For the following reasons, a Power plant capacity rating may be expressed in

MW instead of MVA.
In a Generating station, the prime mover (Turbine) generates only and only
Active Power. Thats why we rated a power plant capacity in MW instead of
MVA. Its mean no matter how large your generator is, but it depends on the
capacity of the engine (Prime mover/Turbine) I.e. a 50MW turbine connected to
a 90MVA alternator in a power plant will generate only 50MW at full load. In
short, a power plant rating is specified in terms of prime mover /Turbine
(Turbine rating may be seen by nameplate rating which is in MW or
Horsepower (HP) not in MVA) and not by the alternator set coupled to it.
Another thing is that, electric power company charges their consumer for kVA
while they generate kW (or MW) at the power station (Power plant).They
penalize their consumer for low Power factor because they are not responsible
for low power factor and kVA but you. Moreover, in power plant, power factor
is 1 therefore MW is equal to MVA (MW = MVA x P.f).
Another interesting & funny answer by one of our Facebook page fanPower
House means, house of the Power, and we know that the unit or power is
Watt. Thats why we rated power plant capacity in MW and not in MVA.
You may also read:
Why Transformer rating in kVa, not in kW?
Why AC (Air-condition)rating in Ton, not kW or kVA?
Why AC rated in Tons, Not in kW?
AC (Air-conditions and Refrigeration are always rated in Tons.
Air conditioners are always rated in Tons capacityinstead of kW because Air conditioners
are designed on the basis of quantity of heat removal from room, hall or specific area.
Quantity of heat is termed in Tons means if an air conditioner is able to remove 1000
kilocalories of heat or 4120 kilojoules or 12000 BTU of heat in an hour that AC rated as 1
Ton of AC because 1000 Kilocalories or 4120 kilojoules or 12000 BTU equal to one Ton of
heat. Also, this is the same case for freezer and refrigerator i.e. refrigeration system.
Good to know:
BTU = British thermal unit. A measurement of heat, specifically, the amount of heat needed
to raise the temperature of a pound of water by 1F.
Definition of Ton
A Ton of refrigeration (R
T
) is approximately equivalent to 12,000 BTU/h or 3,516.8528 W or
4.7142Hp.
A Ton of refrigeration (R
T
) is a unit of power used to describe the heat-extraction capacity of
air conditioning and refrigeration equipments. It is defined as the heat of fusion absorbed by
melting 1 short ton of pure ice at 0 C (32 F) in 24 hours.
How many kW and HP are there in 1 Ton?
1 Ton = 3.5168525 kW = 4.714Hp
Explanation
1 Ton = 12,000 BTU/h
1 Watt = 3.412141633 BTU/h
1 Ton = 12,000 / 3.412141633 = 3,516.8528 Watts = 3.5168528 kW.
1 Ton = 3,516.8528 Watts = 3.516 kW.
Also
1 Ton = 3,516.8528W / 746 = 4.7142798928 Hp (1 Hp = 746 Watts)
1 Ton = 4.714 Hp
How to convert Ton to Kw and vice versa?
One R
T
(Refrigeration Ton) = 3.5168528 kW
1 R
T
= 3.5168528 kW
1 kW = 0.284345

R
T
(Refrigeration Ton)
1 kW = 0.28434517 R
T

So,
The power P in kW = Power P in R
T
(Refrigeration Ton) times 3.5168528.
P
(kW)
= P
(RT)
3.5168528
Example
Convert 3 Ton AC into kW i.e. Convert 3 R
T
to kW.
Solution:
P
(kW)
= 3 R
T
3.5168528
P
(kW)
= 10.55 kW
3 Ton AC = 10.55 kW
How much Current in Ampere will a 2 Tons AC draw in Single Phase &
Three Phase System?
Suppose, There are 230V and Power factor = Cos = 0.95 in Single Phase AC system
1 Ton = 3,516.8528 Watts = 3.516 kW.
2 Ton = 2 x 3.516 kW = 7.032kW = 7032W
Power in a Single Phase AC System
P = VxI Cos and current
I = P / (V x Cos).. Where Cos = Power factor
I = 7032W / (230V x .95)
I = 32.18 A
Therefore, a 2 Ton AC (Air-condition in Single Phase AC system will take 31.18 Ampere
Current
Andin Three Phase System
Suppose, There are 440V and Power factor = Cos = 0.85 in Three Phase AC system
Power in a Three Phase AC System
P =3 x V
L
xI
L
Cos and current.
I = P /( 3xVxCos)
I = 7032W / (1.732 x 440V x .85) Where Cos = Power factor and 3 = 1.732
I = 10.855 A
Therefore, a 2 Ton AC (Air-condition in Three Phase AC system will take 10.855 Ampere
Current
Good to Know:This is just calculation based on Electrical formulas. In real, Air conditioner
current depends a lot on operating conditions such as ambient temperature, refrigerant
pressure, Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) etc. for instance, if EER is 6, then input power for 2
Tons Air conditioner is 24000BTU/ 6 = 4000 watts..
