Load Bank Testing · Gauteng
Load Bank Testing.
Know Before You Need It.
Load bank testing proves your generator can deliver its rated output before a real outage tests it for you. We step the set up to full load, record voltage, frequency and temperature at every stage and give you the readings in writing. A load bank test typically costs R2,800 to R5,500.
Callout fee waived when you accept our written quote. 1-year workmanship guarantee. See prices
- Stepped load up to rated kVA
- Voltage, frequency and temperature recorded
- Written record of every reading
- Standby diesel and commercial sets
The Service
Why Load Bank Testing Matters
Load bank testing proves your standby generator can carry its rated load before a real outage asks it to. Most standby sets only ever run on short test starts and the odd outage, so they rarely see full load. Faults build up quietly and appear under heavy load, which is exactly when you need the set most.
A load bank is a controlled electrical load that we connect to your generator. We step it through 50%, 75% and 100% of the rating while we watch voltage, frequency, temperature, fuel delivery and how the engine behaves. The readings show you whether the set delivers the power on its plate.
A loaded run also helps a diesel that has suffered from wet stacking, the unburnt fuel that builds up in the exhaust when a set never works hard. Our lead technician, Charlie, holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Degree in Electrical Engineering and is a Diesel Plant Fitter, so we read the engine and the alternator results together.
You get a written record of each step and every reading for your maintenance file. Our cost guide puts load bank testing at R2,800 to R5,500, and your written quote confirms the price for your set. We book tests for a time that suits your site, including evenings and weekends.
When did you last test?
Book a load bank test and know your generator is ready.
Testing Stages
Stepped Load Testing to Full Capacity
- 50%
Half-load test
We warm the set up at half load and watch voltage, frequency and temperature settle as the engine stabilises.
- 75%
Three-quarter load
We raise the load to 75% of the rating and check fuel delivery, cooling and output stability.
- 100%
Full rated capacity
We run the set at its full rated kVA. This is where capacity shortfalls, voltage droop and overheating show up.
What We Monitor
Measured and documented at every stage
01
Output voltage stability
We measure voltage as the load rises and check that it stays within limits at every stage.
02
Frequency regulation
We check engine speed and governor response so the frequency holds as the load changes.
03
Thermal performance
We track coolant, oil and exhaust temperatures for the whole test, because cooling faults often appear only after a long loaded run.
04
Loaded running
A sustained loaded run helps burn off the deposits that light-load running leaves in a diesel exhaust.
05
Fuel consumption rate
We measure fuel burn at rated load and compare it with the manufacturer’s figures for your engine.
06
Readings from the test
You get every step and reading in writing, ready for your maintenance file or the next technician.
Common Questions
Load bank testing — questions
What is generator load bank testing?
Load bank testing runs your generator against a controlled electrical load so we can watch voltage, frequency, cooling and the engine together. A five-minute idle cannot show those faults.
Why test a standby generator under load?
Standby sets often pass a light test and then fail when the building transfers. A load test shows up blocked radiators, weak fuel delivery and voltage that will not hold, while you still have time to fix them.
How much does a load bank test cost?
Our cost guide puts load bank testing at R2,800 to R5,500. The price depends on the size of the set and the access, and your written quote confirms it before we book.
Can load testing find a cooling problem?
Yes. Temperature faults often appear only after the set has carried load for a while, which is one of the main reasons to run the test.
Is a load test the same as a service?
No. A service covers oil, filters and an inspection. A load test proves how the set behaves under load. Many customers book the two together because each one tells you something the other cannot.
Can I load the generator by switching the building myself?
No. Switching live boards to create a load risks your equipment and the set. We connect a load bank safely, or plan a building transfer with you in advance.
What do you need from me to book a load test?
Send the kVA from the data plate, the fuel type, where the set stands and how we get a load bank to it. We plan the test around your site and quote in writing.
Still unsure what the fault is? Call or WhatsApp 082 057 4605 for onsite diagnosis.
Related Services
Other generator services
- Load Testing Guide What a loaded test is checking
- Trips Under Load Runs until a real load is applied
- Commercial Generator Repairs Offices, retail and complexes
- Industrial Generator Repairs Larger diesel capacity checks
- Commercial Servicing & Maintenance Load tests in a business maintenance plan
- Industrial Servicing & Maintenance Load bank cadence for factory plant
- Generator Servicing Oil, filters, full inspection
- Generator Maintenance Scheduled visits and records
- Generator Repairs Starting, fuel, electrical and control faults
- Fuel System Repairs Injectors & pumps
Service Areas
Load bank testing across Gauteng
Load bank testing is available across all Gauteng areas including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sandton, Midrand, Centurion, Randburg, Roodepoort, Kempton Park, Boksburg, Benoni, Germiston, Alberton, Fourways, and surrounding regions.
Book a Load Test
Need Load Bank Testing?
Send the kVA, the fuel and where the set stands. We book your load bank test for a time that suits the site and give you written readings that show whether the generator can deliver when it matters.
- Call
- 082 057 4605
- Message us on WhatsApp
What happens next
- We reply with questions about the generator, or to book a visit.
- A technician comes to you. For a breakdown we arrive within 1 hour.
- The fault is diagnosed on site and you get a written quote. No work starts until you accept it.
Charlie, lead technician: Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Degree in Electrical Engineering, Diesel Plant Fitter. Generator specialists since 2000.