Power testing solutions for the marine industry from the world’s leading loadbank manufacturer

What are loadbanks?

Loadbanks, manufactured by Crestchic Limited, provide a means to commission, test and service all types of power sources, including generators, turbines, batteries and fuel cells.

They do this by providing an electrical load which can be controlled remotely and simulate demand in real operating conditions.

Loadbanks can provide a variable resistive load (kW), a resistive/reactive load (kVA) at a variable of fixed power factor or a DC load for the discharge of batteries.

Crestchic’s loadbanks vary in size from 30kW to 6000kVA and are designed to operate at 3 phase, 50 or 60Hz. The larger units are containerised and transportable. Being modular, they can be linked together to provide loads of 50MVA and above. Normally the loads operate at 380 volts to 480 volts 50/60Hz.

To accommodate higher voltages Crestchic can supply transformers to step down the test supply to suit the loadbanks.

When efficient power generation and system proving are vital

The need for reliable back-up power in the marine environment is paramount. A loss of navigation or steering can be catastrophic. A back-up power supply that is proven to be 100% effective, first time, every time, is critical.

Many vessels built today are all-electric. A single power network is supplied by a primary energy source, which can be multiple units of diesel generators or gas turbines.

This integrated power system enables propulsion power to be diverted to on-ship requirements, such as refrigeration on cargo vessels, light, heat and air-conditioning on cruise vessels, and weapon systems on naval ships.

It is essential for the smooth operation of the complete power and propulsion system that these different loads and the way they interact with each other can be simulated and tested.

Crestchic has many years’ experience in the testing and commissioning of marine generators, from small ferries to super tankers, from conventional engines with propeller shafts to multi-unit all-electric ships. We also supply many dockyards with equipment for the new generation of warships.

We supply loadbanks to many of the world’s leading ship builders and can provide packages of 50MVA and above, including step down transformers, to simulate the most arduous conditions that might be experienced in the real environment.

Technical Details

Resistive loadbanks from 2kW to 60000kW.
Resistive/Reactive loadbanks from 250kVA to 6000kVA.
Simple manual controls or a programmable microprocessor based system using a laptop as a remote control terminal, incremental 1kW/1kVA load steps. Intelligent paralleling of loadbanks with flexible reporting using full on-screen instrumentation and print-out of test data.
Designed to operate at 3 phase 50 or 60Hz, unity (1.0) power factor (resistive) or 0.8 lagging power factor (resistive/reactive).
Standard voltages of 380 volts to 48 volts, with other voltages available.
Rated for continuous operations inn ambient temperatures of up to 50oC.
Loadbanks built into ISO/DNV type containers have fork lift pockets and twist lock corners for easy handling.
All loadbanks are built to a high industrial standard in the UK and the manufacturing processes are certified to BSEN ISO 9001.
Packaged transformers are available from 2.9MVA to 5.9MVA, oil cooled, supplied in ISO type containers with integral MV and LV switch gear. Suitable for either ‘step up’ or ‘step down’ operations at voltages from 2.5 to 15kV.