1. What is HP to kW Conversion?

Definition: This calculator converts power measurements from horsepower (HP) to kilowatts (kW).

Purpose: It helps engineers, mechanics, and technicians work with power units across different measurement systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Power in kilowatts
• \( HP \) — Power in horsepower

Explanation: 1 mechanical horsepower is equal to exactly 0.74569987 kilowatts (standard conversion factor rounded to 0.746).

3. Importance of Power Unit Conversion

Details: Converting between HP (imperial system) and kW (metric system) is essential for international equipment specifications, energy calculations, and system compatibility.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the horsepower value (must be > 0) and the calculator will automatically compute the equivalent kilowatts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What types of horsepower does this convert?
A: This converts mechanical horsepower (also called imperial horsepower). There are other types (metric, electrical) with slightly different conversion factors.

Q2: Why is the conversion factor 0.746?
A: This comes from the exact definition: 1 HP = 550 foot-pounds per second = 745.699871582 Watts ≈ 0.746 kW.

Q3: How precise is this conversion?
A: The conversion is precise to 3 decimal places (0.746). For more precision, use 0.7457.

Q4: What's a typical kW equivalent for common HP values?
A: 1 HP ≈ 0.75 kW, 10 HP ≈ 7.5 kW, 100 HP ≈ 75 kW.

Q5: When would I need to convert HP to kW?
A: When working with international equipment specs, electrical systems, or energy efficiency calculations that use metric units.