What Is a Kilovolt Amp (kVA)?
A kilovolt ampere, or kVA, measures apparent power in an AC electrical system. It combines real and reactive power. Engineers use kVA to rate generators, transformers, UPS systems, and electrical equipment. A kVA rating alone does not show real power used by a load.
What Is a Watt (W)?
A watt, or W, measures real electrical power. It shows how much power a load actually uses. One watt equals one joule of energy used each second in an electrical system. Engineers use watts to describe the real power that equipment draws or delivers.
