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Kva, KW, Kvar and Power Factor: Used by The Load. This Means Inefficiency and More Cost
Kva, KW, Kvar and Power Factor: Used by The Load. This Means Inefficiency and More Cost
Kva, KW, Kvar and Power Factor: Used by The Load. This Means Inefficiency and More Cost
AC power is made up of three components, VA (apparent power), W (real power) and VAr (reactive power). This
document is intended to describe these three elements with specific interest to generator engineers.
• Measurements
o VA = Volts x Amps (resistive load)
VA is called Apparent Power
• Typical resistive loads are filament bulbs, strip heaters, domestic cookers.
o W = V x A x Power Factor
W is called Watts or Real Power.
Watts are created by the engine. Increasing W while maintain a fixed voltage
from the alternator requires more fuel for the engine.
A typical site load consists of :
Resistive loads (VA), Inductive loads (+VAr) and Capacitive loads (-VAr)
Reactive Power
(VAr) is at 90° to the
Real Power (W) so
is drawn on the
vertical axis.
o This shows that the VA is a larger value than the W (If the VAr is zero, VA=W)