do volt amps equal watts?
The volt-ampere is dimensionally equivalent to the watt (in SI units, 1 V⋅A = 1 N⋅m⋅A−1⋅s−1⋅A = 1 N⋅m⋅s−1 = 1 J⋅s−1 = 1 W). VA rating is most useful in rating wires and switches (and other power handling equipment) for inductive loads. With a purely resistive load, the apparent power is equal to the real power.