The Applications and Importance of Trailer Mounted Load Banks
What Are Trailer Mounted Load Banks?
In today’s increasingly power-dependent world, the ability to test and validate power systems quickly and reliably is more important than ever. Trailer mounted load banks offer a flexible and mobile solution for verifying the performance of generators, UPS systems, turbines, and other power sources in a wide range of environments. Their robust design and high mobility make them invaluable tools for commissioning, maintenance, and emergency response across industries.
Trailer mounted load banks are self-contained systems designed to simulate electrical loads for testing and maintenance purposes. Mounted on highway-legal trailers, these units are easy to transport, deploy, and operate in various locations — from data centers and hospitals to remote industrial sites and utility substations. They are typically rated between 100 kW and 3000 kW or more and can include resistive, inductive, and capacitive elements depending on the testing needs.
Key Applications
1. Generator Testing and Commissioning
Before a backup generator is declared mission-ready, it must undergo load testing. Trailer mounted load banks allow operators to perform full kW load tests to ensure generators can handle expected demand under real operating conditions.
2. UPS System Verification
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems are critical in data centers, hospitals, and telecom infrastructure. Load banks simulate actual loads to verify UPS battery autonomy and inverter functionality without risking real-world equipment.
3. Preventive Maintenance
Regular load bank testing helps identify potential issues like wet-stacking in diesel generators, battery degradation, or uneven phase loading. By identifying these issues early, operators can prevent costly downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
4. Load Profiling and Power Quality Analysis
Some trailer mounted units integrate with control and monitoring systems to support detailed load profiling, voltage/frequency stability analysis, and harmonics monitoring—essential for validating power system performance under dynamic loads.
5. Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery
When a site goes down due to natural disaster or power grid failure, trailer mounted load banks can be rapidly deployed to test temporary power systems before reconnection to the load.
Advantages & Use Cases
Mobility
Easily towed to the load test site when required.
Rapid Deployment
No waiting for transport deployment and shipping. Organize a load test at a moments notice.
Scalable
Use multiple units connected together to increase the available load test capacity.
Reduced Downtime
Fast setup and teardown minimize operational disruptions during scheduled maintenance.
Data Centers
For new installations or after electrical upgrades, trailer load banks validate generator and UPS performance under simulated IT load conditions.
Microgrid
In microgrid applications—where power generation sources like solar, wind, batteries, and diesel generators work in tandem—load banks play a vital role in system commissioning and performance validation.
Commercial
High-rise office buildings, retail centers, and large mixed-use developments increasingly rely on backup generation and UPS systems. Trailer mounted load banks provide a fast, non-invasive way to test these systems during off-hours or scheduled downtime.
Hospitals
Regular testing ensures backup power performs reliably during life-critical outages.
Avtron Trailer Mounted Load Banks - Features & Benefits
Click the hotspots below to see the features of an Avtron 5000 SERIES Load Bank.
Quick Connect Cable Receptacles
allows for quick and safe load
connection on some models.
Main Load Bus and Control Area are bolted on
and hinged for accessing load contactors,
branch fusing, and input bus bars.
Branch Circuit Fuse Protection limits fault
current and protects components during
phase-to-phase or phase-toground shorts.
Hinged Panel provides main
load bus access.
Local Control Monitoring Panel housed
in a rugged enclosure with hinged door,
system control, and digital monitoring
provide straight-forward, logical operation.
Aluminized Steel Construction with Powder Coat
Paint Finish provides superior heat deflection
and corrosion protection.
Louvered hot air stream exhaust.
Adjustable Louvers for intake and exhaust
open and close with a simple swing handle.
They lock securely in open and closed
positions with a locking pin.
Cool Air Intake Louver allows cool
airintake and prevents damage from
foreign objects.
Integral Blower Motor and Fan
Blades provide proper cooling
airflow and motor circuit protection.
Control Enclosure Vents allow proper
ventilation in the control area.
Optional Motorized Cable Reels
and a wide variety of cable
storage options are available.
Optional DOT-Legal Trailer
provides proper tongue weight.
Conclusion
Trailer mounted load banks are essential tools in the modern power testing ecosystem. Their versatility, transportability, and high-capacity testing capabilities make them indispensable for engineers, facility managers, and power service providers. Whether verifying a generator installation or conducting annual maintenance on a backup power fleet, trailer mounted load banks deliver confidence in performance, compliance, and uptime.
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