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Horsepower (metric) (PS) to Horsepower (British) (hp) conversion

Horsepower (metric) to Horsepower (British) conversion table

Horsepower (metric) (PS)Horsepower (British) (hp)
00
10.9863200702488
21.9726401404975
32.9589602107463
43.945280280995
54.9316003512438
65.9179204214925
76.9042404917413
87.89056056199
98.8768806322388
109.8632007024875
2019.726401404975
3029.589602107463
4039.45280280995
5049.316003512438
6059.179204214925
7069.042404917413
8078.9056056199
9088.768806322388
10098.632007024875
1000986.32007024875

How to convert horsepower (metric) to horsepower (british)?

Converting between metric and British horsepower involves a direct conversion factor. Here's how to do it:

Understanding Horsepower Conversion

Horsepower, a unit of power, comes in two common flavors: metric (PS, for Pferdestärke, German for "horse strength") and British (hp). While both measure power, they are defined differently.

Conversion Formulas

  • Metric Horsepower (PS) to British Horsepower (hp):

    1 PS≈0.98632 hp1 \text{ PS} \approx 0.98632 \text{ hp}

  • British Horsepower (hp) to Metric Horsepower (PS):

    1 hp≈1.01387 PS1 \text{ hp} \approx 1.01387 \text{ PS}

Step-by-Step Conversions

Converting 1 Metric Horsepower (PS) to British Horsepower (hp):

  1. Start with 1 PS.
  2. Multiply by the conversion factor: 1 PS×0.98632≈0.98632 hp1 \text{ PS} \times 0.98632 \approx 0.98632 \text{ hp}.

Therefore, 1 metric horsepower is approximately 0.98632 British horsepower.

Converting 1 British Horsepower (hp) to Metric Horsepower (PS):

  1. Start with 1 hp.
  2. Multiply by the conversion factor: 1 hp×1.01387≈1.01387 PS1 \text{ hp} \times 1.01387 \approx 1.01387 \text{ PS}.

Therefore, 1 British horsepower is approximately 1.01387 metric horsepower.

Historical Context and Interesting Facts

The term "horsepower" was popularized by James Watt, a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer, in the late 18th century. Watt needed a way to market his improved steam engine, so he compared its power to that of horses, which were a common power source at the time. He estimated that a horse could lift 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute. This became the standard definition for British horsepower. Britannica - Horsepower

The metric horsepower (PS) is slightly different and is defined as the power required to raise a mass of 75 kilograms against the Earth's gravitational force over a distance of one meter in one second.

Real-World Examples of Related Conversions

While you don't directly convert from other quantities to horsepower, you often encounter horsepower when discussing other related units, such as:

  • Torque: Horsepower is often calculated from torque (rotational force) and RPM (revolutions per minute). For example, you might see torque in Newton-meters (Nm) and need to understand the corresponding horsepower.
  • Wattage: Horsepower can be converted to watts (W), the SI unit of power. This is useful when comparing the power of engines to electrical appliances. 1 hp≈745.7 W1 \text{ hp} \approx 745.7 \text{ W}. 1 PS≈735.5 W1 \text{ PS} \approx 735.5 \text{ W}.
  • Kilowatts: Similar to wattage, you might convert horsepower to kilowatts (kW), a more convenient unit for larger power outputs.

For example, understanding these conversions helps engineers and mechanics compare different engine specifications or assess the efficiency of mechanical systems.

See below section for step by step unit conversion with formulas and explanations. Please refer to the table below for a list of all the Horsepower (British) to other unit conversions.

What is Horsepower (metric)?

This section will provide a comprehensive overview of metric horsepower, including its definition, origins, calculation, and real-world applications.

Definition and Origin

Metric horsepower (PS, PferdeStärke in German, or cheval-vapeur in French) is a unit of power defined as the power required to raise a mass of 75 kilograms against Earth's gravitational force over a distance of one meter in one second. It is slightly less than the imperial horsepower.

Calculation

The value of one metric horsepower is:

1 PS=75 kg⋅9.80665 m/s2⋅1 m1 s≈735.499 watts1 \text{ PS} = \frac{75 \text{ kg} \cdot 9.80665 \text{ m/s}^2 \cdot 1 \text{ m}}{1 \text{ s}} \approx 735.499 \text{ watts}

Therefore, approximately:

1 PS≈0.98632 hp1 \text{ PS} \approx 0.98632 \text{ hp} (Imperial Horsepower)

1 hp≈1.01387 PS1 \text{ hp} \approx 1.01387 \text{ PS}

Historical Context

The term "horsepower" was originally coined by James Watt to compare the output of steam engines to the power of draft horses. While Watt's original definition is related to the imperial horsepower, the metric horsepower evolved separately on the European continent, primarily for similar comparisons involving machinery and animal power.

