Definition
A volt-ampere (VA) is the voltage times the current feeding an electrical load. A kilovolt-ampere (kVA) is 1000 volt-amperes.
Electrical power is measured in watts (W): The voltage times the current measured each instant. In a direct current system or for resistive loads, the wattage and VA measurements will be identical. But for reactive loads, the voltage and current are out of phase and the volt-ampere spec will be greater than the wattage.
See Also
Difference Between Watts And Volts With Detailed ComparisonsDoes Light Bulb Wattage Matter? Read Our Enlightening AdviceHow Many Watts Does a TV Use?The Ultimate Guide to Volts to Watts Conversion - JackeryFor determining power, watts are appropriate. For determining capacity for the driving circuits (circuit breakers, wiring, and uninterruptible power supplies, for instance), VA is appropriate.
Synonyms
kVAFind a term alphabetically:
