Converting watts (W) to kilovolt-amperes (kVA) is essential for understanding electrical power in AC circuits. While watts measure real power—the actual energy consumed or produced—kVA represents apparent power, which combines real power and reactive power. The relationship between these two is defined by the power factor (PF), a ratio indicating the efficiency of the electrical system, typically ranging between 0 and 1. To perform the conversion, use the formula: kVA = W / (1,000 × PF). For example, if you have a device consuming 5,000 watts with a power factor of 0.8, the apparent power in kVA would be calculated as follows: kVA = 5,000 W / (1,000 × 0.8) = 6.25 kVA. Accurate conversion is crucial for designing and assessing electrical systems to ensure they operate efficiently and safely.