Power Supplies and Dummy Loads

An electrical load used to represent the load that will be used in the final application. Usually connected temporarily for test purposes.

Dummy load is used in some cases to prevent generating unit overspeed.

Google turbine overspeed , dummy load.

Regards JD.

We might use a dummy load when operating a generator to run a set of lights to balance the phases.

Say I am running a 5K on one phase to light the set with a Key Light, and then on another phase a set of backlights, and some of the set and maybe have standbys, I might have an imbalance on the phases.

So then I may put something like a 9 light on the unused phase and run that away from any use other than for balancing the phases, so as not to hurt the genny.

Reason I might use the 9 light is that I can adjust the waste load, or dummy load by turning on or off the individual lamps in the housing as the situation might change.

Replies to date indicate that you haven't given enough background information - context - for your question. A dummy load could also be a lump of metal (for a mass load) or a bucket of water (for a mass or fluid load) etc., depending on the system to which you're referring (things I overlooked).

The most common use of this term is for transmitter loading in the absence of an antenna.

Transmitters require their proper antenna to be attached for full power operation. The antenna has a characteristic impedance and the transmitter also has a characteristic impedance and there is a transmission line beteen the two that also matches this impedance. To test and tune the transmitter and in manufacturing they often use a dummy load to represent the load of the line and the antenna. The dummy load is capable of accepting the full power of the transmitter, either continuously or for a time. They can be air/oil/water cooled and range in power to 100,000 watts of more.

Most are used in the ham radio community and they range from 5 watts to 1000 watts.

It simulates the actual loads being put on the Supply under tst.

These may be automatic to produce varying environments or cheaper way to change one type after the other, but this will not be a dynamic test load system.

Astonished !

The posters usually logged in as Guest put a question & forgets to read the replies, & people continue to discuss mutually while the Guest-Poster remains indifferent to the discussion.