1. What is kVA?

kVA (kilovolt-ampere) is a unit of apparent power in an electrical circuit. It represents the total power in an AC circuit, combining both the real power (kW) and reactive power (kVAR).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( S \) — Apparent power (kVA)
• \( I \) — Current (Amperes)
• \( V \) — Voltage (Volts)

Explanation: The formula calculates apparent power by multiplying current and voltage, then dividing by 1000 to convert to kVA.

3. Importance of kVA Calculation

Details: kVA is crucial for sizing electrical equipment like transformers, generators, and UPS systems. It helps determine the capacity needed to handle both the real and reactive power in a system.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes (A) and voltage in volts (V). All values must be valid (current > 0, voltage > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kW and kVA?
A: kW represents real power (actual power consumed), while kVA represents apparent power (total power in the circuit including reactive components).

Q2: When should I use kVA instead of kW?
A: Use kVA when sizing electrical equipment like transformers and generators, as they must handle the total apparent power.

Q3: How does power factor affect kVA?
A: Power factor (PF) relates kVA to kW: kW = kVA × PF. Lower power factor means more kVA is needed for the same kW load.

Q4: Is this formula valid for three-phase systems?
A: For three-phase systems, multiply by √3 (approximately 1.732) to account for phase relationships.

Q5: Why divide by 1000?
A: Dividing by 1000 converts the result from VA (volt-amperes) to kVA (kilovolt-amperes), which is a more practical unit for most applications.