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I am trying to create a plug in Load simulator for 120v circuits. I want to know what resistor to use to simulate 18.75 amps, 25 amps, 15 amps, 20 amps, 12 amps and 16 amps. I would love to make a device that I can plug into a wall to simulate a load. I have a design in mind for it but I was looking to see if anyone could help me figure out what resistors I would need for my project.. I sincerely appreciate the advice in advance!
Need advice to create a Load Simulator for 15 amp and 20 amp 120 volt circuits.
- Thread starter MojoShaw
- Start date
Buy a selection of heaters, especially ones with no thermostats and several different heat output switches.
The elements are usually nichrome, so the resistance is stable with temperature, and they will be far cheaper than buying resistors, and working out how to cool them.
The elements are usually nichrome, so the resistance is stable with temperature, and they will be far cheaper than buying resistors, and working out how to cool them.
how would a use something like in a hand held device? do I remove the heating elements? are you referring to a space heater?
Yes, just a conventional room heater. I prefer oil-filled radiators like this one.
120V @25a is never going to be a hand-held device.
I do a lot of power testing. For 100W to 500W I use filament lamps. For 500W to 2500W I use an oil-filled raidator, and for 2.5kW to 200kW I use a three-phase load-bank, which is as big as a deep-freeze, and needs brakes on its castors otherwise the cooling fans propel it across the floor.
MisterBill2
- Joined Jan 23, 2018
- 27,164
What the TS is asking for is not a load simulator, but an actual load. If it were "a hand held device"the TS would rapidly learn how nasty third degrees on the hand can be.
Consider that 20 amps and 120 volts will deliver 2400 watts of heat. (P=VxI=120x20) =2400 watts, which in a small volume will produce a very large temperature rise. My 150 watt soldering iron will melt solder very well, and heat a lot of copper to a temperature hotter that that melted solder. Which will burn a hand if you grab it.
My point being the warning that lots of power in a small volume produces a large temperature rise. No way around that.
Consider that 20 amps and 120 volts will deliver 2400 watts of heat. (P=VxI=120x20) =2400 watts, which in a small volume will produce a very large temperature rise. My 150 watt soldering iron will melt solder very well, and heat a lot of copper to a temperature hotter that that melted solder. Which will burn a hand if you grab it.
My point being the warning that lots of power in a small volume produces a large temperature rise. No way around that.
