How to Use the Calculator
- Enter the value for Kilovolt Amps (kVA). This represents the apparent power of your electrical system.
- Enter the Power Factor (PF). This is a dimensionless number between 0 and 1 that represents the ratio of real power to apparent power in an AC electrical system.
- Click the "Calculate" button to compute the power in watts.
- The result will be displayed in watts (W).
Understanding the Formula
The calculator uses the following formula to convert kVA to watts:
W = kVA × 1000 × PF
This formula works because:
- kVA is the apparent power in kilovolt amps
- 1000 is used to convert from kilovolt amps to volt amps
- PF (Power Factor) represents the efficiency of power usage
What is Power Factor?
Power Factor (PF) is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used. It's the ratio of real power (measured in watts) to apparent power (measured in volt amps). A higher power factor means more efficient power usage.
Common power factors:
- Resistive loads (like heaters) have a PF of 1.0
- Inductive loads (like motors) typically have a PF of 0.7-0.9
- Capacitive loads can have a PF less than 0
When to Use This Calculator
This calculator is useful in various scenarios:
- Electrical engineering calculations
- Energy efficiency assessments
- Equipment sizing and selection
- Power system analysis