How much power is equivalent to one horsepower?

One horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts. This relationship is based on the definition of horsepower, originally defined by James Watt in the late 18th century to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses. The conversion factor of 746 watts arises from experiments conducted by Watt, who found that a horse could perform a specific amount of work in a given time, which, when calculated, resulted in this wattage figure.

Therefore, when you hear the term horsepower in relation to electric motors or engines, you can confidently convert it to watts by using the factor of 746. This is a crucial understanding in electrical applications, as it allows for accurate calculations of energy consumption and output across various machinery and devices.