Powering Industries for 50+ Years
Professional Load Bank Testing for NFPA 110 Compliance
Generator Sales, Service, & Rentals
Load Bank Testing To Ensure Generator Reliability and NFPA 110 Compliance
Owning an emergency generator is only the first step for critical facilities. The real question is, will it perform as expected during a real-world power outage? A generator that has only been run during its brief no-load monthly exercise has not been truly tested. The only way to prove that your Emergency Power Supply System (EPSS) can handle the full electrical load of your facility under the stress of a prolonged outage is through professional load bank testing.
Load bank testing is not just a best practice, it is a mandatory annual requirement for facilities governed by NFPA 110, including hospitals and data centers. It is the single most important preventative maintenance task for ensuring the reliability of your critical power system and the most effective way to prevent the common causes of generator failure.
At Generator Source, we provide nationwide load bank testing services performed by certified technicians. We help you meet compliance requirements, identify potential failures before they happen, and gain confidence in the readiness of your EPSS.
Learn more about NFPA 110
What Is Load Bank Testing?
Load bank testing is a full-scale stress test for your generator. A portable, high-capacity device called a load bank is connected to the generator’s output. This device contains resistive heating elements, similar to the coils in a large toaster. By activating these elements in stages, a technician can apply a controlled, variable, and verifiable electrical load to the generator.
This process simulates the real electrical demand of your facility in a safe and controlled manner, without disconnecting your building from the utility. The test forces the generator to work at its full capacity, revealing weaknesses in the engine, cooling system, or alternator that would not be apparent during a no-load test.
Why Load Bank Testing Is a Critical Requirement
Load bank testing is the cornerstone of a preventative maintenance program. Its importance lies in compliance, mechanical health, and full system verification.
Meeting NFPA 110 and Joint Commission Mandates
- NFPA 110, Chapter 8, requires that Level 1 EPSS units be tested annually, typically for 90 minutes or more at no less than 30% of rated load.
- Regulatory bodies such as the Joint Commission require documented proof of successful load bank testing to verify compliance.
- A failed audit due to insufficient testing can jeopardize accreditation and funding.
Preventing Diesel Engine Wet Stacking
- What it is: When a diesel engine runs under light load or no load, it fails to reach proper operating temperature. This causes incomplete combustion, leaving unburnt fuel, soot, and carbon deposits in the exhaust system.
- The consequences: Exhaust restrictions, fouled turbochargers, fire hazards, cylinder glazing, poor efficiency, and eventual engine failure.
- The cure: Load bank testing raises combustion temperatures to burn off deposits and restore proper engine health.
Verifying Cooling System Performance
- A no-load test places almost no thermal stress on the cooling system.
- Load bank testing proves that the radiator, fan, water pump, and thermostats can maintain safe operating temperature under full load.
- It helps detect hidden problems such as clogged radiators, slipping belts, or faulty thermostats.
Validating Alternator and Voltage Regulator Performance
- A load bank test ensures the alternator windings can withstand full current and heat load.
- It verifies the Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) can maintain stable voltage under changing loads, protecting sensitive electronics from voltage fluctuations.
The Load Bank Testing Process
Site Safety and Pre-Test Inspection
Technicians secure the area and inspect the EPSS, checking fluids, battery condition, and connections.
Connecting the Load Bank
Heavy-duty cables are run from the load bank to the generator’s breaker or test port, and connections are verified.
Testing Protocol
The generator is started, warmed up, and gradually loaded in stages (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). It is then held at peak test load for the required duration.
Continuous Data Monitoring
Technicians log voltage, frequency, amperage, kilowatts, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel pressure throughout the test.
Cool-Down Period
After load is removed in stages, the generator runs no-load to prevent thermal shock.
Final Report
You receive a detailed report with logged data, performance summary, and recommendations. This record provides proof of compliance for auditors and regulators.
An Investment In Certainty
Load bank testing is not an expense, it is an investment in certainty. It is the only way to ensure that your generator will perform as designed during an emergency. By identifying weaknesses under controlled conditions, you prevent failures, maintain compliance, and protect your facility’s operations. Do not wait for an outage to discover a problem. Contact Generator Source today for a quote or to schedule your annual load bank test.
👉 Schedule Your Load Bank Test
Still have questions or looking for more information?
Generator Source specializes in low-hour, used, new, and surplus generator sets. We have a wide variety of generator sizes and models to fit any project. We are not a broker, we own what we sell.
Call us today (877-866-6895) or click Contact Us to be connected with one of our experienced sales reps.
We have 350+ generators in stock and ready to ship!
