently, the testing devices have to be rugged, reliable and easy to use. The products Manatronics has to offer are designed to be flexible, and cater to a customer’s specific requirements and Voltage, or Current characteristics. This means that their units can easily be modified during the manufacturing process and can also be used in parallel, to allow for higher current and power requirements. This feature increases the flexibility of the units even more.
It cannot be stressed enough! To ensure that standby or back-up power systems will operate properly, it is critical to schedule regular Load Bank testing. To guarantee that the testing itself is a complete success there is a need for reliable equipment. This may include a data logger, which is an electronic device that accurately records data. It really does not matter if you require a new data recorder, or if you are trying to locate a precision DC Load Bank; just keep in mind to only contact a trustworthy, and established international manufacturer, such as Manatronics. Their “Fit and Forget” products have extensive built-in protection against misuse, which means, no hassles, no worries, and no down-time. Just imagine the luxury of all the free time you get to concentrate on other important assignments!
If you would like more information or photos about this topic or to schedule Martin Elton for an interview, please contact Martin on (07) 3801 3144.
