Hectowatt to Horsepower Converter

A hectowatt (hW) is a unit of power equal to one hundred watts (10² W). It represents moderate power levels found in small appliances, lighting systems, and medium-scale electrical equipment.

The hectowatt developed as part of the metric system's decimal structure, providing an intermediate unit between kilowatts and watts. It became useful for describing power consumption of small appliances and lighting systems where watts would be large numbers.

Hectowatts are used for small appliance ratings, lighting system specifications, and medium-scale electrical equipment. They're found in specifications for small motors, lighting installations, and electrical systems requiring moderate power levels.

Horsepower (hp) is a unit of power originally defined as the power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second, approximately equal to 746 watts. It was created to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses.

Horsepower was defined by James Watt around 1782 to market his steam engines by comparing their output to the familiar power of horses. It became the standard unit for mechanical power in English-speaking countries and remains widely used despite the adoption of SI units.

Horsepower is extensively used in automotive engines, mechanical equipment, and motor specifications. It's standard for car engine ratings, industrial machinery, pumps, and mechanical power transmission systems, particularly in the United States.