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To convert from Horsepower (British) (hp) to Watt (W), use the following formula:
With is the ratio between the base units Watt (W) and Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s).
Let's convert 5 Horsepower (British) (hp) to Watt (W).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Horsepower (British) (hp) is equal to Watt (W).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Horsepower (British) (hp) to Watt (W):
| Horsepower (British) | Watts |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 hp | W |
| 0.001 hp | W |
| 0.1 hp | W |
| 1 hp | W |
| 2 hp | W |
| 3 hp | W |
| 4 hp | W |
| 5 hp | W |
| 6 hp | W |
| 7 hp | W |
| 8 hp | W |
| 9 hp | W |
| 10 hp | W |
| 20 hp | W |
| 30 hp | W |
| 40 hp | W |
| 50 hp | W |
| 100 hp | W |
| 1000 hp | W |
| 10000 hp | W |
British horsepower (hp) is a unit used to measure power, most commonly in the imperial system of measurement.
It was initially created to describe the amount of work a horse could do over a period of time.
In simple terms, one horsepower is defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds by a distance of one foot in just one second.
The concept of horsepower was invented by Scottish engineer James Watt in the late 18th century.
To help sell his new steam engines, he needed a simple way to compare their power to something people already understood: the strength of a draft horse.
After observing horses at work, Watt calculated that an average horse could lift 550 pounds at a rate of one foot per second.
He established this value as the standard for one horsepower (hp), creating a brilliant marketing tool that is still used today.
It can be hard to picture what "550 foot-pounds per second" feels like. Here's a more modern way to think about it:
Imagine lifting a 55-pound bag of dog food 10 feet into the air in just one second.
The power you would need to do that is roughly equal to one horsepower.
This simple standard created a practical way to measure and compare the power of different engines and motors.
In modern science and most parts of the world, the standard unit for power is the watt (W), named after James Watt.
The conversion between horsepower and watts is essential for comparing specifications on modern electronics and machinery.
The conversion is:
This means an engine rated at 10 hp has a power output of approximately 7,457 watts, or about 7.5 kilowatts (kW).
A watt (W) is the basic unit of power used to measure the rate of energy transfer.
In simple terms, it tells you how much energy a device uses per second. For example, a 60-watt light bulb uses 60 joules of energy every second.
In electrical systems, the formula is Watts = Volts × Amps.
The unit of power, the watt (W), is named in honor of James Watt, an 18th-century Scottish inventor and engineer.
His groundbreaking improvements to the steam engine were a key part of the Industrial Revolution. Naming the unit after him honors his major contributions to energy science.
Formally, a watt is defined as the rate of energy transfer equal to one joule per second.
In electrical systems, one watt is the power produced when a current of one ampere (A) flows through an electrical potential difference of one volt (V).
This fundamental relationship is a cornerstone of electrical engineering.
The relationship between power (P), voltage (V), and current (I) is expressed by the simple formula:
P = V × I
Where:
Understanding watts helps you see how much energy your common devices consume.
This is essential for comparing the energy efficiency of appliances and understanding your electricity bill. Here are some practical examples:
By checking the wattage on your devices, you can get a better sense of which ones use the most power in your home.