UPS Load Bank Testing Procedure Explained

05th December 2019
UPS Load Bank Testing Procedure

Load bank testing is a critical exercise to test how robust your Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is – and whether it will work when it’s needed. We explore what load bank testing is, how it works, and how Carter Sullivan can give you peace of mind that your UPS will perform when pushed.

 

What is load bank testing?

Load bank testing measures and validates the operational performance and battery health of your UPS system. The test applies a dummy load to your UPS, replicating the situations when your UPS might be called into action and enables you to identify potential weaknesses in your power protection system. A load bank test allows you to assess the condition of your battery system, identifying any failures in individual blocks. The test will also provide an accurate measurement of how long your UPS will perform in an emergency, enabling you to plan for contingencies to mitigate against any damage.

It’s likely that you undertook a load bank test of your UPS during the commissioning process. However, regular load bank testing should form part of a complete package of preventative maintenance. Identifying potential weaknesses in your critical infrastructure means you can fix them before they’re needed.

 

What happens during the load bank test?

Data centres need a continuous supply of energy to function, but in an emergency just how long will your UPS deliver the critical power you need? Load bank testing answers this question.

During a load bank test, your UPS is exposed to the typical critical load that it could experience in an emergency. The test validates the operational performance of the battery blocks and system, assessing just how well this critical backup system would perform.

A load bank is connected to the output of your UPS and replicates your critical load. A mains failure is then simulated and the time it takes for your batteries to discharge is how long your UPS will protect you in the event of an outage.

The procedure is often carried out, outside normal business hours to minimise the impact of downtime. It’s important to site the load bank away from sprinkler systems and other safety systems that could be triggered by its operation.

You should always seek expert advice before carrying out a load bank test because, as with anything electrical, there is always the potential for failure.

 

Why is load bank tasting important?

Before take-off, pilots fire up the engines and run diagnostic checks to ensure that when they hit the runway, they won’t fail. A load bank test is essentially the same principle.

A load bank test is the only way that you can test your UPS system outside of an actual emergency. It’s a safe way of testing that all aspects of your critical protection system are working harmoniously. Without regular testing, you can’t be totally confident your UPS will work when if and when it’s needed.

 

Your trusted partner for load bank testing

At Carter Sullivan, we’re a leading supplier of UPS systems and essential testing. Our load bank testing service provides bespoke analysis that’s tailored to your requirements and built around your systems.

We carry out extensive UPS Load Bank Testing that is bespoke to your operational requirements. These tests ensure that your systems are working as they should, providing complete peace of mind that your systems are working as they should.

Our comprehensive load bank testing procedure:

  • Ensures your system is working effectively.
  • Identifies potential battery failures and changes.
  • Is carried out by fully-trained, expert engineers.
  • Delivered at a time that suits you.
  • Protects you, your systems and your data.

While we hope that we don’t find any problems, but if we do, we’re here to help. Our trained engineers can fix any UPS problems that we identify, repairing or replacing your UPS.

We’re able to provide advice and guidance that will aid your future security planning, ensuring that you’re prepared today for any issues that might appear tomorrow.