Understanding basic electrical units & conversions is essential in the electrical and power systems.
Here’s a quick reference in short detail:
1 HP = 746 Watt
(Horsepower to Watt conversion - used for motor ratings)
1 kW = 1.341 HP
(Kilowatt to horsepower - helps compare motor & generator sizes)
1 HP = 0.746 kW
(Reverse conversion - useful when converting motor power to kilowatts)
1 kVA = 1000 Watt (at PF = 1)
(Apparent power; real power depends on the power factor)
If PF = 0.8, then 1 kW = 1.25 kVA
(Used in sizing transformers & generators)
1 kVA = 1000 VA
(Basic conversion between kilo and base units)
1 Amp at 240 V = 240 Watt
(Single-phase power formula: P = V × I)
For three-phase power (415 V)
Power (kW) = √3 × V × I × PF ÷ 1000
1 Ohm (Ω) = Unit of resistance
1 kΩ = 1000 Ω
1 MΩ = 1000 kΩ
1 TON (AC capacity) = 3.517 kW
(Used to estimate air-conditioning power consumption)
These are the building blocks of electrical understanding.
Knowing how to convert these and relate these values helps in designing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems efficiently.
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