What is CV in Horsepower and How Does It Work?
When it comes to cars, horsepower is a term that most people are familiar with. But have you ever come across the term CV and wondered what it means? In this article, we will explain what CV in horsepower is and how it works.
What is Horsepower?
Horsepower is a unit of power used to describe the amount of work an engine can do in a certain amount of time. It was originally created by James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine, to compare the power of his new engine with that of horses. One horsepower is equivalent to the power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second.
What is CV in Horsepower?
CV stands for “chevaux vapeur” which is French for “horsepower”. It is a unit of power used in Europe to describe the output power of an engine in a way that is similar to horsepower. 1 CV is equivalent to 0.985 horsepower or 735.5 watts.
How Does CV in Horsepower Work?
When an engine is running, it converts fuel into energy which is used to power the vehicle. The power output of the engine is measured in horsepower or CV. This measurement is taken by using a dynamometer, which is a device that measures the torque and rotational speed of the engine. By measuring these two values, the power output of the engine can be calculated using the following formula:
Power (in horsepower or CV) = Torque x RPM / 5252
Where torque is measured in pound-feet and RPM is rotational speed in revolutions per minute.
Why is CV Used in Europe?
CV is used in Europe instead of horsepower because it is a simpler unit of measurement. In Europe, there are many different types of cars with different engine sizes and power outputs. Using CV allows for a standardized measure of engine power that is easier to understand and compare.
How Does CV Compare to Horsepower?
CV and horsepower are very similar units of measurement, but they are not exactly the same. 1 horsepower is equivalent to 1.014 CV, so if you have a car with an engine that produces 100 horsepower, it would produce 98.6 CV. In practical terms, there is little difference between the two units and they can be used interchangeably.
Conclusion
CV in horsepower is a unit of power used in Europe to describe the output power of an engine in a way that is similar to horsepower. Although it is a slightly different unit of measurement, it is interchangeable with horsepower and is used to provide a standardized measure of engine power in Europe.