Puissance au frein

Puissance au frein

Glossary Right Side Image
diagram showing the role of brake horsepower
Abbreviation / Acronym
PAF
Classification

What is brake horsepower?

Brake horsepower is a measurement of a motor’s power at the shaft before losing power due to resistance of auxiliary components (reducers, couplings, pump). Essentially, the brake horsepower of a motor (bhp) will always be higher than the listed horsepower (hp).

Why is it called “brake” horsepower?

When motors are tested, they are run at a specified RPM and brakes are applied to the shaft to measure the torque output. Power is the product of torque an RPM. Since brakes are applied in the test, that’s where the term “brake” horsepower comes from.

Power = Torque x RPM