"1 kV" stands for **1 kilovolt**, which is a unit of electric potential, electric potential difference (voltage), or electromotive force in the **International System of Units (SI)**.
To break it down:
* **"kilo-"** is a metric prefix meaning **1,000**.
* **"volt (V)"** is the unit of voltage named after the Italian physicist **Alessandro Volta**.
### So:
> **1 kV (kilovolt) = 1,000 volts (V)**
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### Understanding It with Context:
**Voltage** is the potential difference between two points in an electric field. It is what "pushes" electric current through a circuit. Higher voltage means more potential to move electrons or charge.
Here are a few examples to help understand where "kilovolts" might be used:
* **Household electricity (in many countries):** \~110–240 V (not kilovolts).
* **Electric car charging stations (fast charging):** Can reach up to **800 V to 1 kV**.
* **Power transmission lines:** Often use **tens or hundreds of kilovolts**, such as 110 kV, 220 kV, or even 400 kV to efficiently transmit power over long distances.
* **X-ray machines and other high-voltage equipment:** Typically use voltages in the **tens of kilovolts**, like 50–150 kV.
So, whenever you see "1 kV," just remember it's **1,000 volts**, which is a relatively high voltage, much higher than everyday electrical devices use.
Would you like examples of how 1 kV compares to common devices or systems?