Power
Convert between different units of power used in electricity, mechanics, heating, and scientific applications
Power Converter
Convert between different units of power used in electricity, mechanics, heating, and scientific applications
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About Power
Explore power units from electrical systems, mechanical engineering, heating and cooling, and theoretical physics
Historical Context
Power measurement has evolved alongside human technological development. Early industrial measurements like horsepower were created to compare steam engines to draft animals. The watt, named after Scottish inventor James Watt, became standardized in the late 19th century as electrical systems developed. Different industries developed their own specialized units - HVAC systems use refrigeration tons, while maritime and aviation sectors maintained horsepower variants.
Modern Standards
Today, the watt (W) is the SI unit for power, defined as one joule of energy per second. Electrical applications typically use watts and kilowatts, while mechanical systems often still use horsepower. HVAC and refrigeration industries use BTU/hour and refrigeration tons. Scientific fields use specialized units like decibel-milliwatts (dBm) for signal power in telecommunications, and theoretical physics employs units like the Planck power for quantum mechanics.
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Conversion Reference
Quick reference for common power conversions