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Know the Difference Between kW and kVA When You Hire a Generator

When you want to hire a generator, you’re going to find yourself knee-deep in industry jargon that can make the process a bit confusing. The last thing you want is to hire the wrong diesel generators for your needs, so it’s important to know certain terms in order to make the process easier. Here’s some insight from the CAT rental team.



When you ask about diesel generators, the first thing a salesperson will enquire about is the size you require for your commercial or industrial project. Generator size is measured in kilovolt-amperes (kVA), but it’s a term that isn’t well-known outside the industry. Usually, when people hire a generator, they know how much power they need in terms of kilowatts (kW) but not kVA.

What is the Difference Between kW and kVA?

kW are a unit of real power and a kW rating of diesel generators is how much power they can output based on the horsepower of the engine. Essentially, it is how much power the generator actually has.

kVA is a measure of apparent power – how much power the system is using overall – and will always be higher than the kW of a generator as a result. This is because the generator set itself will also use some power, depending on how efficient it is. You can see how efficient a generator is based on its power factor – a higher power factor means the generator is better at transferring energy to the connected load than a generator with a lower power factor. Lower power factors also indicate that you’ll spend more on fuel to get the same amount of power.

The standard power factor for three phase diesel generators from CAT rental is 0.8, measured on a scale of 1-10.

How to Convert kW to kVA

To convert kW to kVa, apply the following formula: kW/pf = kVA
To convert kVA to kW, apply the following formula: kVA x pf = kW

For example, if you know you need a generator to supply 200kW, then divide 200 by 0.8 to get 250kVA. If you are looking at 250kVA diesel generators but are unsure if they will meet demand requirements at your facility, then multiply 250 by 0.8 to get the kW for the generator. If you are unsure which generator best suits your project’s needs, the CAT rental team can provide comprehensive guidance.

Want to Hire a Generator for Your Commercial or Industrial Project?

At Energy Power Systems Australia, our team is here to assist commercial and industrial clients with technologically advanced power generation solutions. As a CAT engine dealer, we can assist clients from every industry, including retailers and businesses as well as remote mining and construction sites. Our sales team can assist you with finding the right diesel generators for your needs, as well as offering world-class engineering support, technical advice and after sales support. To hire a generator, please contact us and speak to the CAT rental team today.

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