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Power Converter

Convert between power units including watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, BTU per hour, and more. Essential for electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and energy calculations.

Enter Power Value

Quick Reference:
1 kW = 1,000 W = 1.341 hp
1 hp (mechanical) = 745.7 W
1 MW = 1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
1 BTU/h = 0.293 W

All Conversions

Enter a power value to see all conversions

Real-World Power Examples

LED Light Bulb
10 W
Energy-efficient LED
Laptop Computer
50 W
Average laptop power
Microwave Oven
1000 W
Standard microwave
Hair Dryer
1.5 kW
Typical hair dryer
Electric Car
150 kW
Average EV motor
Small Car Engine
100 hp
Compact car
Truck Engine
300 hp
Heavy-duty truck
Wind Turbine
2 MW
Average wind turbine
Power Plant
500 MW
Medium power plant
Large Power Plant
1 GW
Nuclear power plant

Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done. It's measured in watts (W) in the SI system and is essential for understanding electrical systems, mechanical systems, engines, and energy consumption. This converter helps you convert between various power units used in engineering, physics, and everyday applications.

Understanding Power

Key concepts:

  • Power: Rate of energy transfer or work done. Power = Energy ÷ Time or Power = Work ÷ Time.
  • Watts (W): SI unit of power. 1 watt = 1 joule per second = 1 volt × 1 ampere.
  • Horsepower: Traditional unit for mechanical power. 1 hp = 745.7 W (mechanical).
  • Power vs. Energy: Power is instantaneous (rate), energy is cumulative (total). Power × Time = Energy.

Common Power Conversions

Metric Units:
1 W = 0.001 kW = 0.000001 MW
1 kW = 1,000 W = 0.001 MW
1 MW = 1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
1 GW = 1,000 MW = 1,000,000 kW
Horsepower:
1 hp (mechanical) = 745.7 W
1 hp (metric/PS) = 735.5 W
1 hp (electrical) = 746 W
1 kW = 1.341 hp (mechanical)

Applications of Power

Electrical:
• Device power ratings
• Circuit design
• Energy consumption
• Power generation
Mechanical:
• Engine power
• Motor ratings
• Pump capacity
• Machinery specs

Power Formulas

Common power calculation formulas:

  • Electrical Power: P = V × I (Power = Voltage × Current)
  • AC Power: P = V × I × cos(φ) (with power factor)
  • Mechanical Power: P = F × v (Power = Force × Velocity)
  • Rotational Power: P = τ × ω (Power = Torque × Angular Velocity)
  • Energy from Power: E = P × t (Energy = Power × Time)

Note: All conversions are mathematically exact based on standard conversion factors. The watt is the SI unit of power, defined as 1 joule per second. When converting horsepower, always specify the type (mechanical, metric, or electrical) as they have slightly different conversion factors. Power ratings are typically given as maximum or rated power, actual power consumption may vary.

FAQs

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