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Glite Dictionary
volt-ampere

volt-ampere

6.3
A unit for electrical power in alternating current circuits equal to one volt times one ampere
  • noun
  • /voʊlt ˈæmˌpɪr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : volt-amperio
  • The generator has a maximum output of 5,000 volt-amperes.

Examples

  • To avoid overloading the circuit, calculate the total volt-ampere demand for all equipment.

  • Engineers often use volt-amperes to rate the capacity of transformers.

  • The device consumes one volt-ampere of power.

  • Many appliances require several volt-amperes to operate efficiently.

  • Engineers often use volt-amperes to rate the capacity of transformers.

  • The generator has a maximum output of 5,000 volt-amperes.

  • Many appliances require several volt-amperes to operate efficiently.

How Powerful

kilovolt-ampere
  • Specialized
6.3
volt-ampere
  • Specialized
6.3

Surface Forms

volt-ampere singular
volt-amperes plural

Morphology

volt-ampere = volt + ampere (semi-transparent) = volt + ampere

The form clearly composes 'volt' + 'ampere' indicating a product unit, but the technical meaning 'apparent power' (specific to AC circuits) may not be obvious to non-technical learners.

Etymology

Volt-ampere combines the unit names volt and ampere, the same parts you see in voltage and amp. It literally means the 'power' when one volt makes one ampere of current flow, which is why engineers use it to show a device's electrical power in systems where the flow goes back and forth.