About Horsepower to Watts Conversion

What is Horsepower and Watts?

Horsepower (hp) and watts (W) are both units used to measure power, which is the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done.

• Horsepower (hp): A unit of power introduced by James Watt in the late 18th century. It was originally defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds by 1 foot in 1 second. It's commonly used to measure the power output of engines and motors, especially in the automotive industry.
• Watt (W): The standard unit of power in the International System of Units (SI). It's defined as one joule per second and is used across various fields, including electricity, mechanics, and thermodynamics.

Formula for Horsepower to Watts Conversion

The formula to convert horsepower to watts is:

\[W = hp \times 745.7\]

Where:

• \(W\) is the power in watts
• \(hp\) is the power in horsepower
• \(745.7\) is the conversion factor

Calculation Steps

1. Identify the power in horsepower.
2. Multiply the horsepower value by 745.7.
3. The result is the equivalent power in watts.

Example

Let's convert 5 horsepower to watts:

1. Given: \(hp = 5\)
2. Apply the formula: \(W = 5 \times 745.7\)
3. Calculate: \(W = 3,728.5\)

Visual representation:

Therefore, 5 horsepower is equivalent to 3,728.5 watts.