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, including both real power (kW) and reactive power (kVAR).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the single phase formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This formula calculates the apparent power in a single-phase AC electrical system by multiplying current and voltage, then converting to kilovolt-amperes.

3. Importance of kVA Calculation

Details: kVA calculation is essential for sizing electrical equipment, determining power requirements, ensuring proper circuit protection, and calculating electrical system capacity.

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). The ratio between them is the power factor.

Q2: Is this formula for single-phase or three-phase systems?
A: This calculator uses the single-phase formula. For three-phase systems, the formula is different: kVA = (I × V × √3) / 1000.

Q3: When should I use kVA instead of kW?
A: Use kVA for sizing transformers, generators, and other electrical equipment where apparent power is more relevant than real power.

Q4: What is power factor and how does it relate to kVA?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA). It indicates how effectively electrical power is being used.

Q5: Can I use this for DC circuits?
A: For DC circuits, power is simply calculated as P = V × I (in watts), so kVA would be the same as kW since there's no reactive power in DC.