What is Horsepower ?

What is Horsepower ?

Horsepower (HP) is a unit of power used in reference to the output power of engines or motors, as well as the power consumption of electrical devices. It represents the amount of power required to lift 550 pounds (250 kilograms) by one foot (30 centimeters) in one second, and it was named after James Watt's observation of a draft horse that would lift 550 pounds at a rate of 1 foot per second. In simpler terms, horsepower measures how much work an engine or motor can do in a given amount of time.