Volt-ampere

<p>The volt-ampere (<a href="/facts/International_System_of_Units/S7YLglNz">SI symbol</a>: VA, sometimes V⋅A or V A) is the <a href="/facts/Unit_of_measurement/pvTpWbmC">unit of measurement</a> for <a href="/facts/Apparent_power/EXsaw0B9">apparent power</a> in an <a href="/facts/Electrical_circuit/zt94kTW0">electrical circuit</a>. It is the product of the <a href="/facts/Root_mean_square_AC_voltage/qxICS3xa">root mean square voltage</a> (in <a href="/facts/Volts/KF18MXP2">volts</a>) and the <a href="/facts/Root-Mean-Square_Current/Cfmg7dws">root mean square current</a> (in <a href="/facts/Amperes/rcKdfC2R">amperes</a>). Volt-amperes are usually used for analyzing <a href="/facts/Alternating_current/qxICS3xa">alternating current</a> (AC) circuits. In <a href="/facts/Direct_current/r9MNUx84">direct current</a> (DC) circuits, this product is equal to the <a href="/facts/Real_power/EXsaw0B9">real power</a>, measured in <a href="/facts/Watt/VK8oqRrm">watts</a>. The volt-ampere is dimensionally equivalent to the <a href="/facts/Watt/VK8oqRrm">watt</a>: in <a href="/facts/SI_units/S7YLglNz">SI units</a>, 1 V⋅A = 1 W. VA rating is most used for generators and transformers, and other power handling equipment, where loads may be reactive (inductive or capacitive).
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Volt-ampere open-in-new

Volt-ampere