1 Answer
No, 1 kVA (kilovolt-ampere) is not always equal to 1 kW (kilowatt).
Here’s the difference:
- **kVA (kilovolt-ampere)** is a unit of **apparent power**. It represents the total power in an AC (alternating current) circuit, combining both the real power and the reactive power.
- **kW (kilowatt)** is a unit of **real power**. It represents the actual power that is used to perform work in an electrical system.
The relationship between kVA and kW depends on the **power factor (pf)** of the system. The formula is:
\[
\text{kW} = \text{kVA} \times \text{Power Factor (pf)}
\]
- If the power factor is **1** (which means the system is purely resistive with no reactive power), then 1 kVA = 1 kW.
- If the power factor is less than 1 (which is common in systems with inductive or capacitive loads), 1 kVA will be greater than 1 kW.
For example, if the power factor is 0.8, then:
\[
1 \, \text{kVA} \times 0.8 = 0.8 \, \text{kW}
\]
So, **1 kVA = 1 kW** only when the power factor is 1, which typically happens in ideal or purely resistive systems.
Here’s the difference:
- **kVA (kilovolt-ampere)** is a unit of **apparent power**. It represents the total power in an AC (alternating current) circuit, combining both the real power and the reactive power.
- **kW (kilowatt)** is a unit of **real power**. It represents the actual power that is used to perform work in an electrical system.
The relationship between kVA and kW depends on the **power factor (pf)** of the system. The formula is:
\[
\text{kW} = \text{kVA} \times \text{Power Factor (pf)}
\]
- If the power factor is **1** (which means the system is purely resistive with no reactive power), then 1 kVA = 1 kW.
- If the power factor is less than 1 (which is common in systems with inductive or capacitive loads), 1 kVA will be greater than 1 kW.
For example, if the power factor is 0.8, then:
\[
1 \, \text{kVA} \times 0.8 = 0.8 \, \text{kW}
\]
So, **1 kVA = 1 kW** only when the power factor is 1, which typically happens in ideal or purely resistive systems.