Conversion factors for SI units
A number of electrical terms evolved from the CGS system may still be encountered as well as units in the FPS system and other special units. In general it is best to convert units to the SI system before inserting quantities into equations as this will avoid problems involving conversion factors in the equations themselves. The engineering units which may be encountered in other systems of units are listed in Tables 22.4 to 22.6 with the conversion factor to give SI units.
D2 Dc |
T |
Where = temperature rise t = time the current flows |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To obtain the quantity in SI units, the original units should be multiplied by the conversion factor, for example, to convert a length of 10 inch to metre units multiply by 0.025 4 giving 0.254 m. To convert from one non-SI unit to another non-SI unit, first convert to the SI unit by multiplying by the conversion factor and then convert to the other non-SI unit by dividing by the conversion factor for the other unit. If multiple units are involved, convert each separately by multiplying by the appropriate conversion factor for any units with positive powers and dividing by the appropriate conversion factors for any units with negative powers. For example, to convert lb/in3 (or lb in-3) to SI units multiple by 0.453 6 to convert lb to kg and divide by 0.025 43 to convert in-3 to nr3 giving 27 680 kg rrv3 (or 27680kg/m3).
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius or centigrade subtract 32 and then multiply by 5/9
To convert Fahrenheit to Rankine add 459.67
To convert Celsius and centigrade to Kelvin add 273.15
To convert Rankine to Kelvin multiply by 5/9
For temperature conversion to Kelvin (K) the following should be noted:
Absolute zero = 0 Kelvin
0 Rankine
-273.15 Celsius
-273.15 centigrade
-459.67 Fahrenheit
Ice point = 273.15 Kelvin
491.67 Rankine
0 Celsius
0 centigrade
32Fahrenheit
Quantity |
Unit |
.. .. Conversion factor |
SI unit |
Energy And Work |
British Thermal Unit (Btu) Btu (1ST) Btu (mean) Btu (39 F) Btu (60 F) calorie, gm (cal, gm) cal, gm (mean) cal, gm (15 C) cal, gm (20 C) calorie, kg (cal, kg) cal, kg (mean) centigrade heat unit (15°C) erg Foot-pound |
1.54 35 x 103 1.55 04 x 103 1.55 87 x 103 1.059 66 x 103 1.054 68 x 103 4.184 4.19 4.186 4.182 4.184 x103 4.19 x103 1.898 3x 103 1 x 10’7 1.355 82 |
J |
Force |
Dyne Kilogramme force poundal |
1 x 10-5 9.807 0.138 255 |
N |
Mass |
Hundredweight (long) hundredweight (short) ounce (troy) ounce (avdp) pounds (troy) pounds (avdp) slugs ton (long) ton (short) ton (metric) (tonne) |
50.802 3 45.359 2 0.031 103 0.028 35 0.373 241 0.453 592 14.593 9 1.106 046 x 103 9.071 847 x 102 1 x 103 |
Kg |
Power |
Cheval-vapeur horsepower horsepower (boiler) horsepower (metric) |
735.499 746 9.809 5 x 103 735.499 |
W |
Quantity |
Unit |
Conversion factor |
SI unit |
Atmosphere (atm) bar Inch of mercury (32°F) (in Hg) |
1.103 25 x 105 1 x 105 3.386 4 x 103 |
||
Pressure |
Inch of mercury (60°F) (in Hg) inch of water (4°C) (in H20) mm of mercury (0°C) torr |
3.376 1 x 103 0.248 7 133.313 133.313 |
Pa |
Velocity |
Knot |
0.514 4 |
M/s |
Viscosity |
Centipoise (cp) |
1 x 10-3 |
|
(dynamic) |
Poise (p) |
0.1 |
|
Viscosity |
Centistoke (cSt) |
1 x 10‘6 |
M2/s |
(kinematic) |
Stoke (St) |
1 x 104 |
Table 22.5 Conversion factors for quantities related to mechanics |
Quantity |
Unit |
Conversion factor |
SI unit |
Electric charge |
Faraday (chem) Faraday (phys) |
9.649 x 104 9.652 x 104 |
C |
Magnetic flux |
Line Maxwell |
1 x 10 s 1 x 10’8 |
Wb |
Magnetic flux density |
Gauss |
1 x 10" |
T |
Magnetizing force |
Oersted |
79.577 47 |
A-turns/m |
Magnetomotive force |
Gilbert |
0.795 77 |
A-turns |
Table 22.6 Conversion factors for quantities |
Detailed conversion information is now given for a number of different quantities.
Quantity designation:
SI unit: radian, rad.
Normal multiple units: mrad, rad.
