[USMA:32906] RE: horsepower

[Bill Hooper]

Carleton reports (see quotes at end) a 6 HP vacuum cleaner that draws 8 to 9 amperes at US standard voltage (110 V to 120 V). It is agreed that 6 HP equals about 4.5 kW or 4500 W.

If the voltage is 120 V and the current is 9 A then, ignoring the power factor, the power would used would be only 1080 W or 1.08 kW, a far cry from the 4.5 kW that equals the 6 HP claimed. If the power factor (discussed elsewhere) is considered, the power is even less making the discrepancy even larger.

I agree with Carleton that the 6 HP claim appears to be impossibly high, unless there is something we're overlooking in this matter.

Regards,
Bill Hooper

Carleton wrote:

<x-tad-smaller>I’ve always thought it amusing how some appliance manufacturers have outlandish “horsepower” claims.</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller>
</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller>A shop vacuum I bought proclaimed “6 peak horsepower!” 

Carleton</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller>
</x-tad-smaller>

and later he added

Power draw on this vacuum is around 8-9 amperes at standard US/Canada household voltage.
 
Carleton