Varmeters

gives the apparent power: the combination of the true power (which does the work) and the reactive power (which does no work and is returned to the line). Reactive power is measured in units of vars (volt-amperes reactive) or kilovars (kilovolt-amperes reactive, abbreviated kVAR). When properly connected, wattmeters measure the reactive power. As such, they are called varmeters. Figure 155 shows a varmeter connected in an AC circuit.