{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"apparent-energy-meter","name":"Apparent-energy meter","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"kVAh","aliases":["kVAh meter","volt-ampere-hour meter"],"category":"measurement-protection","drawingTypes":["SLD","Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC","Manufacturer"],"summary":"Integrating meter that totalises apparent energy in kVAh, used where tariffs charge on kVA rather than kW.","description":["An apparent-energy meter totalises volt-amperes over time. Some network tariffs and demand charges are based on kVA, so this register appears on supply-point single-line diagrams beside the kWh and kvarh registers of the revenue meter.","Apparent energy can be calculated in more than one way when harmonics or unbalance are present, for example arithmetically from each phase or vectorially from total watts and vars. The symbol does not say which method is used, and two meters with different methods can disagree."],"readingNotes":["Check which calculation method the meter uses.","Read with the kWh and kvarh registers at the same point."],"drawingChecklist":["State calculation method","Show CT and VT ratios","Give accuracy class"],"distinction":"A kVAh meter totalises apparent energy; a kWh meter totalises only the active part.","facts":[{"label":"Integrated quantity","value":"Apparent energy (kVAh)"},{"label":"Typical use","value":"kVA-based tariffs and demand charges"},{"label":"Preview","value":"Independent educational concept; consult the applicable standard and project legend for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"pub-symbol-energy-meter","relevance":"Public explanation of energy and power measurement quantities used by meters."},{"sourceId":"iec-diagrams","relevance":"IEC context for graphical symbols used in diagrams; no IEC graphic is reproduced."}],"related":["active-energy-meter","reactive-energy-meter","integrating-instrument-general-symbol"],"artwork":"s28-apparent-energy-meter","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Apparent-energy meter mean?","introduction":"An apparent-energy meter totalises volt-amperes over time. Some network tariffs and demand charges are based on kVA, so this register appears on supply-point single-line diagrams beside the kWh and kvarh registers of the revenue meter.","example":"Apparent energy can be calculated in more than one way when harmonics or unbalance are present, for example arithmetically from each phase or vectorially from total watts and vars. The symbol does not say which method is used, and two meters with different methods can disagree.","drawings":"Check which calculation method the meter uses. Read with the kWh and kvarh registers at the same point. A kVAh meter totalises apparent energy; a kWh meter totalises only the active part.","terms":[{"name":"Phase","meaning":"One of the related AC waveforms in a power system."},{"name":"Schematic","meaning":"A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"Power and energy measurement quantities","url":"https://www.se.com/ph/en/faqs/FA343278/"},{"label":"IEC graphical symbols for diagrams","url":"https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/"}],"detail":"Integrating meter that totalises apparent energy in kVAh, used where tariffs charge on kVA rather than kW. A kVAh meter totalises apparent energy; a kWh meter totalises only the active part.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/apparent-energy-meter","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/apparent-energy-meter.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"pub-symbol-energy-meter","title":"Power and energy measurement quantities","publisher":"Schneider Electric","url":"https://www.se.com/ph/en/faqs/FA343278/","type":"manufacturer","scope":"Public manufacturer explanation of the equipment function and selection context.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public explanation of energy and power measurement quantities used by meters."},{"id":"iec-diagrams","title":"IEC graphical symbols for diagrams","publisher":"IEC","url":"https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/","type":"standard","scope":"IEC 60617 and related symbol-design publications. Full database access requires a subscription.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"IEC context for graphical symbols used in diagrams; no IEC graphic is reproduced."}]}