Question { Bygging India, 3913 }

Why Generator KVA not in KW ?

Answer

All electrical devices that supply power are usually rated in kVA. This includes transformers, UPS's & the like.

Simply put, the difference between kVA & kW is that kVA is "Apparent Power", which does not take into account the Power Factor & kW is "True Power" . See the below equations:

VA = E x I
W = E x I x Cos phi

The above equations are only for single phase.

When a manufacturer makes a transformer, generator, UPS etc, they have no idea of the type of load that will be used & consequently can only rate the device according to its maximum current output that the conductors can safely carry (at untiy Power Factor) & the insulation rating of the conductors (voltage & temperature).