Understanding kW to kVA Conversion
kW (kilowatts) measures real power—the actual power consumed to do work. kVA (kilovolt-amperes) measures apparent power—the total power supplied to a circuit including reactive power.
The Power Triangle
In AC circuits, apparent power (kVA), real power (kW), and reactive power (kVAR) form a triangle. The power factor is the ratio of real to apparent power: PF = kW ÷ kVA.
Why kVA Matters
Transformers and generators are rated in kVA because they must handle the total current regardless of how efficiently it's used. A lower power factor means more kVA is needed for the same kW.