Mark Hull-Richter wrote: > On 5/29/07, Jim Perrin <jperrin at gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Watts = Volts x Amps. I usually use a sliding scale based on # of >> machines. > > That has to be the stupidest marketing strategy ever devised. Most > people (yeah, me too) know that, but why can't they SAY so instead of > using "VA"?... Actually, I think there's a technical reason why they don't say 1500W instead of 1500VA. And if you look at the specs for the 1500VA unit, it doesn't work out to 1500W. http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA1500 Output Power Capacity 980 Watts / 1440 VA Max Configurable Power 980 Watts / 1440 VA Nominal Output Voltage 120V I don't remember enough of my electrical stuff to say why (it has to do with DC to AC conversion... I think... and maybe some RMS stuff?).