Question:
Explain the difference between KVA and KW to me like a 10-year-old?
Answer:
VA and W are both units of Power. VA stands for Volts-Amperes. Industrial machines and generators are usually rated in KVA
W stands for Watts. Our home appliances are rated in watts and Kilowatts. Air conditioners are rated in horsepower (hp). 1 horsepower is equal to 746watts
KVA is the abbreviation for kilovolts-amperes. That is, 1000 VA. While KW is the abbreviation for Kilowatts. That is, 1000 watts.
1000VA means 1KVA, 2000 VA means 2KVA, 2500 KVA means 2.5 KVA, etc.
Also,
1000Watts is 1 KW, 2000 Watts is 2 KW, 2500 Watts is 2.5 KW, etc.
KVA is also known as APPARENT POWER (usually referred to as demanded voltage and current used to run machinery and equipment during a certain period), while
KW is also known as REAL POWER which is the working power.
The ratio of KW (Real Power) and KVA (Apparent Power) is called the POWER FACTOR (abbreviated as p.f). That is:
POWER FACTOR = KW (real power) / KVA (apparent power).
The constant value used for POWER FACTOR is 0.8 (this is a constant derived electrically to represent power factor).
To convert KVA to KW, multiply the KVA by the 0.8 power factor. (Example: 5 kVA or 5000 kVA = 5000 x 0.8 = 4000 watts, or 4 kw. Also, 2.5 kVA or 2500VA = 2500 x 0.8 = 2000 w or 2 kw.
To convert KW to KVA, divide the KW by the 0.8 power factor. (Example: 4kw or 4000w = 4000/0.8 = 5000va or 5kva. Also, 2kw or 2000w = 2000/0.8 = 2500va or 2kva.)
So, 5 kVA is approximately 4 kw. 2.5 kVA is approximately 2 kw, and so on. Just multiply the KVA by 0.8 to get KW. or divide the KW by 0.8 to get KVA.
The Image below shows the analogy between the two.
#Kilowatt #KVA #solarpower #renewableenergy #solarenergy #electricity
#electricalpower #RealPower
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