VOLT AMPERES REACTIVE (VARS)

In alternating-current power transmission and distribution, the product of the rms voltage and amperage, i.e., the apparent power , multiplied by the sine of the phase angle between the voltage and the current. Note 1: Vars represents the power not consumed by a reactive load , i.e., when there is a phase difference between the applied voltage and the current. Note 2: Only effective power , i.e., the actual power delivered to or consumed by the load, is expressed in watts. Volt-amperes reactive is properly expressed only in volt-amperes, never watts. Note 3: To maximize transmission efficiency, vars must be minimized by balancing capacitive and inductive loads, or by the addition of an appropriate capacitive or inductive reactance to the load.