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 kVA formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• 1000 — Conversion factor to kilovolts

Explanation: The formula calculates apparent power by multiplying current and voltage, then converting to kilovolt-amperes.

3. Importance of kVA Calculation

Details: kVA is crucial for sizing transformers, generators, and other electrical equipment. It helps determine the capacity needed for electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the apparent power in kVA.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kVA and kW?
A: kVA measures apparent power (total power), while kW measures real power (actual usable power). They differ by the power factor (kW = kVA × PF).

Q2: Why use kVA instead of amps?
A: kVA accounts for both voltage and current, providing a more complete measure of power capacity in AC systems.

Q3: Is this calculation valid for both single-phase and three-phase systems?
A: This simple formula is for single-phase systems. Three-phase calculations require an additional factor (√3 for balanced loads).

Q4: How does power factor affect kVA?
A: Power factor doesn't change the kVA value but determines what portion is real power (kW). Lower power factor means more current is needed for the same real power.

Q5: When would I need to convert amps to kVA?
A: When sizing electrical equipment like transformers, UPS systems, or generators where capacity is rated in kVA rather than amps.