An electronic load (or e-load) is a device or assembly that simulates loading on an electronic circuit. It is used as substitute for a conventional ohmic load resistor. 

As counterpart to a current source, the electronic load is a current sink. When loading a current source with a fixed resistor one can set one determined load current by the connected load resistor. 

The characteristic of the electronic load is that the load current can be set and varied in a defined range. The load current is regulated electronically. The electronic load consumes electric energy and in most cases transforms it into heat.