Is the electrical scale VA for VoltAmp the same as saying volts x amps = watts?

Not quite. For many components the maximum volts and the maximum amps do not occur at the same time.

This applies to welders, motors and anything that uses magnetism or capacitance.
The product of V * A will be greater or equal to the power in Watts but never less.

So a welding machine ( magnetic) that draws 15 Amp at 240 Volts. uses LESS than 3600 W
But it does use a peak current of 15 * sqrt( 2) at some moments.
So the RMS current is actually 15 amps....Show more