HP to Electrical kW

Power Conversion Formula:

\[ P_{kW} = HP \times 0.746 \]

Electrical Power (kW):

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1. What is HP to Electrical kW Conversion?

Definition: This calculator converts mechanical horsepower (HP) to electrical kilowatts (kW).

Purpose: It helps engineers and technicians convert between mechanical and electrical power units for motor specifications and energy calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ P_{kW} = HP \times 0.746 \]

Where:

\( P_{kW} \) — Electrical power in kilowatts
\( HP \) — Mechanical power in horsepower

Explanation: 1 horsepower is equivalent to approximately 0.746 kilowatts. This conversion factor accounts for the difference between mechanical and electrical power measurements.

3. Importance of Power Conversion

Details: Accurate conversion between HP and kW is essential for proper motor sizing, electrical system design, and energy efficiency calculations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the horsepower value (must be > 0) and the calculator will provide the equivalent electrical power in kilowatts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the conversion factor 0.746?
A: This comes from the definition of 1 HP = 550 ft-lb/s = 745.7 watts (rounded to 0.746 kW).

Q2: Is this conversion exact?
A: It's a standard engineering conversion, though the exact value is 745.699872 watts per HP.

Q3: Does this account for motor efficiency?
A: No, this is a direct unit conversion. Actual electrical input power would be higher due to efficiency losses.

Q4: Can I convert kW back to HP?
A: Yes, divide kW by 0.746 to get HP (or multiply by 1.341 for the inverse conversion).

Q5: Is this the same for metric horsepower?
A: No, metric HP (PS) uses a conversion factor of 0.7355 kW per HP.