Load testing of the emergency standby generator system is a part of the standard planned maintenance program meant for all the systems. The main reason why it is necessary to test a system under the load is to ensure that the generator would perform as designed while it will be required most. Besides, this is also the true manner of checking the performance of the generator. A load bank test, whether it is mobile load bank or any other type allows the verification, which the generator will produce as well as maintain complete load without being overheated and without shutting down.
This also allows testing all the components of the system, to make it sure that all the things work together as intended and designed and can also help to identify the potential weaknesses in the controlled conditions. Apart from that, this thing also allows proactive maintenance as the weaknesses are identified during the controlled conditions and not during the utility outrage while only one weakness can lead the system to fail.
Sometimes, the load can come from the building load, but this thing may cause the business interruptions while transferring from the utility to the generator. But this also doesn’t allow the load to be applied in the steps, where the performance can be monitored and then recorded.
The majority of the generator systems are designed to exercise on a daily basis. But generally, this exercise period is under very little or no load. So, monitoring the exercise period is also necessary to make sure that the generator starts and operates as it is programmed. But this doesn’t ensure that the generator would only operate as designed.
In most of the cases, the generators are installed and therefore put into the automatic mode. This way, as the generator ages, the chance of weaknesses in the system rises. Other potential enemies that can negatively affect the effectiveness of the generator system are age, pests and weather. Therefore, a properly planned maintenance program, which includes load testing is considered to be the best method to detect as well as minimize the potential weaknesses in any generator system.
So, in conclusion, it can be said that a perfectly planned maintenance program, which includes regular load testing works as a standard component of the generator system. So, regular testing of the system would offer the highest comfort level that while the system is needed, this will operate as planned.
