ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY

Why Generator & Alternator rated in kVA. Not

in kW?
Electrical Technology 7 years ago

Why Alternator / Generator  Rated in kVA. Not in kW?

As we already know that why transformer rated in kVA instead of kW, same reason here i.e.
the power √3 VL IL Cos θ delivered by the alternator and generator for the same value of
current, depends upon p.f. (Power Factor=Cos θ) of the load.

But the alternator conductors are calculated for a definite current and the insulation at
magnetic system are designed for a definite voltage independent of p.f. (Cos θ) of the load.
For this reason apparent power measured in kVA is regarded as the rated power of the alternator.

The main factors manufacturers consider while designing electrical devices and appliances
which provide electric power like transformer, UPS, alternators and generators,etc are load and
power factor. As they don’t know exactly what is power factor and which kind of load will be
connected to the device and appliances.

So they simply design and rate the electrical device according to its maximum current output
that the conductors can safely carry while they consider unity power factor (In case of pure
resistive load).

If we connect inductive or capasitive load (When power factor is not at least unity), The output
would differ than as there are losses occurs due to low power factor.

For this reason, KVA is an apparent power which does not take in to account the PF (Power
factor) instead of KW (Real Power).

Where:

KW= KVA X Cos θ

And kVA = KW / Cos θ.

For example,

In case of unity Power factor (1) i.e. pure resistive load. A 100kVA generator or alternator
would provide exact 100kW acording to the following formula.

P = V x I x Cos θ

kW = V x I x Cos θ

kW = 100 x 1 = 100 kW

If we put the value of Cos θ as 1, The real power (kW) would be equal to the appearnt power
(kVA)

In case of inductive or capacitive load, suppose the power factor is 0.80.

Now the real power would be

kW= KVA X Cos θ

kW = 100 X 0.80

kW= 80 kW.

Now you now that why alternators, generators, transformer and UPS etc are rated in kVA
instead of kW.

You may also read:

Why Motor rated in kW instead of kVA?

Why AC (Air-condition)rating in Ton, not kW or kVA?
Why Power Plant Capacity Rated in MW and not in MVA?
Why Battery rating in Ah (Ampere hour) and not in VA.

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