What does the term "kVA" stand for?

The term "kVA" stands for Kilovolt-amps, which represents a unit of apparent power in an electrical circuit. Apparent power is a measure of the total power flowing in an electrical system, combining both active power (real power) and reactive power. This is crucial for understanding how much electrical power is being used in a circuit, particularly in AC (alternating current) systems, where both voltage and current can have phase differences.

Using kVA allows for the assessment of the capacity of transformers and generators, and when sizing electrical components, it helps ensure that systems operate efficiently without overloading. It's important to differentiate between kVA and kW (kilowatts), as kVA measures apparent power while kW measures real power that performs work in the circuit. Understanding these distinctions is essential for effective electrical system design and analysis.