What is MVA electricity?

In electricity, the abbreviation MVA stands for mega volt ampere, which is a unit used in measuring apparent power in an electrical circuit. Apparent power refers to the total voltage and current in a circuit. MVA is the common rating used in electrical installations such as generators and transformers.

Electricians determine mega volt ampere measurements using derivatives, including amperes and kilovolts. When installing transformers, engineers consider the capacity of a substation. They install transformers with similar MVA electricity capacity. Additionally, MVA electricity often determines the amount of power a particular area requires. This helps to stave off problems such as power surges.