Kilowatt to Metric Horsepower Converter

A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power equal to one thousand watts (10³ W). It's one of the most commonly used power units, representing the power consumption of household appliances and small to medium electrical equipment.

The kilowatt became widely recognized with the expansion of electrical power to homes and businesses in the early 20th century. It provided a practical scale for household electricity consumption and became the standard unit for electrical billing and appliance ratings.

Kilowatts are universally used for household appliance ratings, small motor specifications, residential solar installations, and electricity billing. They're standard for home electrical consumption, appliance energy labels, and small-scale power systems.

Metric horsepower (PS) is a unit of power equal to 75 kilogram-force meters per second, approximately 735.5 watts. It's the metric equivalent of horsepower, used primarily in European automotive and mechanical applications.

Metric horsepower was developed as a metric alternative to the imperial horsepower unit. It became standard in European automotive and mechanical industries, providing a power unit consistent with metric measurements while maintaining familiarity with the horsepower concept.

Metric horsepower is used in European automotive specifications, mechanical equipment ratings, and industrial machinery. It's standard for European car engine ratings, machinery specifications, and mechanical power systems in metric countries.