Glossary of electric industry, energy & cooperative terms

K

Kilovolt (kv)
A unit of electrical force equal to 1,000 volts.

Kilovolt-Ampere (kva)
A unit of electrical force equal to 1,000 volt-amperes. The kilovolt-ampere is the practical unit of apparent power.

Kilowatt (kw)
A unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts. Customer demand on electrical systems at any time is measured in kilowatts. The relationship used to derive this measurement is: Kilowatts = Kilovolts x Amperes x Power Factor

Kilowatt-hour (KwH)
A common unit of electric energy consumption, and the basic unit of electric energy. It equals the total energy developed by the power of one kilowatt (kw) supplied to or taken from an electric current steadily for one hour. In other words, 1,000 watts consumed for one hour equals a single kilowatt-hour. Power (measured in kilowatts) multiplied by the time of operation (measured in hours) equals kilowatt-hours. Ten 100-watt light bulbs burning for one hour use one kwh. Similarly, a two kw (2,000 watt) air conditioner operating for one-half hour uses one kwh.

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Page last updated: Friday, March 5, 2010