Editing Dummy load (section)

==Power supplies==
There are also dummy loads for power supplies, known as [[load bank]]s. These may be used, for example, for factory and in-service testing of standby generators.  A load bank may be used to stabilize a power system in case of loss of load, for example, on an isolated wind or mini-hydro plant.

An '''electronic load''' (or '''e-load''') is a device or assembly that simulates [[electrical load|loading]] on an electronic circuit.
It is used as substitute for a conventional ohmic load resistor.
[[Image:ZS Lasten 01 klein.JPG|thumb|Electronic loads with 800W and 4200W from Höcherl & Hackl]]

As counterpart to a [[current source]], the electronic load is a '''current sink'''. When loading a current source with a fixed resistor one can set one determined load current by the connected load resistor. The characteristic of the electronic load is that the load current can be set and varied in a defined range. The load current is regulated electronically.

The electronic load consumes [[electric energy]] and in most cases transforms it into [[heat]]. Fans or water-cooled elements are used as coolers. Under certain conditions, energy-recycling into the public power supply system is also possible.

Electronic loads are used in diverse applications, particularly for the test of [[power supply|power supplies]], [[electric battery|batteries]], [[solar cell|solar]] and [[fuel cell]]s, [[Electrical generator|generator]]s. AC loads are used to test [[transformer]]s, [[uninterruptible power supply|uninterruptible power supplies]] (UPS) or [[onboard power supply|onboard power supplies]].
The equipment and power spectrum of such electronic loads begins with simplest circuits consisting in general of a potentiometer for current setting and a transistor circuit for power transforming. Further developed electronic loads supply several operating modes, in most cases constant current, voltage, power and resistance. Nowadays, the equipment may be controlled by a [[Programmable logic controller|PLC]] or remotely by a PC. Settings and measured values such as input voltage and actual load current are indicated on a display.