kVA

Units & Measurements abbreviation · Engineering Unit

kVA
Stands forKilovolt-ampere
CategoriesUnits & Measurements

kVA stands for Kilovolt-ampere, an engineering unit abbreviation.

One thousand volt-amperes, the usual rating for generators, distribution transformers, large UPS systems and industrial supplies. Pole-mounted transformers serving a few homes are often 25 to 50 kVA.

Example: The standby generator is rated 100 kVA, or 80 kW at 0.8 power factor.

Usage notes

Generators are commonly rated assuming a power factor of 0.8, so kW equals kVA × 0.8. Utilities size transformers in kVA because they must handle current regardless of power factor. In India and the UK, diesel generator sets and building supplies are routinely described in kVA.

More engineering unit abbreviations

  • kn – Knot
  • kPa – Kilopascal
  • kph – Kilometers per hour
  • ksi – Kilopounds per square inch
  • kt – Knot (aviation)
  • kV – Kilovolt
  • kW – Kilowatt
  • kWh – Kilowatt-hour
  • kWp – Kilowatt-peak
  • L/100 km – Liters per 100 kilometers
  • lb-ft – Pound-feet
  • lbf – Pound-force

See all 103 engineering unit abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.