Apparent power, measured in volt-amperes (VA), represents the total power in an alternating current (AC) circuit. It is the product of the root mean square (RMS) voltage and RMS current. For example, if a device operates at 120 volts and draws 2 amperes, the apparent power is 240 VA (120 V * 2 A = 240 VA). This value differs from actual power (watts) when the circuit has a reactive component, such as inductance or capacitance.
Understanding apparent power is crucial for selecting appropriately sized electrical equipment, such as generators, transformers, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Specifying equipment based solely on actual power could lead to underestimation of load requirements and potential equipment failure. Apparent power consideration ensures the equipment can handle both the resistive and reactive components of the electrical load. Historically, focusing solely on watts led to many instances of equipment overload and failure, prompting the adoption of VA as a more comprehensive measure of power demand.