1. What is MVA?

MVA (Mega Volt-Ampere) is a unit of apparent power in electrical systems, representing the product of the system voltage and current. It's commonly used in power system analysis for transformers and generators.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( Amps \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( Volts \) — Line-to-line voltage (V)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)
• \( 1,000,000 \) — Conversion factor to MVA

Explanation: The formula calculates apparent power in a balanced 3-phase system by accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of MVA Calculation

Details: MVA rating is crucial for sizing electrical equipment, determining system capacity, and analyzing power flow in electrical networks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes and line-to-line voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between MVA and MW?
A: MVA measures apparent power (vector sum of real and reactive power), while MW measures real power. They're equal only when power factor is 1.

Q2: Can I use this for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase use MVA = (Amps × Volts) / 1,000,000 (without the √3 factor).

Q3: Why use MVA instead of kVA?
A: MVA is typically used for larger power systems (utility scale), while kVA is more common for smaller systems.

Q4: Does this account for power factor?
A: No, this calculates apparent power. For real power (MW), multiply MVA by power factor.

Q5: What voltage should I use - line or phase?
A: Use line-to-line voltage for 3-phase calculations.