Transformer power is rated in kVA (kilovolt-amperes) because it reflects apparent power, which includes both active (real) power and reactive power. Transformers are designed to handle the total electrical load, regardless of how much is actually used to do useful work (real power) and how much is stored and released (reactive power).
The kVA rating takes into account the total electrical load, ensuring that the transformer can operate safely under different power factors.
The kVA is used instead of the kW because the kW (kilowatts) measures only real power, the power that does the actual work. However, transformers must also handle reactive power, which does not do work but affects the total load.
Using kVA provides a more comprehensive measurement, as it includes both real and reactive power, giving a true representation of the transformer capacity.
Power in kVA is the apparent power of an electrical system, combining both real power (measured in kW) and reactive power (measured in kVAR). It is calculated by multiplying the voltage (in kilovolts) by the current (in amps) and gives a complete view of the power that the transformer must manage.
The unit of power for a transformer is kVA, which stands for kilovolt-amperes.
This unit represents apparent power, combining both the real and reactive components of electric charge.
Talking in kVA is important because it gives a complete picture of the electrical load on the transformer, including both useful power and reactive power. This ensures that the transformer is properly rated to handle the total electrical demand, thereby preventing overloads and ensuring efficient operation under various power factor conditions.