This is a form of power measurement called "Volt-Amps". A VA rating is the Volts rating multiplied by the Amps (current) rating. The VA rating can be used to indicate the
output capacity of a UPS or other power source or it can be used to indicate the input power requirement of a computer or other AC load. For loads, the VA rating
multiplied by the Power Factor is equal to the Watts rating. The VA rating of a load must always be greater than or equal to the Watts rating because Power Factor cannot be
greater than 1.


POWER FACTOR

This is a number between 0 and 1 which represents the portion of the VA delivered to the AC load which actually delivers energy to the AC load. With some equipment
such as motors or computers, AMPS flow into the equipment without being usefully converted to energy. This happens if the current is distorted (has HARMONICS) or if
the current is not in PHASE with the voltage applied to the equipment. Computers draw HARMONIC currents which cause their power factor to be less than 1. Motors
draw out of phase or REACTIVE currents that cause their power factor to be less than 1.