The Resistive Load consists of a module housing nine wire-wound power resistors arranged in three identical banks. Each bank consists of three resistors connected in parallel that can be switched on or off with toggle switches to obtain various resistance values. This allows the total (equivalent) resistance of each bank to be increased or decreased by steps. Six safety banana jacks on the module front panel provide access to each resistor bank. The three resistor banks can be connected separately for operation in three-phase circuits. Also, the three resistor banks can be connected together for operation in single-phase circuits.

The Resistive Load is commonly used in conjunction with other basic load modules, like the Inductive Load and the Capacitive Load to experiment with the effects of different types of loads on a circuit.