Free Online kilowatt Converter
kilowatt
Definition: A kilowatt (symbol: kw) is a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI). The base unit of the kilowatt is the watt, which was named after Scottish inventor James Watt. As is consistent with SI units, the prefix kilo- means that a kilowatt equals one thousand watts or one thousand joules per second.
History/origin: The base unit of the kilowatt is the watt, which was named after a Scottish inventor named James Watt. This was first proposed in 1882 by Sir Charles William Siemens, an engineer and entrepreneur, who suggested the use of Watt's name as a unit of power. He defined the unit within the system of units being used at the time, and his definition was adopted in 1908.
Current use: Kilowatts are used worldwide, typically to express the output power of engines and the power of electric motors, tools, machines, and heaters. Electricity used by a home is typically measured in kilowatt hours, or kWh, meaning 1000 watts being applied over a period of one hour. Megawatt or gigawatt hours may be used in larger buildings or for industrial applications.
