About Power Conversion
Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. It's a fundamental concept in physics and engineering, with applications ranging from electrical systems to mechanical engines and thermodynamics.
Common Use Cases
- Electric motor ratings (watts or horsepower)
- HVAC system sizing (BTU/hour or tons of refrigeration)
- Energy consumption measurement (kilowatts)
- Mechanical power transmission (horsepower)
- Dietary energy burn rates (calories/second)
Frequently Asked Questions
kW (kilowatt) measures real power, while kVA (kilovolt-ampere) measures apparent power. For purely resistive loads, kW and kVA are equal, but for reactive loads (with inductance or capacitance), kVA will be higher due to power factor.
One mechanical horsepower (hp) is approximately 745.7 watts. It was originally defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second. Metric horsepower (PS) is slightly less at about 735.5 watts.
A ton of refrigeration is a unit of power used in cooling systems. It's defined as the rate of heat transfer that results in the freezing or melting of 1 short ton (2,000 lb) of pure ice at 0°C in 24 hours, equivalent to approximately 3.51685 kW.