Motor Horsepower to kW Calculator

Power Conversion Formula:

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

Power (kW):

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1. What is a Motor Horsepower to kW Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps engineers, electricians, and technicians work with power ratings in different unit systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

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

Where:

\( P_{\text{kW}} \) — Power in kilowatts
\( \text{HP} \) — Power in horsepower
0.746 — Conversion factor (1 HP = 0.746 kW)

Explanation: The horsepower value is multiplied by the constant conversion factor of 0.746 to get the equivalent power in kilowatts.

3. Importance of Power Unit Conversion

Details: Converting between HP and kW is essential for proper motor selection, electrical system design, and international equipment specifications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the motor horsepower value. The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent power in kilowatts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the conversion factor 0.746?
A: This comes from the definition of horsepower (1 HP = 550 ft-lb/s) converted to metric units (1 kW = 1000 W).

Q2: Is this conversion exact?
A: Yes, 1 mechanical horsepower is exactly 0.745699872 kW, though we typically use 0.746 for practical calculations.

Q3: Does this work for all types of horsepower?
A: This calculator uses mechanical horsepower. Metric horsepower (PS) uses a different conversion factor (1 PS = 0.7355 kW).

Q4: When would I need to convert HP to kW?
A: When working with electrical systems (rated in kW) that power motors (rated in HP), or when comparing international equipment specs.

Q5: How precise should I be with the input?
A: For most applications, 2 decimal places is sufficient, though the calculator accepts up to 6 decimal places.