KVA

Apparent, True Applied and Reactive Power

Total electrical power consumption depends on real power - electrical energy consumption, and reactive power - imaginary power consumption, and can be expressed (power triangle or Pythagorean relationship) as

W_apparent = ( W_{true applied}² + W_reactive² )^1/2 (1)

where

W_apparent = apparent total power (Kilovolt Amps)

W_{true applied} = true applied power (Kilowatts)

W_reactive = reactive inductive power (Kilovolt Amps reactive)

Reactive Inductive Power

Reactive Power - W_reactive - is measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR) and is the power stored in and discharged by the inductive motors, transformers or solenoids.

Reactive power required by inductive loads increases the amount of apparent power - measured in kilovolt amps (kVA) - in the distribution system. Increasing the reactive and apparent power causes the power factor - PF - to decrease.

• more about Power Factor for a Three-Phase Electrical Motor

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