What Is a Power Converter?
A power converter transforms values between power units including watts, kilowatts, horsepower, BTU per hour, and foot-pounds per second. Power measures the rate of energy transfer, making this tool essential for electrical, mechanical, and HVAC applications.
How to Use This Power Converter
- Enter the power value to convert.
- Select the source unit (e.g., horsepower).
- Choose the target unit (e.g., kilowatts) and view the result.
Key Concepts
The watt (W) is the SI unit of power, equal to 1 joule per second. Key conversions: 1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts. 1 horsepower (mechanical) = 745.7 watts. 1 BTU/hr = 0.293071 watts. 1 metric horsepower (PS) = 735.499 watts. Electric motors, car engines, and home appliances all rate their output in watts or horsepower.
Result = Value × (From Factor ÷ To Factor)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mechanical and metric horsepower?
Mechanical (imperial) horsepower = 745.7 W. Metric horsepower (PS/CV) = 735.5 W. The difference is about 1.4%. Japanese and European cars often use PS.
How many watts does a typical household use?
An average US household uses about 1.2 kilowatts continuously (about 30 kWh per day). Peak usage during high-demand periods can reach 5-10 kW.
How do watts relate to electricity bills?
Your bill measures kilowatt-hours: power (kW) multiplied by time (hours). A 100W bulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh.