How to Convert Amps to Horse Power

An amp is a unit of measure of electrical intensity, while horse power (HP) is a unit of measure of work that can be done. For example, one HP describes the work that can lift 550 pounds of weight one foot in one second. Electrical intensity expressed in amps can only be used to calculate work that can be done when the flow of electricity, referred to as voltage, is known. This article will explain how to convert amps and voltage to horse power.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator

Instructions

1. Determine the voltage. Common voltages found in homes in the United States are 120 or 240 volts.

2. Multiply the known amps by volts. For example, a 5 amp motor plugged into a 120-volt power source would equal 600 watts. Watts can then be converted into horse power. 745.7 watts equal one horse power or one watt equals .00134 horse power.

3. Multiply the watts by .00134 to determine the horse power. For example, 600 watts equals 804 horse power.

Tips & Warnings

• Understand this is the theoretical amount of work that can be done assuming 100% efficiency. Electric motors lose some of the energy they draw to resistance in electrical wiring and friction. The actual horse power generated by a given electrical appliance can vary greatly.

References

• Explanation of Horsepower
• Explanation of Amps, Volts, and Watts