What is BHP
1/4/20251 min read
BHP stands for Brake Horsepower, which is a unit of measurement used to quantify the power output of an engine before losses such as friction, heat, and other factors are taken into account. It's the engine's raw power, measured at the crankshaft or flywheel without considering the power consumed by auxiliary components like the alternator, water pump, or air conditioning system.
Key points about BHP:
Brake: The term "brake" refers to the method of measuring power using a brake dynamometer, a device that absorbs the engine's output and measures the force. This helps in determining how much power the engine generates.
Horsepower: One horsepower is equivalent to 745.7 watts, or about 746 watts in some systems. BHP is often used to describe an engine's performance, especially in vehicles like cars and motorcycles.
Measurement: BHP is typically measured at the engine's crankshaft, before losses due to friction in the transmission, drive shaft, and other components. It's a measure of the engine's potential power.
BHP vs. Other Power Measurements:
Brake Horsepower (BHP) vs Wheel Horsepower (WHP): WHP measures power at the wheels (after losses through the drivetrain), and is usually lower than BHP because of the friction and losses in the transmission and drivetrain components.
Mechanical Horsepower: This is the same as BHP, often used in industrial applications.
Metric Horsepower (PS): In Europe, PS (Pferdestärke, or "metric horsepower") is commonly used. It is very close to BHP but slightly higher (1 PS = 0.9863 BHP).
Why BHP is Important:
Performance: It is often used to describe the power of engines, especially in automotive contexts. Higher BHP generally indicates a more powerful engine.
Comparing Engines: BHP can be used to compare the engine performance of different vehicles, allowing buyers or enthusiasts to understand the potential of an engine.
To summarize, BHP is a measure of an engine's raw power output, which is an important specification for understanding how much energy an engine can produce under ideal conditions.
