Convert between Volt ampere and other Power units.
Understanding Volt Ampere as a Unit of Power
The volt ampere (VA) is a unit of apparent power used in electrical systems, particularly in alternating current (AC) applications. It represents the product of voltage (in volts) and current (in amperes) in a circuit. While it may seem similar to watts, the key difference lies in the fact that watts measure real power, whereas volt amperes measure apparent power. This distinction is important because in AC systems, the power factor affects the relationship between these two units.
In purely resistive circuits, one volt ampere is equal to one watt. However, in circuits with inductance or capacitance, the power factor can result in a difference between VA and watts. As such, volt amperes are frequently used in sizing electrical equipment such as transformers and generators to ensure they can handle the load without overheating or failing.
