How to Convert HP to Amps & Volts
Horsepower, or HP, is a common statistic for measuring the mechanical energy output of an engine. It is sometimes useful to convert that mechanical measure into its equivalent in electricity. Getting to amps and volts, however, requires a middle step. This is because watts are the best match for horsepower. Comparing amps and volts to HP is a case of apples and oranges.
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Instructions
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Convert horsepower into kilowatts, which is a metric measurement of 1,000 watts. Multiply the HP by 0.746 (HP * 0.746). As an example, a 180-HP car engine converts to 134.28 kilowatts or 134,280 watts.
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Convert watts to amps using the following formula: watts divided by volts = amps (watts/volts = amps). Note this requires you to know the voltage. Without it, you cannot determine amperage. Using the model and the standard U.S. household voltage of 110 volts, our equation is 134,280 watts/110 volts = 1,220.72 amps.
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Convert watts to volts using the following formula: watts divided by amps = volts. Note that you will need to know the amps to complete the equation. Following the continuing model and using 10 amps: 134,280 watts/10 amps = 13,428 volts (very high voltage indeed).
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Tips & Warnings
Watts and horsepower are similar because they are both measurements of energy applied to work. Using plumbing as an analogy, amps are similar to gallons delivered per minute; volts are the water pressure in the pipes.
It is impossible to convert horsepower to either amps or volts if at least one of these numbers is not already known.
