When your facility's backup generator fails during a power outage, the consequences can be devastating. For this reason, Wolverine Power Systems specializes in comprehensive generator load bank testing that ensures your critical power systems are always ready to protect your operations. Moreover, our services are specifically designed for facility managers and plant operators who understand that preventive maintenance isn't optional—it's essential for business continuity.
With over three decades of experience serving Michigan's industrial and commercial sectors, we've become the trusted partner for facilities that can't afford downtime. In fact, our certified technicians perform load bank testing on generators ranging from 20kW to 3000kW+, ensuring compliance with NFPA 110, NFPA 99, and NEC Article 700 requirements that govern emergency power systems.
Most facility managers discover generator problems at the worst possible moment—during an actual power outage. However, regular load bank testing identifies issues before they become catastrophic failures. Specifically, our testing simulates real-world electrical loads on your generator, revealing problems that standard no-load or light-load testing simply cannot detect.
Additionally, many insurance providers now require documented load bank testing for commercial properties. Therefore, maintaining compliance not only protects your equipment but also ensures your coverage remains valid when you need it most.
Before applying any load, our technicians conduct a thorough visual inspection of your generator, transfer switch, and electrical distribution system. Subsequently, we check fluid levels, belt tension, battery condition, and fuel quality to ensure your system is ready for testing.
We start your generator and record baseline readings including voltage, frequency, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and exhaust characteristics. Meanwhile, this establishes normal operating parameters for comparison during load testing.
Using our calibrated resistive load banks (25kW to 2000kW capacity), we apply electrical load in 25% increments. Specifically, we hold each load level for a minimum of 30 minutes as required by NFPA 110 standards. During this time, we continuously monitor all systems for any signs of stress or malfunction.
Once we reach 100% rated capacity, we maintain that load for at least two hours. Consequently, this extended test reveals issues with fuel delivery, cooling capacity, and overall system endurance that shorter tests cannot identify.
After completing the load test, we allow your generator to cool down gradually while monitoring for abnormalities. Finally, we provide a comprehensive written report with all test data, observations, and recommendations for any corrective actions needed.
Our emergency generator technicians have specialized experience across diverse industries, which enables us to understand the unique power requirements and operational constraints of each sector. Consequently, this industry-specific knowledge allows us to provide more effective emergency service and faster problem resolution.
Hospitals, surgery centers, dialysis clinics, medical refrigeration, life support systems, emergency lighting.
Assembly lines, CNC operations, automated systems, process control equipment requiring uninterrupted power.
Mission-critical power with N+1 reduServer farms, cloud hosting facilities, telecommunications hubs, network operations centers, UPS systems.ndancy and monitoring
Elementary, middle and high schools, universities, and research facilities
Water treatment plants, sewage systems, government buildings, emergency services, public safety facilities.
Hotels, casinos and other guest comforts for safety with quiet, efficient generators
Dairy operations, livestock facilities, grain dryers, irrigation systems, climate-controlled barns.
Refrigerated warehouses, food manufacturing plants, blast freezers, temperature-controlled facilities.
Office towers, shopping centers, hotels, apartment complexes, mixed-use developments, retail operations.
Single-family homes, estates, rural properties, backup power for medical equipment, home offices.
Solutions for virtually any industry that cannot be without power
Wolverine Power Systems has four strategically located facilities to ensure rapid response and comprehensive service coverage throughout Michigan, from Detroit's urban core to Grand Rapids' tech hubs, Lansing's government buildings, and Flint's industrial zones. We understand Michigan's unique power challenges—extreme weather, regulatory needs, and 24/7 demands.
Full sales, service, parts, and rentals. Authorized Generac generator training center.
NFPA 110 requires annual load bank testing for Level 1 emergency power supply systems (hospitals, life safety). However, we recommend testing every 6-12 months for all commercial generators, especially those that run infrequently or operate at light loads. Furthermore, generators that primarily run light loads should be tested more frequently to prevent wet stacking.
A complete NFPA 110-compliant load bank test typically takes 4-6 hours for most commercial generators. This includes setup, progressive load application, sustained full-load testing (minimum 2 hours), cool-down, and documentation. Nevertheless, larger generators (1000kW+) or those requiring reactive load testing may need additional time.
Resistive load banks test your generator's ability to produce real power (measured in kW) and are suitable for most applications. Conversely, reactive load banks add power factor testing (kVAR) which simulates inductive loads like motors and transformers. Facilities with significant motor loads should request reactive testing for complete system validation.
While possible in some configurations, we typically recommend testing separately from your actual facility loads. This approach allows for controlled, documented testing without risking your operations. However, we can coordinate with your team to develop a testing protocol that meets your specific operational requirements.
If we identify issues during testing, we'll immediately inform you of the findings and severity. Subsequently, our technicians can often diagnose the problem on-site and provide repair recommendations. For Michigan facilities requiring immediate resolution, we offer emergency repair services to restore your backup power capabilities quickly.
Absolutely. In fact, prime power generators (those running continuously rather than for emergency backup) benefit greatly from periodic load bank testing. This ensures they maintain efficiency, identifies component wear before failures occur, and validates generator capacity as facility loads change over time.
Indeed, monitoring benefits facilities of all sizes. Even smaller generators protecting critical operations like medical offices, pharmacies, or telecommunications sites gain significant value from early problem detection. Furthermore, the cost of monitoring is minimal compared to emergency service calls or business disruption from unexpected generator failures.
Load bank testing is critical for commercial generators because it's the only way to verify performance under actual operating conditions. This testing helps identify issues like wet stacking in diesel generators, validates your system can handle its rated capacity, exercises the generator to prevent component deterioration, and confirms your runtime expectations are realistic. We recommend annual load bank testing for most commercial applications.
When your facility's operations depend on reliable backup power, you need a testing partner with proven expertise and Michigan-focused service. That's exactly what Wolverine Power Systems delivers. For over 30 years, we've helped facility managers and plant operators across Michigan maintain code-compliant, high-performance generator systems.
Whether you're scheduling routine maintenance for a single generator or need comprehensive testing for multiple units across several locations, our team has the equipment, expertise, and commitment to excellence you deserve. Call us today to discuss your specific requirements and discover why Michigan's most demanding facilities trust us with their critical power systems.
