Regenerative Power Protection
Load banks with Regenerative Power sensing, will be on-line whenever the generator runs. It provides a dual function: to maintain a minimum load on the generator at all times consistent with recommended operating practices for diesel engine generators sets and to provide a load sink for regenerative power from inertial loads (such as elevators, ski lifts, cranes).
As a load sink for regenerative power, the load bank would be active during periods when the facility loads exclusive of the inertial loads were relatively light and therefore unavailable as a sink for regenerative power. This would be a situation typical of nighttimes when the only building loads other than the elevators may be exit lights.
By providing for minimum generator loading, the load bank insures that a minimum value of load is always on the generator and hence insures that power direction should never transition through zero to reverse power. Whenever generator load is less than the minimum load set point of the sensors, load will be added to the generator by the load bank.
When load exceeds the maximum set point, the load bank will step-down to remove load. In the event that reverse power is sensed, the load bank will automatically and instantaneously apply additional load to verify that reverse power is not absorbed by the generator.
Load banks with this option may also be operated manually for service, set-up or as a back-up and when used to exercise/test/adjust/maintain the diesel generator set.