A load bank is a device. It develops an electrical load, applies the load to an electrical power source and converts or dissipates the resultant power output of the source. The purpose of a load bank is to accurately mimic the operational or real load that a power source will see in actual application. However, unlike the real load, which is likely to be dispersed, unpredictable and random in value, a load bank provides a contained, organized and fully controllable load. Consequently, a load bank can be further defined as a self-contained, unitized, systematic device that includes load elements with control and accessory devices required for operation. Load banks are used in a variety of applications, including factory testing of engine diesel generator sets, To reduce wet stacking problems and Periodic exercising of stand-by engine generator sets.

Load Buttons are available for compression loading applications with universal and fatigue rated load cells. The buttons are designed with a radius on the contact surface to accommodate small angular mis-alignments of the applied load with respect to the load cell. Load buttons are designed to direct applied forces to the measuring axis of a load cell used in compression.

Load Cell is a transducer that converts load acting on it into an analog electrical signal. This conversion is achieved by the physical deformation of strain gages, which are bonded into the load cell beam and wired into a wheatstone bridge configuration. A load cell converts force into a measurable electrical output.