If this is a 230 volt system, then air conditioner load current would be = 4000/(230x.95) =
18.5 A
For More detailCheck the Air conditioner Name plate rating.
Another similar rating is Coefficient of power (COP) which is the output power in watts
divided by input power, so with a COP = 1.8, for instance, input power for 2 Tons Air
conditioner is 7032W / 1.8 = 3906 watts. Now you can find current by using the above
method which is equal to 18A approx.
How many 2 Ton A.C (Air conditioner) can I run on a 25 kVA
Generator?
2 Ton = 2 x 3.516 kW = 7.032kW = 7032W
The Efficiency of Utility Power Generator is 90% approximately.
Efficiency of Generator = 25kVA x (90/100) = 22.5kVA
Now the Number of 2 Ton AC (Air conditioners) which you can run on a 25 kVA Generator
smoothly..
22.5kVA / 7032W
= 3
So you can run Three Air conditioners of 2 Tons each on a 25kVA Generator.
What is the suitable rating of MCB for 2 Ton and 1 Ton AC (Air
conditioner) and why?
As we have calculated the load current for 2 Ton AC Air conditioner
Calculated Current for 2 Ton A.C = I = 32.18 A
Now 40A Class C MCB (miniature circuit breaker) would be suitable for 2 Ton AC (air-
condition) because in starting time it takes more current of the full load current
And 20 A Class C MCB would be better for 1 Ton AC (air-condition)
Good to Know:
Class C Type MCBs
Class C Type MCBs are suitable for installations with high inrush of current at the starting
switching time. in other words, equipment and devices having inductive loads such as air-
conditioners, induction motors, fluorescent lamps, transformersetc.
A general AC (Airconditioner )Name plate rating Data
Click image to enlarge


Why Alternator rated in kVa, not in kW?
Why Battery rating in Ah (Ampere hour) and not in VA.
Why Motor rated in kW instead of kVA?
We know that Transformer rating may be expressed in kVA as well as
Generator and Alternator rated in kVA Designer doesnt know the actual
consumer power factor while manufacturing transformers and generators i.e. the
P.F (Power factor) of Transformer and Generator/Alternator depends on the
nature of connected load such as resistive load, capacitive load, and inductive
load as Motors, etc. But Motor has fixed Power factor, i.e. motor has defined
power factor and the rating has been mentioned in KW on Motor nameplate
data table. Thats why we are rated Motor in kW or HP (kilowatts/ Horsepower)
instead of kVA.
In addition, Motor is a device which converts Electrical power into Mechanical
power. In this case, the load is not electrical, but mechanical (Motors Output)
and we take into the account only active power which has to be converted into
mechanical load. Moreover, the motor power factor does not depend on the
load and it works on any P.F because of its design.
Basic Electrical & Electronics Engineering and Technology Interview Questions & Answers
1. Why we cant store AC in Batteries instead of DC?
2. Why Motor rated in kW instead of kVA?
3. Why Battery rated in Ah (Ampere hour) and not in VA.
4. Three Phase Induction Motors (MCQs with Explanatory Answers)
5. The Main Difference between Active and passive Components (Very Easy Explanation
with Examples)
6. Batteries. (MCQs with Explanatory Answers)
7. How to find The value of Burnt Resistor ( By three handy Methods )
8. Capacitors (MCQs with Explanatory Answers)
9. How to Calculate/Find the value of Ceramic / Non-Polarized Capacitors?
10. Why Power is Zero (0), in Pure Inductive, Pure Capacitive or a circuit in which Current
and Voltage are 90 Degree out of phase?
11. Basic Concepts (MCQs With Explanatory Answers)
12. DC Circuits (MCQs with Explanatory Answers.)
13. Alternator / Generator ( MCQs with Explanatory Answers)
14. Transformer (MCQs With Explanatory Answers)
15. A (50/60 Hz) Transformer. Which one will give more Output? (When operates on 50 or
60 Hz frequency)
16. Why the circuit Current (I) decrease, when Inductance (L) or inductive reactance (XL)
increases in inductive circuit?
17. Why the Circuit Power factor (Cos ) Decreases, when Inductance (L) or inductive
reactance (XL) increases, In inductive circuit?
18. Single Phase AC Circuits. MCQs ( With Explanatory Answers)
19. In inductive circuit, Why Current increases, when frequency Decreases?
20. Three Phase AC Circuits (MCQs With Explanatory Answers)
21. What is Main Difference b/w Electrical and Electronics Engineering? ( Very Simple)
22. Easy Charging Time and Charging Current Formula for Batteries. ( with Example of
120Ah Battery).
23. How To remember the direction of PNP and NPN Transistor. One of the Easiest way.
24. What is the Rule of Capacitor in AC and DC Circuit?
25. Batteries Configuration. These Batteries have Connected in series or parallel? Clear
Your Concept.
