Difference Between BHP and PS

Differences Power Systems Autotransformer

BHP and PS are power units used to measure the output of an engine or motor. PS stands for Pferdestärke, which is German for "horsepower." BHP stands for brake horsepower.

The units of measurement are another difference between BHP and PS. PS is measured in metric horsepower (PS or Pferdestärke), whereas BHP is measured in horsepower (hp).

Read this article to find out more about BHP and PS and how they are different from each other.

What is BHP?

Brake horsepower (BHP) is a common measure of an engine's power output in the automotive industry. BHP is the amount of power generated by an engine at the crankshaft when it is operating at full capacity, considering no extra losses in the engine.

BHP considers internal losses that occur within the engine, such as friction between moving components and energy lost to heat. It measures the amount of power that an engine can deliver to a load without considering any extra losses that occur in the transmission or drivetrain.

BHP is calculated using the formula −

$\mathrm{BHP=\frac{Torque\:x\:RPM}{5252}}$

Where torque is the engine's rotational power and RPM is the engine speed in revolutions per minute. The formula considers that power is equivalent to torque multiplied by RPM and converts the result to horsepower.

BHP is a popular specification used by car enthusiasts to compare various models, and it is frequently used by car manufacturers to advertise the power output of their engines. Higher BHP ratings typically suggest a more powerful engine capable of producing greater acceleration and higher top speeds.

What is PS?

PS is an abbreviation for pferdestärke, which is a German word for horsepower. PS is a power unit used to measure engine output power. It is similar to brake horsepower (BHP) in that it measures power output at the engine's output shaft.

PS was invented at the beginning of the 20th century by Gottlieb Daimler, a German engineer who also founded the Mercedes-Benz company. Pferdestärke literally translates to "horse strength," and it is based on the concept that one PS equals the power output of a single horse.

PS is calculated in the same way as BHP, with the primary difference being the conversion factor. One PS is equivalent to approximately 0.7355 kW, while one kW is equivalent to approximately 1.3596 PS. This means PS is a slightly smaller power unit than BHP, with one PS equaling approximately 0.98632 BHP.

PS is calculated using the formula −

$\mathrm{PS=\frac{Torque\:x\:RPM}{71.36}}$

Difference between BHP and PS

The following table highlights the major differences between BHP and PS −

Characteristics	BHP	PS
Definition	Brake horsepower (BHP) is a common measure of an engine's power output in the automotive industry.	PS is a power unit used to measure engine output power.
Calculation	$\mathrm{BHP=\frac{TorqueXRPM}{5252}}$	$\mathrm{PS=\frac{TorqueXRPM}{71.36}}$
Conversion	1 BHP = 0.98632 PS	1 PS = 0.7355 BHP
Usage	It is popular in the United Kingdom and the United States.	It is used in Europe.
Size	BHP are larger	PS is smaller compared to BHP.
Accuracy	takes into account internal losses	takes into account internal losses
Developed	It was developed in the 19th century.	It was developed in the early 20th century.
Invented by	BHP was invented by James Watt.	PS invented by Gottlieb Daimler

Conclusion

In conclusion, BHP and PS are both power units that are widely used in the automotive industry to measure engine output. BHP is a power measurement calculated at the engine's crankshaft, whereas PS is a power unit widely used in Europe that is slightly less than one horsepower.

BHP is commonly used in the United States, whereas PS is mainly used in Europe. It is important to understand the differences between these two power units in order to accurately compare the performance of various engines and vehicles.

Md. Sajid

Updated on: 14-Apr-2023

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