Reactive Power Converter
Quickly convert between reactive power units like VAR, kVAR, and MVAR.
Why Use This Tool? ✅
Fast & Accurate
Provides precise, real-time conversions based on standard metric prefixes.
Supports All Common Units
Easily convert between Volt-Amperes Reactive (VAR), kVAR, and MVAR.
Perfect for Professionals
An essential tool for electrical engineers, power system analysts, and electricians.
User-Friendly Interface
A simple, clean interface that makes converting any reactive power unit quick and easy.
The Power Triangle: Understanding Reactive Power ⚡
In alternating current (AC) circuits, power is more complex than in simple DC circuits. It's often visualized as a "power triangle" with three components: Real Power, Apparent Power, and Reactive Power.
What is Reactive Power?
Reactive power (Q) is the "unused" or "imaginary" power in an AC circuit. It's the power that sloshes back and forth between the source and the load, stored and then discharged by reactive components like inductors (in motors) and capacitors. While it doesn't do any real work (like producing heat or light), it's essential for creating the magnetic and electric fields necessary for many devices to operate.
The Unit of Reactive Power: VAR
The unit for reactive power is the volt-ampere reactive (VAR). This name was chosen to distinguish it from the watt (W), which measures real power. Like watts, VAR is often used with metric prefixes for larger quantities:
- Kilovolt-Ampere Reactive (kVAR): 1,000 VAR.
- Megavolt-Ampere Reactive (MVAR): 1,000,000 VAR.
Why is Reactive Power Important?
While reactive power doesn't perform work, it still places a load on the electrical system. Power grids must be able to supply both real and reactive power. Excessive reactive power can lead to increased energy losses in the system and lower voltage levels. Because of this, large industrial facilities often have to manage their reactive power consumption through a process called "power factor correction."
This converter simplifies calculations for engineers and technicians who need to work with these values, ensuring they can easily switch between scales for system analysis, design, and maintenance.