Definition

Noun: A kilovolt-ampere is a unit of apparent electrical power, equal to one thousand (1000) volt-amperes. It is commonly used to rate the capacity of electrical equipment like transformers and generators.

Usage

The term is used in electrical engineering to specify power ratings. It represents the product of the root-mean-square (RMS) voltage and current in an alternating current (AC) circuit. - The transformer has a rating of 500 kilovolt-amperes. - The generator's capacity is measured in kilovolt-ampere units.

Advanced Usage

• Symbol: The standard symbol for kilovolt-ampere is kVA.
  • The nameplate on the device lists its rating as 250 kVA.
• Context: It is crucial for sizing electrical infrastructure, as it indicates the total power that must be supplied, which includes both the real power (measured in kilowatts) and the reactive power.
  • The engineer calculated the required kilovolt-ampere load for the new factory.

Variants and Related Words

• Volt-ampere (VA): The base unit. One kilovolt-ampere equals 1000 volt-amperes.
• Kilowatt (kW): A unit of real (or active) electrical power. The relationship between kVA and kW depends on the power factor of the circuit.

Synonyms

• kVA (the standard abbreviation and functional synonym in technical contexts).

Related Terms and Concepts

• Apparent Power: The total power in an AC circuit, for which the kilovolt-ampere is a unit of measurement.
• Power Factor: A dimensionless number between 0 and 1 that represents the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA).

Noun

1. a unit of electrical power equal to 1000 volt-amperes