What unit measures "real" power?

The unit that measures "real" power is the kilowatt. Real power, also referred to as active power, is the portion of electrical power that actually performs work in a circuit. It represents the actual consumption or utilization of electrical energy by devices such as motors, heaters, and lights, and is expressed in kilowatts (kW).

In electrical systems, real power is crucial since it indicates the power that can be used effectively to perform tasks. Unlike reactive power, which does not contribute to useful work and is measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR), real power is the value that engineers and electricians focus on when determining energy consumption and appliance ratings.

Kilovolt-amp, while related to the total power in an AC circuit, includes both real and reactive power. Kilovolt-amp-reactance does not measure power per se; instead, it deals with the reactive component related to the inertia of the electrical system. Joules is a unit of energy, not a power measurement. Thus, kilowatt is the correct unit for measuring "real" power.