Regenerative AC load
What Is a Regenerative AC Load?
A regenerative AC load tests devices that provide AC voltage at their output. It applies reproducible static and dynamic load conditions to AC power supplies, UPS outputs, inverters and grid simulators.
At the device-under-test connection, the load controls not only an average value but a defined current waveform. It can therefore emulate a resistive load, the pulsed input current of a rectifier, inductive or capacitive loads, and defined load transients.
Depending on the instrument, tests can be performed in constant current, constant power or constant resistance mode. For nonlinear load profiles, the power factor, crest factor and phase angle also determine the current waveform. This makes it possible to verify whether the device under test maintains its output voltage during load changes, how quickly its control loop responds, and when overcurrent, overload or shutdown functions are triggered.
Its defining feature is energy recovery: Instead of dissipating most of the active power absorbed from the device under test as heat, as a resistive or RLC load bank would, the regenerative AC load feeds it back into the power grid through a grid-tied converter. This reduces heat generation and cooling requirements during continuous operation and high-power testing. Key selection criteria include the number of phases, voltage, current, power and frequency ranges, as well as regeneration efficiency, control dynamics and interfaces.
Further information and suitable products can be found in our webshop in the category Electronic Loads.