Volt-ampere
Encyclopedia
A volt-ampere is the unit used for the apparent power in an electrical circuit, equal to the product of root-mean-square (RMS) voltage
and RMS current. In direct current (DC) circuits, this product is equal to the real power (active power) in watt
s. Volt-amperes are useful only in the context of alternating current
(AC) circuits (sinusoidal voltages and currents of the same frequency).
While both the volt-ampere (abbreviated VA) and the watt have the dimension of power (time rate of energy), they do not have the same meaning. Some devices, including Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs)
, have ratings both for maximum volt-amperes and maximum watts.
The VA rating is limited by the maximum permissible current, and the watt rating by the power-handling capacity of the device. When a UPS powers equipment which presents a reactive load with a low power factor
, neither limit may safely be exceeded.
Voltage
Voltage, otherwise known as electrical potential difference or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points...
and RMS current. In direct current (DC) circuits, this product is equal to the real power (active power) in watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s. Volt-amperes are useful only in the context of alternating current
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
(AC) circuits (sinusoidal voltages and currents of the same frequency).
While both the volt-ampere (abbreviated VA) and the watt have the dimension of power (time rate of energy), they do not have the same meaning. Some devices, including Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs)
Uninterruptible power supply
An uninterruptible power supply, also uninterruptible power source, UPS or battery/flywheel backup, is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source, typically mains power, fails...
, have ratings both for maximum volt-amperes and maximum watts.
The VA rating is limited by the maximum permissible current, and the watt rating by the power-handling capacity of the device. When a UPS powers equipment which presents a reactive load with a low power factor
Power factor
The power factor of an AC electric power system is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load over the apparent power in the circuit, and is a dimensionless number between 0 and 1 . Real power is the capacity of the circuit for performing work in a particular time...
, neither limit may safely be exceeded.