1. What is HP to kW Conversion?

The HP to kW conversion is used to translate mechanical horsepower (HP) to electrical kilowatts (kW), particularly important for sizing 3-phase transformers and electrical equipment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard conversion formula:

Where:

• \( HP \) — Mechanical horsepower
• \( 0.7457 \) — Conversion factor (1 HP = 0.7457 kW)

Explanation: This conversion accounts for the difference between mechanical and electrical power units.

3. Importance of Power Conversion

Details: Accurate power conversion is essential for properly sizing transformers, circuit breakers, and other electrical components in industrial applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the horsepower value (must be greater than 0) and the calculator will automatically compute the equivalent kilowatts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the conversion factor 0.7457?
A: This factor comes from the exact definition of 1 horsepower = 745.7 watts, so 1 HP = 0.7457 kW.

Q2: Does this apply to all types of motors?
A: Yes, the conversion is the same regardless of motor type (induction, synchronous, etc.), but actual electrical input may vary due to efficiency.

Q3: How does this relate to 3-phase systems?
A: The conversion is the same, but 3-phase power calculations require additional factors like voltage, current, and power factor.

Q4: Should I add a safety factor?
A: For transformer sizing, it's common to add 20-25% to the calculated kW to account for startup currents and future expansion.

Q5: What about metric horsepower?
A: Metric horsepower (PS) uses a slightly different conversion factor (1 PS = 0.7355 kW).