Why Electric Motors are Rated in kW and not in kVA?

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Unlike Generators and Transformers, Electric Motors are rated in kW instead of kVA. We have already discussed why electric transformers are rated in kVA. This article explains why electric motors are rated in kW.

We know that,

kVA = Voltage×Current

kW  = Voltage×Current×Power Factor 

In the case of the transformer and generator, the designer or manufacturer does not know what is the actual power factor of the system. It is because while designing a transformer or generator the designer cannot predict the power factor.

The power factor of an electrical system depends on the nature of the connected load ie., inductive, resistive or capacitive. Since the power factor is unknown both generator and transformer are rated in kVA.

But in the case of a motor, it has a fixed power factor. That is why the power factor is included in the nameplate data. Hence, Electric Motors are rated in kW and not in kVA.

In addition, Motor is a device which converts electrical power into mechanical power. In this case, the load is not electrical, but mechanical (Motor’s Output) and we take into the account only active power which has to be converted into the mechanical load. Moreover, the motor power factor does not depend on the load and it works on any power factor because of its design.