1. What is Brake Horsepower?

Brake Horsepower (BHP) is the actual horsepower delivered to the pump shaft, representing the power required to drive the pump. It accounts for the pump's efficiency and is a crucial parameter in pump selection and system design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Brake Horsepower formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (gallons per minute, gpm)
• \( P \) — Pressure (pounds per square inch, psi)
• 1714 — Conversion constant

Explanation: The formula calculates the power required to drive a pump based on the flow rate and pressure it produces.

3. Importance of BHP Calculation

Details: Accurate BHP calculation is essential for proper pump selection, motor sizing, energy consumption estimation, and ensuring efficient pump operation within its designed parameters.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter flow rate in gpm and pressure in psi. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the brake horsepower required.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between BHP and hydraulic horsepower?
A: Hydraulic horsepower represents the power contained in the fluid, while BHP represents the actual power input to the pump shaft, accounting for pump efficiency.

Q2: Why is the constant 1714 used in the formula?
A: The constant 1714 comes from the conversion factors between gpm, psi, and horsepower (1 HP = 1714 gpm·psi).

Q3: Does this formula account for pump efficiency?
A: This basic formula gives theoretical horsepower. For actual BHP, the result should be divided by the pump's efficiency (typically 0.6-0.9).

Q4: What are typical BHP values for industrial pumps?
A: BHP values can range from fractional horsepower for small pumps to thousands of horsepower for large industrial pumps.

Q5: When should I use this calculation?
A: Use this calculation during pump selection, system design, energy audits, and when troubleshooting pump performance issues.