Microgrid & Distributed Energy Equipment worked example

Factory Acceptance Test Energy with connected test load of 6 kW: a worked example

This worked example runs the factory acceptance test energy numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: connected test load of 6 kW instead of the typical 12 kW. Estimate the electricity used and cost to run factory acceptance testing (FAT) on microgrid and distributed energy equipment, so teams can budget test-bay energy, compare load-bank setups, or include it in the quote.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Connected test load: 6 kW (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 12)
  • FAT runtime: 8 hr (held at the documented default)
  • Blended electricity rate: 0.12 $ / kWh (held at the documented default)
  • Units tested: 1,000 units (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Total FAT energy cost = connected test load × FAT runtime × blended electricity rate.
  • FAT energy used works out to 48 kWh at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Total FAT energy cost works out to 5.76 $ at these inputs.
  • Energy cost per unit tested works out to 0.01 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Hourly FAT energy cost works out to 0.72 $ / hr at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where connected test load sits at 12 kW and the headline result is 96 kWh, this scenario comes in 50% below the baseline at 48 kWh.
  • Use it when quoting a build, sizing your test bay's power and metering, or comparing FAT energy across product lines and shifts. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • FAT energy used: 48 kWh (headline result)
  • Total FAT energy cost: 5.76 $
  • Energy cost per unit tested: 0.01 $ / piece
  • Hourly FAT energy cost: 0.72 $ / hr

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Factory Acceptance Test Energy calculator, set connected test load to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.