Difference between horsepower and bhp

August 17, by carwow staff. But what is horsepower, exactly? What is horsepower? While hp does not take into account frictional losses in power from an engine, brake horsepower does — meaning hp is always higher than bhp.

Although the automotive industry has progressed quite a bit, certain things remain unchanged. Just as important, if not more, than the list of features and amenities. However, there is a sense of ambiguity when discussing output. Is it engine horsepower hp or brake horsepower bhp? What about wheel horsepower WHP? What's the difference between horsepower and torque? Are they all the same?

Difference between horsepower and bhp

What is bhp, and how does it differ from hp? Horsepower and brake horsepower are both intended to measure the power of an engine. However, the way in which the figures are calculated is different, and this results in differing numbers. An engine is measured for horsepower with some pieces of the system missing, while brake horsepower is measured with every component in place. As a result, brake horsepower measurements include more frictional losses, which results in a lower figure. Bhp appears to be the figure usually calculated and used in Europe, while hp is used in the United States. Horsepower is measured using a tool called a simple dynamometer, while bhp uses a brake type dynamometer. From this data, horsepower can be calculated. One horsepower equals 33, foot-pounds of work per minute. Other sources give alternative definitions, with some stating that hp has losses subtracted from it and is typically less than bhp. One source cites horsepower as the output of a mechanical or electrical system, while the brake horsepower is the output of only the engine the exact opposite of what we state above.

The Rimac Nevera electric hypercar produces 1,hp, making it the most powerful car in the world.

HP vs BHP. You are bound to have stumbled upon the term Horsepower, whether you own a vehicle or not. The difference between the two is what we will now uncover. Invented by James Watt, horsepower originally measured the amount of work , that a horse lifting coal out of a coal mine, could do in a minute. Back then, one HP equated to 33, foot-pounds. What HP actually measures, is the maximum rate of acceleration and the top speed of the car. On the other hand, Brake Horsepower measures the HP of an engine without considering the loss in power that is caused by some parts of the engine, like the generator, gearbox, water pump and other auxiliary parts.

Although the automotive industry has progressed quite a bit, certain things remain unchanged. Just as important, if not more, than the list of features and amenities. However, there is a sense of ambiguity when discussing output. Is it engine horsepower hp or brake horsepower bhp? What about wheel horsepower WHP? What's the difference between horsepower and torque? Are they all the same? Mind you, these people are not just your average Joe or Joanne but sometimes include actual car folks.

Difference between horsepower and bhp

To ensure we are all on the same page, power is a measurement of work divided by time, with work being defined as force multiplied by distance. These equations are where the first definitions of horsepower came from. As the legend goes, a Scottish engineer by the name of James Watts measured the the pulling power of horses up a mine shaft. He found that one horsepower equated to roughly 33, foot-pounds per minute of work and consequently, the definition of one horsepower came into being. The metric equivalent of a single horsepower, referred to as 1 PS, equals 4, kilogram-metres per minute, which rounds to 32, foot-pounds per minute, or 0. The horsepower rating of an engine is usually measured on a dynamometer, which is a form of mechanical brake used to apply variable loads to a running engine so that torque and power may be calculated at different engine revs — hence brake horsepower which is always quoted at a given RPM. UK laws explained. Only engineers tend to talk about indicated horsepower, and then just amongst themselves. However, it is worth noting, that depending on who you speak to, wheel horsepower and BHP are often used interchangeably — again adding to the confusion.

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OK, so some of you are ignoring my earlier suggestion to have a look at Wikipedia. Cite APA 7 ,. If you travel a lot on the motorway, you are likely to want a more powerful engine, as you will want to be able to accelerate quickly along slip roads while joining the road, and accelerating at speed IE when overtaking is also much easier if you have a powerful engine. An HP is the rating of the motor initial input power needed to run the machine while BHP is the pure and actual mechanical output power without losses. Think of a spanner on a nut: a short spanner will not be able to exert very much torque, whereas a long spanner will deploy much more; how hard you turn the spanner is the equivalent to horsepower: turn it hard and you will be deploying a lot of power; give it a little tap and you will not be exerting very much. Interestingly, this also had the side effect of encouraging manufacturers to build small-bore, long-stroke engines for a given capacity, to minimise the duty rate attracted. Horsepower hp is more commonly used in the United States, whereas bhp is favored across Europe and the UK. Then carwow is the place to go. But there is another unpopular term as BHP Brake horsepower. The Rimac Nevera electric hypercar produces 1,hp, making it the most powerful car in the world. This means they are directional, and that must be factored in.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. In this guide comparing BHP vs HP we will explore the distinctions between these two power measurements and their significance in the realm of electric vehicles.

Eric Von Schledorn. In essence, torque is the turning force and engine can exert, while power is how hard an engine can work. Other sources give alternative definitions, with some stating that hp has losses subtracted from it and is typically less than bhp. HP is a crappy term and should stop being used altogether unless of course you are trying to keep someone in the dark and you have something to hide. It is the power at the flywheel which is normally quoted by vehicle manufacturers. Horsepower is measured using a tool called a simple dynamometer, while bhp uses a brake type dynamometer. The engine dynamometer typically measures power delivery at the flywheel and, after correction for STP standard temperature and pressure , would then be quoted as engine bhp. The problem here is that, as some above have said, the term horsepower has been abused. More to come on this one. Change your car the easy way. Except for electrical machines such as motors , you may frequently hear the word horsepower HP if you are a car enthusiast, related to engines or general vehicles and mostly from the mechanics in the machine shops.