Kilovolt-Ampere Reactive (kVAR) is a unit that measures reactive power in an electrical system, which is essential for maintaining voltage levels necessary for the safe and efficient operation of electrical equipment. Unlike active power, which performs useful work, reactive power oscillates between the source and load, helping to sustain the magnetic and electric fields that spin motors and flow electricity.
Understanding kVAR is crucial in industries reliant on large motors and transformers, as it helps in optimizing power factor and reducing unnecessary power wastage. Managing kVAR can also lead to significant cost savings by minimizing energy losses and improving overall electrical system efficiency. This unit plays a vital role in ensuring that electrical systems are not only effective but also economically viable.
The megavolt-ampere reactive (MVAR) is a unit of measurement used in electrical systems to quantify reactive power, which is the non-working power component in an AC circuit. Unlike real power (measured in watts), which performs actual work, reactive power is essential for maintaining voltage levels necessary for active power to flow through the grid. Think of it like the foam on a latte—it doesn’t contribute to the coffee’s caffeination but is critical for its quality and structure.
Engineers use MVARs to optimize the efficiency of power delivery, ensuring systems don’t become overloaded. This balance is vital for the stability of power grids, especially as renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are often variable and intermittent, become more prevalent in our energy mix.
Kilovolt-Amperes Reactive | Megavolt-Amperes Reactive |
---|---|
0
kVAR
|
0
MVAR
|
10
kVAR
|
0.01
MVAR
|
20
kVAR
|
0.02
MVAR
|
30
kVAR
|
0.03
MVAR
|
40
kVAR
|
0.04
MVAR
|
50
kVAR
|
0.05
MVAR
|
60
kVAR
|
0.06
MVAR
|
70
kVAR
|
0.07
MVAR
|
80
kVAR
|
0.08
MVAR
|
90
kVAR
|
0.09
MVAR
|
100
kVAR
|
0.1
MVAR
|
110
kVAR
|
0.11
MVAR
|
120
kVAR
|
0.12
MVAR
|
130
kVAR
|
0.13
MVAR
|
140
kVAR
|
0.14
MVAR
|
150
kVAR
|
0.15
MVAR
|
160
kVAR
|
0.16
MVAR
|
170
kVAR
|
0.17
MVAR
|
180
kVAR
|
0.18
MVAR
|
190
kVAR
|
0.19
MVAR
|
200
kVAR
|
0.2
MVAR
|
210
kVAR
|
0.21
MVAR
|
220
kVAR
|
0.22
MVAR
|
230
kVAR
|
0.23
MVAR
|
240
kVAR
|
0.24
MVAR
|
250
kVAR
|
0.25
MVAR
|
260
kVAR
|
0.26
MVAR
|
270
kVAR
|
0.27
MVAR
|
280
kVAR
|
0.28
MVAR
|
290
kVAR
|
0.29
MVAR
|
300
kVAR
|
0.3
MVAR
|
310
kVAR
|
0.31
MVAR
|
320
kVAR
|
0.32
MVAR
|
330
kVAR
|
0.33
MVAR
|
340
kVAR
|
0.34
MVAR
|
350
kVAR
|
0.35
MVAR
|
360
kVAR
|
0.36
MVAR
|
370
kVAR
|
0.37
MVAR
|
380
kVAR
|
0.38
MVAR
|
390
kVAR
|
0.39
MVAR
|
400
kVAR
|
0.4
MVAR
|
410
kVAR
|
0.41
MVAR
|
420
kVAR
|
0.42
MVAR
|
430
kVAR
|
0.43
MVAR
|
440
kVAR
|
0.44
MVAR
|
450
kVAR
|
0.45
MVAR
|
460
kVAR
|
0.46
MVAR
|
470
kVAR
|
0.47
MVAR
|
480
kVAR
|
0.48
MVAR
|
490
kVAR
|
0.49
MVAR
|
500
kVAR
|
0.5
MVAR
|
510
kVAR
|
0.51
MVAR
|
520
kVAR
|
0.52
MVAR
|
530
kVAR
|
0.53
MVAR
|
540
kVAR
|
0.54
MVAR
|
550
kVAR
|
0.55
MVAR
|
560
kVAR
|
0.56
MVAR
|
570
kVAR
|
0.57
MVAR
|
580
kVAR
|
0.58
MVAR
|
590
kVAR
|
0.59
MVAR
|
600
kVAR
|
0.6
MVAR
|
610
kVAR
|
0.61
MVAR
|
620
kVAR
|
0.62
MVAR
|
630
kVAR
|
0.63
MVAR
|
640
kVAR
|
0.64
MVAR
|
650
kVAR
|
0.65
MVAR
|
660
kVAR
|
0.66
MVAR
|
670
kVAR
|
0.67
MVAR
|
680
kVAR
|
0.68
MVAR
|
690
kVAR
|
0.69
MVAR
|
700
kVAR
|
0.7
MVAR
|
710
kVAR
|
0.71
MVAR
|
720
kVAR
|
0.72
MVAR
|
730
kVAR
|
0.73
MVAR
|
740
kVAR
|
0.74
MVAR
|
750
kVAR
|
0.75
MVAR
|
760
kVAR
|
0.76
MVAR
|
770
kVAR
|
0.77
MVAR
|
780
kVAR
|
0.78
MVAR
|
790
kVAR
|
0.79
MVAR
|
800
kVAR
|
0.8
MVAR
|
810
kVAR
|
0.81
MVAR
|
820
kVAR
|
0.82
MVAR
|
830
kVAR
|
0.83
MVAR
|
840
kVAR
|
0.84
MVAR
|
850
kVAR
|
0.85
MVAR
|
860
kVAR
|
0.86
MVAR
|
870
kVAR
|
0.87
MVAR
|
880
kVAR
|
0.88
MVAR
|
890
kVAR
|
0.89
MVAR
|
900
kVAR
|
0.9
MVAR
|
910
kVAR
|
0.91
MVAR
|
920
kVAR
|
0.92
MVAR
|
930
kVAR
|
0.93
MVAR
|
940
kVAR
|
0.94
MVAR
|
950
kVAR
|
0.95
MVAR
|
960
kVAR
|
0.96
MVAR
|
970
kVAR
|
0.97
MVAR
|
980
kVAR
|
0.98
MVAR
|
990
kVAR
|
0.99
MVAR
|
1000
kVAR
|
1
MVAR
|
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