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Single conversion
To convert from Millivolt-Ampere (mVA) to Megavolt-Ampere (MVA), use the following formula:
Let's convert 5 Millivolt-Ampere (mVA) to Megavolt-Ampere (MVA).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Millivolt-Ampere (mVA) is equal to Megavolt-Ampere (MVA).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Millivolt-Ampere (mVA) to Megavolt-Ampere (MVA):
| Millivolt-Amperes | Megavolt-Amperes |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 mVA | MVA |
| 0.001 mVA | MVA |
| 0.1 mVA | MVA |
| 1 mVA | MVA |
| 2 mVA | MVA |
| 3 mVA | MVA |
| 4 mVA | MVA |
| 5 mVA | MVA |
| 6 mVA | MVA |
| 7 mVA | MVA |
| 8 mVA | MVA |
| 9 mVA | MVA |
| 10 mVA | MVA |
| 20 mVA | MVA |
| 30 mVA | MVA |
| 40 mVA | MVA |
| 50 mVA | MVA |
| 100 mVA | MVA |
| 1000 mVA | MVA |
| 10000 mVA | MVA |
For all Apparent Power converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
A Millivolt-Ampere (mVA) is a unit of measurement for apparent power, formally recognized by the International System of Units (SI).
It is a tiny unit, equal to exactly one-thousandth of a Volt-Ampere (0.001 VA).
Because this unit is so small, it is not used for common household appliances but is instead used to measure the power in low-energy systems.
You will typically find mVA used in specifications for:
The Millivolt-Ampere (mVA) is a unit of apparent power. This is the total power in an AC (alternating current) circuit.
However, it's not the same as the "true power" (measured in Watts) that actually does work, like lighting a bulb.
A simple way to understand this is the "beer analogy":
Engineers use mVA to precisely measure this total load in very sensitive, low-power circuits.
The conversion between mVA and its base unit, the Volt-Ampere (VA), is very straightforward. The prefix "milli" means "one-thousandth."
This simple 1,000-to-1 ratio makes it easy to scale measurements.
For example, a small electronic component rated at 250 mVA is drawing 0.25 VA of apparent power.
A Megavolt-Ampere (MVA) is a unit of measurement for apparent power in an electrical system.
It is a large unit, equal to one million volt-amperes ( VA or VA).
Think of MVA as the "total" power flowing through the system. This total amount includes the "useful" power that does work, as well as the "reactive" power required to keep the system running.
It's important not to confuse apparent power (MVA) with real power (MW). Although they are related, they measure different things:
Real Power (MW): This is the "useful" power that does actual work, like lighting a bulb, running a motor, or heating a home. It is measured in Megawatts (MW).
Apparent Power (MVA): This is the combination of real power and reactive power (MVAR). Reactive power doesn't do valuable work, but it's needed by equipment like motors and transformers to create magnetic fields.
A utility company must be able to supply the entire apparent power (MVA), even though customers only use the real power (MW). This is why MVA is a crucial measurement for system capacity and grid management.
You will notice that large electrical equipment, like transformers and generators, is rated in MVA, not MW.
This is because this equipment is designed to handle a specific total voltage and current, regardless of the load it's connected to.
The MVA rating represents the equipment's true total capacity. This rating ensures the device can safely manage the entire apparent power load (both real and reactive) without overheating or failing, which is essential for safety and reliability.
The power triangle best explains the relationship between MVA, MW, and power factor.
This relationship gives us a simple formula to convert MVA to MW using a value called the Power Factor. The power factor (a number between 0 and 1) measures how efficiently the electrical system is using power.
The formula is:
MW = MVA Power Factor
This calculation is fundamental for engineers designing and managing efficient power grids.