A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI). It equals 1,000 watts and is widely used to rate electrical motors, generators, and heating systems.
Understanding Electric Horsepower (hpe)
Electric horsepower is a unit traditionally used in the United States to describe the output of electric motors. One electric horsepower is defined as 746 watts.
Why Convert?
Many specifications, especially in legacy equipment catalogs, list power in horsepower, while modern engineering standards prefer kilowatts. Converting ensures compatibility across standards.
Design of HVAC systems
Selection of industrial drives
Energy billing and efficiency calculations
The exact conversion factor is \\(1\\text{ kW}=1.3404825737265416\\text{ hp}_e\\). This factor is derived from the ratio 1000 W / 746 W per hp.
Kilowatt to Horsepower (Electric) Conversion Reference Table
Mechanical horsepower (hp) is defined as 550 foot‑pounds per second (≈745.7 W). Electric horsepower (hpe) is defined as exactly 746 W. The numerical difference is tiny, but the standards differ slightly, which is why the conversion factor uses 1.3404825737265416 hpe per kW.
Yes. The factor 1 kW = 1.3404825737265416 hpe is a pure unit conversion based on the definition of the watt and the electric horsepower. It applies to any electric power rating, regardless of motor type, efficiency, or application.
"On fait la science avec des faits, comme on fait une maison avec des pierres ; mais une accumulation de faits n'est pas plus une science qu'un tas de pierres n'est une maison." "Science is built up of facts, as a house is built of stones; but an accumulation of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house." — Henri Poincaré (French Mathematician, Theoretical Physicist & Mining Engineer)