Power Converter – Convert Between All Power Units

Power Converter

Convert between 100+ power units including watts, kilowatts, horsepower, BTU, and more.

Power Conversion Calculator

Converting…

Conversion Result

Converted Value
0
Conversion Formula
1 W = 1 W

Conversion Steps

Unit Details

Watt
Symbol:
W
Conversion Factor:
1 watt
The watt is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one joule per second. It is used to quantify the rate of energy transfer.
Kilowatt
Symbol:
kW
Conversion Factor:
1000 watts
A kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts. It is commonly used to express the output power of engines and the power consumption of electric devices.

About Power Conversion

Understanding Power Measurement

Power is the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. It is a fundamental concept in physics and engineering, representing how quickly work can be done or energy can be converted from one form to another. The standard unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) is the watt, named after James Watt, the Scottish inventor who made significant improvements to the steam engine.

Power measurement has evolved significantly over time. Early measurements were based on the work output of humans or animals, leading to units like horsepower. With the development of electrical systems and more precise scientific instruments, more standardized units were established. Today, power is measured across a vast range of scales, from the tiny power consumption of microchips to the enormous output of power plants and stars.

Categories of Power Units

Power units can be categorized into several groups based on their applications:

  • Metric Units: Based on the watt, with prefixes like kilo-, mega-, and giga- to denote larger values, and milli-, micro-, and nano- for smaller values.
  • Imperial Units: Includes horsepower and foot pound-force per second, historically used in mechanical engineering.
  • Thermal Units: BTU per hour and related units, commonly used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
  • Electrical Units: Volt-amperes and related units, used in electrical engineering to measure apparent power.
  • Energy Rate Units: Joules per second and related units, directly expressing the rate of energy transfer.

Practical Applications of Power Conversion

Power conversion is essential in numerous fields and everyday situations:

  • Engineering: Converting between different power units when designing machinery, engines, and electrical systems.
  • Energy Management: Calculating power consumption and efficiency of appliances and industrial equipment.
  • Renewable Energy: Comparing the output of solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy sources.
  • Transportation: Measuring engine power in vehicles, from cars to ships and aircraft.
  • Electronics: Determining power requirements and consumption for electronic devices and circuits.

How to Use This Converter

Our power converter tool allows you to convert between over 100 different power units quickly and accurately. Simply enter the value you want to convert, select the original unit, choose the target unit, and click the Convert button. The tool will display the converted value, the conversion formula used, and step-by-step calculations showing how the conversion was performed.

This converter is particularly useful for engineers, scientists, students, and anyone working with power measurements. All conversions are based on the latest international standards to ensure accuracy across all unit types.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between power and energy?
Power is the rate at which energy is transferred or used, while energy is the capacity to do work. Power is measured in watts, while energy is measured in joules. For example, a 100-watt light bulb uses energy at a rate of 100 joules per second.
How many watts are in one horsepower?
There are approximately 745.7 watts in one mechanical horsepower (hp). However, different types of horsepower have slightly different values: metric horsepower is about 735.5 watts, electrical horsepower is exactly 746 watts, and boiler horsepower is about 9,809.5 watts.
What is a kilowatt-hour and how does it relate to power?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy, not power. It represents the amount of energy consumed when using power at a rate of one kilowatt for one hour. For example, a 100-watt light bulb running for 10 hours uses 1 kWh of energy (100 watts × 10 hours = 1,000 watt-hours = 1 kWh).
How do I convert BTU per hour to watts?
To convert BTU per hour to watts, multiply the number of BTU/h by 0.293071. For example, 10,000 BTU/h equals 10,000 × 0.293071 = 2,930.71 watts. This conversion is commonly used in HVAC systems to compare heating and cooling capacities.
What is the difference between watt and volt-ampere?
Watt is the unit of real power, which represents the actual power consumed by a device and converted into useful work. Volt-ampere (VA) is the unit of apparent power, which is the product of voltage and current in an AC circuit. In DC circuits, they are equal, but in AC circuits with reactive components, apparent power can be greater than real power.
How much power does a typical household use?
The average household power consumption varies by country and lifestyle, but in the United States, it’s typically around 900-1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, which averages to about 1.2-1.3 kilowatts of continuous power. This can vary significantly based on climate, home size, appliance efficiency, and usage patterns.
What is a ton of refrigeration in terms of power?
A ton of refrigeration is a unit of power used in air conditioning and refrigeration. It is defined as the rate of heat transfer needed to melt one short ton (2,000 pounds) of ice at 0°C in 24 hours. One ton of refrigeration equals approximately 3,517 watts or 12,000 BTU per hour.
How do I calculate the power consumption of an appliance?
To calculate power consumption, multiply the appliance’s power rating (in watts or kilowatts) by the time it operates. For example, a 1,500-watt space heater running for 3 hours consumes 4,500 watt-hours or 4.5 kilowatt-hours of energy. To find the cost, multiply this by your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour.
What is the difference between peak power and average power?
Peak power is the maximum power level a device can achieve, even if only for a short duration. Average power is the total energy consumed divided by the total time. For example, an air conditioner might have a peak power of 2,000 watts when starting up but an average power of only 500 watts during normal operation.
Why are there so many different units for measuring power?
Different power units evolved from various industries and historical contexts. Mechanical engineering uses horsepower, electrical engineering uses watts and volt-amperes, HVAC uses BTU per hour, and scientific research uses joules per second. While the watt is the standard SI unit, traditional units remain in use in specific industries and regions, leading to the need for conversion tools.

Power Converter Tool

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This tool is for educational purposes. Always double-check your conversions for critical applications.