EFFECTIVE POWER

In alternating-current power transmission and distribution, the product of the rms voltage and amperage, i.e., the apparent power , multiplied by the power factor , i.e., the cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and the current. Note: Only effective power, i.e., the actual power delivered to or consumed by the load , is expressed in watts. Apparent power is properly expressed only in volt-amperes, never watts. Synonym true power. See figure on following page.