Load banks are used in aviation for testing and maintaining the functionality of aircraft power systems, particularly their electrical and auxiliary power units (APUs). They provide a controlled and simulated load that mimics the power requirements of aircraft systems during various operational scenarios.
Why are load banks are used in aviation?:
- Testing Power Systems: Aircraft power systems, including main engines, APUs, and other electrical systems, need to be regularly tested to ensure they function correctly and can provide the required power during different phases of flight. Load banks allow for controlled testing of these systems without the need for actual flight or ground power connections.
- Simulating Real-World Conditions: Load banks simulate real-world conditions by providing a range of electrical loads that an aircraft might experience during flight. This allows engineers and technicians to assess the performance of power systems under different scenarios, such as takeoff, cruise, landing, and emergency situations.
- Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Load banks are used for maintenance purposes, helping to identify potential issues or malfunctions in power systems. By subjecting the power systems to different loads, technicians can detect anomalies, assess component performance, and troubleshoot problems before they become critical.
- Load Shedding Testing: Load shedding is a critical safety feature in aircraft power systems. It involves shedding non-essential loads during emergencies to ensure that essential systems receive adequate power. They allow for testing these load shedding processes to ensure that critical systems remain operational even under challenging conditions.
- APU Testing: Aircraft have auxiliary power units (APUs) that provide electrical power when the main engines are not running. Load banks are used to simulate the electrical loads that an APU would encounter while providing power to various aircraft systems.
- Certification and Compliance: Aircraft and their systems need to meet regulatory standards and certifications. Testing can be part of the certification process, demonstrating that power systems meet safety and performance requirements.
- Battery Testing: Aircraft batteries, such as those used for emergency power and starting engines, are tested using load banks to evaluate their capacity, performance, and overall health.
- System Upgrades: When aircraft systems are upgraded or modified, testing can verify that the new components or systems meet specifications and function properly under different load conditions.
- Training: Load bank testing is also used for training purposes, providing technicians and engineers with hands-on experience in handling power systems, diagnosing issues, and interpreting test results.
In essence, they play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and functionality of aircraft power systems by subjecting them to controlled and representative loads. This testing helps identify potential problems, optimize performance, and meet regulatory standards.
Choose HSM Aviation for your Load Bank Needs
HSM Aviation supply a range of resistive AC and DC load banks designed to test ground power units. Manufactured in lightweight, compact aluminium housing, our rugged load banks provide a contained, organized and fully controllable load, with the highest quality components.
If you have any questions regarding our ground support equipment and aviation load banks, please contact our friendly team today on +1 (770) 962-6188, or email us at info@hsmaviation.com, and we will be happy to help.