Select a category and enter your values below
Multiple conversions
To convert from Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR) to Millivolt-Ampere Reactive (mVAR), use the following formula:
Millivolt-Ampere Reactive (mVAR)
= 1000× Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR)
To convert reactive power from volt-amperes reactive (VAR) to kilovolt-amperes reactive (kVAR), divide by 1,000.
The kilo prefix means exactly one thousand, so the conversion is exact: multiply by 1,000 to go the other way. The unit itself measures reactive power — the portion of AC power that oscillates between source and load in inductors and capacitors without doing useful work, in contrast to real power (watts) and apparent power (VA).
A power analyzer on a motor feeder reads 2,500 VAR of inductive reactive power. Capacitor banks for power-factor correction are cataloged in kVAR:
A 2.5 kVAR capacitor step would, in principle, cancel this demand and bring the feeder's power factor toward unity.
| VAR | kVAR |
|---|---|
| 250 | 0.25 |
| 1,000 | 1 |
| 2,500 | 2.5 |
| 10,000 | 10 |
| 50,000 | 50 |
| 300,000 | 300 |
Reactive power lives at two scales simultaneously. Measurements often arrive in plain VAR: power-quality analyzers, smart-meter registers and simulation outputs report raw values. Equipment and billing, on the other hand, speak kVAR: correction capacitors are sold in steps like 5, 12.5, 25 or 50 kVAR, utility tariffs charge for kVAR-hours or penalize demand above a power-factor threshold, and generator capability curves are drawn in kVAR or MVAR.
Sizing a correction bank is the classic use case: measure the plant's reactive demand (VAR), convert to kVAR, then pick standard capacitor steps that bring the power factor from, say, 0.78 to the 0.95 the tariff requires. A rule of thumb worth knowing while you do this: for each kW of load, raising power factor from 0.80 to 0.95 releases roughly 0.42 kVAR of correction demand — so a 100 kW plant typically needs a bank in the tens of kVAR, not hundreds.
To convert from Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR) to Megavolt-Ampere Reactive (MVAR), use the following formula:
Megavolt-Ampere Reactive (MVAR)
= 1106× Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR)
= 10-6× Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR)
To convert from Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR) to Gigavolt-Ampere Reactive (GVAR), use the following formula:
Gigavolt-Ampere Reactive (GVAR)
= 1109× Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR)
= 10-9× Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR)
A Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR) is the unit used to measure reactive power in an electrical system.
Think of it as the "helper" power that supports the "real" power (Watts) in doing work.
Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR) is a crucial metric for optimizing a power system's power factor.
A high VAR reading signifies a large amount of reactive power, often leading to an inefficient power factor and higher energy costs.
By implementing power factor correction solutions, such as capacitor banks, businesses can effectively reduce their VAR demand.
This not only improves overall electrical efficiency and lowers utility bills but also frees up system capacity, allowing you to run more equipment without overloading your system.
This makes VAR management essential for any commercial or industrial facility looking to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.
In AC power systems, these three units are related and form the "power triangle":
Understanding this relationship is essential for correctly sizing critical electrical infrastructure like generators, transformers, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
The system must be able to supply both the real power (W) and the reactive power (VAR).
Reactive power, measured in VARs, is primarily produced by inductive loads connected to an electrical grid.
Common sources include electric motors, transformers, and industrial machinery, all of which require reactive power to establish their magnetic fields. While this power is necessary for the equipment to function, it does not contribute to useful work.
Excessive VARs on the system increase the total current flow. While necessary, too much reactive power is inefficient and can lead to problems like higher energy losses, voltage drops, and potential utility penalties, reducing the overall efficiency of your electrical network.