Real-World Examples

  • Automobiles: Engine power is commonly specified in metric horsepower in many parts of the world. For example, a typical family car might have an engine rated at 150 PS.
  • Motorcycles: Motorcycle engine power is also frequently stated in metric horsepower.
  • Agricultural Machinery: Tractors and other farming equipment often have their power output measured in PS.
  • Industrial Pumps and Motors: The power of pumps, fans, and electric motors used in industrial applications can be rated in metric horsepower. For example a pump may be rated at 5 PS.

Fun fact

While not commonly named after any specific person or law, it's interesting to know how metric horsepower is used across Europe. It gives the user a good understanding of the "power" of a machine.

What is Horsepower (British)?

Horsepower is a unit of power, commonly used to measure the rate at which work is done. Specifically, it quantifies the amount of energy transferred or converted per unit of time. The "British" qualifier often distinguishes it from other variations, such as metric horsepower.

Definition and Origins

British horsepower (hp) is defined as the power required to raise a weight of 33,000 pounds by one foot in one minute. This is equivalent to 550 foot-pounds per second.

The concept of horsepower was popularized by James Watt in the late 18th century. He used it to market his improved steam engine, comparing its power output to that of horses, which were a common source of power at the time. Watt determined that a typical horse could turn a mill wheel 144 times in an hour, or 2.4 times a minute, with a radius of 12 feet. This led to his calculation of 32,400 foot-pounds per minute, which he then rounded up to 33,000 foot-pounds per minute for marketing purposes.

Formula and Calculation

The formula for calculating horsepower is:

Horsepower=WorkTime=Force×DistanceTimeHorsepower = \frac{Work}{Time} = \frac{Force \times Distance}{Time}

Where:

  • Work is measured in foot-pounds (ft⋅lb)
  • Force is measured in pounds (lb)
  • Distance is measured in feet (ft)
  • Time is measured in minutes (min)

Thus, 1 hp = 33,000 ft⋅lb/min or 550 ft⋅lb/s

Conversion to Other Units

Horsepower can be converted to other units of power, such as:

  • Watts (W): 1 hp ≈ 745.7 W
  • Kilowatts (kW): 1 hp ≈ 0.7457 kW
  • Metric Horsepower (PS): 1 hp ≈ 1.0139 PS

Real-World Examples

  • Car Engines: The power output of car engines is commonly measured in horsepower. For example, a typical family sedan might have an engine that produces around 150-200 hp, while a high-performance sports car can generate over 500 hp.
  • Motorcycles: Similar to cars, the power of motorcycle engines is often specified in horsepower. A small motorcycle might have around 20-30 hp, while a high-performance sportbike can have over 200 hp.
  • Lawn Mowers: The power of lawn mower engines is typically measured in horsepower. A small push mower might have around 3-4 hp, while a larger riding mower can have 20 hp or more.
  • Industrial Machinery: Many types of industrial machinery, such as pumps, compressors, and generators, are rated in horsepower. The horsepower rating indicates the amount of work the machine can perform in a given amount of time.

Interesting Facts

  • James Watt, the Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer, is credited with developing the concept of horsepower to market his steam engine.
  • The term "horsepower" is still widely used today, even though modern engines are far more efficient than the original steam engines that Watt designed.
  • There are several different definitions of horsepower, including mechanical horsepower (which is the same as British horsepower), metric horsepower, and electrical horsepower. These different definitions can lead to some confusion, so it's important to be aware of which definition is being used.
  • The amount of horsepower required to perform a particular task depends on the amount of work that needs to be done and the time in which it needs to be done. For example, it takes more horsepower to accelerate a car quickly than it does to maintain a constant speed on a level road.

Horsepower in Everyday Life

Understanding horsepower can help you make informed decisions when purchasing vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. It can also give you a better appreciation for the amount of work that different types of engines and machines are capable of performing. For more information on power and energy see this page on Energy Education.

Complete Horsepower (metric) conversion table

Enter # of Horsepower (metric)
Convert 1 PS to other unitsResult
Horsepower (metric) to Watts (PS to W)735.49875
Horsepower (metric) to Milliwatts (PS to mW)735498.75
Horsepower (metric) to Kilowatts (PS to kW)0.73549875
Horsepower (metric) to Megawatts (PS to MW)0.00073549875
Horsepower (metric) to Gigawatts (PS to GW)7.3549875e-7
Horsepower (metric) to British thermal units per second (PS to Btu/s)0.6971182104441
Horsepower (metric) to Foot-pounds per second (PS to ft-lb/s)542.47603863681
Horsepower (metric) to Horsepower (British) (PS to hp)0.9863200702488

Power conversions