Advanced Power Converter
Instantly convert between Watts, Kilowatts, Horsepower, BTUs, and more. Precise calculations for engineering, physics, and automotive applications.
| Horsepower (hp) | 1.341 hp |
| BTU/h | 3,412 BTU/h |
| Watts | 1,000 W |
Understanding Power Units: A Comprehensive Guide
Power is a fundamental concept in physics and engineering, defined as the rate at which work is performed or energy is transferred over time. Whether you are sizing an electric motor, calculating the cooling capacity of an air conditioner, or analyzing the output of a car engine, understanding how to convert between different units of power is essential.
The Watt (W) and Kilowatt (kW)
The Watt is the SI (International System of Units) derived unit of power. It is defined as one joule per second. Named after the Scottish engineer James Watt, it is the standard for measuring electrical and mechanical power in scientific contexts.
- Kilowatt (kW): Equal to 1,000 Watts. This is the most common unit for electricity billing and sizing household appliances.
- Megawatt (MW): Equal to 1,000,000 Watts. Used for large-scale power plants and industrial grids.
Horsepower: Mechanical vs. Metric
Horsepower is a unit of measurement that originated from the need to compare the power of steam engines with the power of draft horses. However, there are two distinct definitions commonly used today:
- Mechanical Horsepower (hp): Also known as Imperial horsepower. Defined as approximately 745.7 Watts. This is the standard used in the United States and the UK, particularly in the automotive industry.
- Metric Horsepower (PS, cv, ch): Defined as exactly 735.5 Watts. This is widely used in Europe and Asia.
Thermal Units: BTU per Hour
The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a measure of heat energy. In power terms, BTU per hour (BTU/h) represents the rate of heat transfer. This unit is ubiquitous in the HVAC industry for rating air conditioners, furnaces, and heaters. One Watt is approximately equal to 3.412 BTU/h.
How to Use This Converter
This tool handles complex conversions instantly. Simply enter your known value in the "Input Power" field on the left. Select your current unit (e.g., Horsepower) from the dropdown. Then, select the unit you wish to convert to on the right (e.g., Kilowatts). The tool will automatically calculate the result and even display the specific multiplication or division factor used for the math.