26. A Bulb is Connected in this strange way with Ammeter as shown in fig. then what will be
the current in Amp-Meter? (Clear Your Concept)
27. Clear Your Concept. What will be the Current In ampere-meter which connected in Short
path in This Basic Circuit.?
28. Clear Your Concept. What will be the Current In ampere-meter in This Basic Circuit.?
29. Ampere meter is connected in series with load. if there is also a short path, then what will
be the current in Amp-Meter? (As shown Below)
30. What is the normal or average life expectancy of a Transformer ?
31. Why Flux in Primary and Secondary Winding of the Transformer is Same? With a Simple
Explanation and Example.
32. According to Ohms Law, Current increases, when Voltage increases,(I=V/R), But
Current decreases, when Voltage increases according to (P=VI). Explain?
33. What is the difference between a battery and a capacitor?
34. Why A.C needs more insulation than D.C at same voltage level?
35. What is The Difference between a VOLTAMETER and a VOLTMETER?
36. What is the objection to have lamps in a house-lighting circuit connected in series?
37. How To Find/Calculate the Number of Fluorescent Lamps in a Sub Circuit?
38. How to Determine the Number of Lamps in Final Sub Circuit?
39. How much Watts Solar Panel We need for our Home Electrical appliances?
40. Will a D.C Shunt Motor operate on an A.C Supply?
41. Why the reactance of a system under fault condition is low and faults currents may raise
dangerously high value. ? (With simple example)
42. Explain the statement that induction motor is fundamentally a Transformer?
43. What is the difference between Power Transformers and Distribution Transformers?
44. What is the purpose of ground wires in over-Head Transmission lines?
45. What is the difference between real ground and virtual ground?
46. How To Calculate Your Electricity Bill. Easy and simple Explanation.
47. Under what condition is D.C supply applied safely to the primary of a transformer?
48. A step up transformer which has 110/220 turns. Can we replace it with 10/20 turns?
Turns ratio is same shall its rating be same? Give appropriate reason?
49. What are the fundamental differences between E.M.F (Electro motive force) and P.d
(Potential difference)?
50. Why alternator rated in kVA. Not in kW?
51. Can we operate a 60HZ Transformer on 50Hz Supply Source and Vice Versa?
52. What would happen if a power transformer designed for operation on 50 Hz (frequency)
were connected to a 5 Hz (frequency) source of the same voltage?
53. What would happen if a power transformer designed for operation on 50 Hz (frequency)
were connected to a 500 Hz (frequency) source of the same voltage?
54. What will happen if the primary of a transformer is connected to D.C supply?
55. Why Transformer Rating In kVA, Not in KW?
56. Main Difference between contactor and Starter.
57. Why We Need to Install a Starter with a Motor?
58. Why XL (Inductive Reactance) In DC Supply Is Zero (0)?
59. What is motor starter?
60. How to calculate the value of resistor for LEDs (with different types of LEDs circuits)
61. How to Calculate/Find the Rating of Transformer in kVA (Single Phase and Three
Phase)?
62. How to Check a Capacitor with Digital (Multi meter) and Analog (AVO Meter). By Four
(4) Methods with pictorial View.
63. What is the Q Factor in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
64. How to Get Connection from Solar Panel. Back Side of The Solar Panel Junction Box
and The Function of Diodes in it.
65. Power Factor improvement Methods with Their advantages & Disadvantages
66. Causes of Low power Factor
67. Advantages of Power factor improvement and Correction:
68. How to Calculate the Suitable Capacitor Size in Farads & kVAR for Power factor
Improvement (Easiest way ever)
69. How to Convert Capacitor Farads into kVAR and Vice Versa (For Power factor
improvement)
70. Why Power Plant Capacity Rated in MW and not in MVA?
71. Working and Construction of Electric Phase or Line Tester
72. How to find Diversity Factor in Electrical Wiring Installation
73. Series, Parallel and Series-Parallel Configuration of Batteries
74. How to Connect a Portable Generator to Home Supply System (Three Methods)
75. Nortons Theorem. Easy Step by Step Procedure with Example (Pictorial Views)
76. Thevenins Theorem. Easy Step by Step Procedure with Example (Pictorial Views)
77. Difference between Unilateral and Bi-Lateral Circuits & Elements
78. How to determine the number of Nodes, Branches, Loops and Meshes in a Circuit?
79. What is The Main Difference between Linear and Nonlinear Circuit
80. A Voltmeter, an ammeter (Ampere meter) and a battery cell are connected in series. It is
observed that ammeter practically shows No Deflection. Why?
81. How to calculate or Find the value of SMD Resistors
82. How to determine the suitable size of cable for Electrical Wiring Installation with Solved
Examples (in both British and Si System)
83. What is the difference between AC and DC Resistance & How to calculate it?
84. Electric circuits / Networks and important terms related to it you must know
85. Why AC rated in Tons, Not in kW or kVA? A Guide about Airconditioner and
Refrigeration