What does "kVA" represent in electrical terms?

Kilovolt-amperes (kVA) represent apparent power in an electrical context. Apparent power is a combination of both active (real) power and reactive power, and it reflects the total amount of power used in an AC (alternating current) circuit. Apparent power is important because it indicates how much power is flowing through the system, which is essential for sizing electrical equipment, transformers, and generators.

This measurement is particularly useful in systems where the current and voltage are not perfectly in phase due to the presence of reactive components such as inductors and capacitors. In contrast, active power (measured in kilowatts) is the actual power that performs work in the circuit, while reactive power (measured in kilovolt-amperes reactive, or kVAR) is the power that oscillates between the source and reactive components without performing any actual work.

Understanding that kVA signifies apparent power helps in evaluating the capacity and performance of electrical devices and systems, ensuring that they are appropriately selected and designed for specific applications.