Resistive load banks dissipate power using resistive heating elements at unity power factor (PF=1). They simulate purely resistive loads like electric heating and incandescent lighting. They are ideal for generator testing, UPS validation, and battery discharge testing.
RL combined load banks add inductive (reactive) components to simulate real-world loads that include motors, transformers, and other inductive equipment. They operate at a lagging power factor (typically PF=0.8), which is the standard condition for most industrial generators under normal operation. This makes RL load banks essential for accurate generator commissioning and power factor testing.