Example: 2 rad = 2 x 57.2958 = 114.5916°
Rad |
… g gon, grade |
Degree |
Minute |
Second |
Angular Mil |
63.6620 |
57.2958 |
3.43775 x 103 |
0.206265 x 106 |
1.00268 x 103 |
|
15.7080 — 10’3 |
0.9 |
54 |
3.24 x 103 |
15.75 |
|
17.4533 ■ 10’3 |
1.11111 |
60 |
3.6 x 103 |
17.5 |
|
0.290888 — 10’3 |
18.5185 — 10’3 |
16.6667 ■ 10‘3 |
60 |
0.291667 |
|
4.84814 ■ 10’6 |
0.308642 ■ 10’3 |
0.277778 • 10’3 |
16.6667 10’3 |
4.86111 10’3 |
|
0.997331 IO’3 |
63.4921 — 10’3 |
57.1429 ■ 10-3 |
3.42857 |
205.714 |
1 |
Grade (g) (or gon), 1 g = 1 gon = /200 rad.
1°= /180 rad.
For some purposes, the angular mil is taken to be 10’3 rad. The figures shown here are based on the concept that an angular mil is equal to 360/6400 degrees.
NOTE: 1 grade (… g) = 1 /100 of a right angle
Quantity designation I. SI unit: metre (m).
Normal multiple units: km, cm, mm, . Example: 3 in = 3 * 25.4 * 10’3 = 76.2 x 10’3 m
Metre M |
Inch In |
Foot Ft |
Yard Yd |
Mile |
39.370 |
3.2808 |
1.0936 |
0.62137 ■ 10’3 |
|
25.4 ■ 10‘3 |
1 |
83.333 IO’3 |
27.778 103 |
15.783 • 10 6 |
0.3048 |
12 |
1 |
0.33333 |
0.18939 103 |
0.9144 |
36 |
3 |
0.56818 10’3 |
|
1.6093 103 |
63.36 103 |
5.28 ■ 103 |
1.76 ■ 103 |
1 |
1.852 103 |
72.913 — 103 |
6.0761 ■ 103 |
2.0254 ■ 103 |
1.1508 |
1 nautical mile = 6080 ft = 1853.184 m 1 A, 1 Angstrom = 10_1° m 1 astronomic unit = 0.1496 • 1012 m 1 light year = 9.4605 • 1015 m 1 parsec = 30.857 • 1012 m
Quantity designation: A.
SI unit: square metre (m2).
Normal multiple units: km2, dm2, cm2, mm2. Example: 4 ft2 = 4 -92.903 -10-3= 0.371612 m2
M2 |
In2 |
Ft2 |
Yd2 |
Acre |
Square mile mile2 |
1 |
1.5500 — 103 |
10.764 |
1.1960 |
0.24710 — 10’3 |
0.38610 ■ 10’6 |
0.64516 — 10’3 |
1 |
6.9444 • 10’3 |
0.77161 • 10*3 |
0.15942 • 10’6 |
0.24910 ■ 10"9 |
92.903 ■ 10-3 |
144 |
1 |
0.11111 |
22.957 ■ 10’6 |
35-870 ■ 10’9 |
0.83613 |
1.296 — 103 |
9 |
1 |
0.20661 — io-3 |
0.32283 ■ 10’6 |
4.0469 ■ IO3 |
6.2726 ■ 106 |
43.56 ■ 103 |
4.84 — 103 |
1.5625 ■ IO3 |
|
2.5900 ■ 106 |
4.0145 ■ 109 |
27.878 ■ 106 |
3.0976 ■ 106 |
640 |
1 |
1 acre = 100 m2
1 hectare = 100 acres = 10000 m2
Quantity designation: V.
SI unit: cubic metre (m3).
Normal multiple units: dm3, cm3, mm3.
Non SI unit: litre (I): 1 I = 0.001 m3 = 1 dm3.
Normal multiple units: cl, ml.
Example:
5 US gallon = 5 • 3.7854 • 10 3 = 18.927 • 10’3 m3 = 18.927 I
M3 |
In3 |
Ft3 |
Yd3 |
UK gallon |
US gallon |
1 |
61.024 ■ 103 |
35.315 |
1.3080 |
219.97 |
264.17 |
16.387 • io-6 |
0.57870 • IO’3 |
21.434 • IO6 |
3.6046 ■ IO’3 |
4.3290 • IO’3 |
M3 |
In3 |
Ft3 |
Yd3 |
UK gallon |
US gallon |
28.317 ■ 10 3 |
1.728 ■ 103 |
1 |
37.037 ■ 10’3 |
6.2288 |
7.4805 |
0.76456 |
46.656 • 103 |
27 |
1 |
168.18 |
201.97 |
4.5461 • 10 3 |
277.42 |
0.16054 |
5.9461 ■ io-3 |
1 |
1.2010 |
3.7854 • io-3 |
231 |
0.13368 |
4.9511 • IO’3 |
0.83268 |
1 |
Gross (register) tonnage used in shipping 1 ton = 100 ft3 = 2.83168 m3
1 UK fluid ounce, fl oz = 28.4131 cm3
1 US fluid ounce, fl oz = 29.5735 cm3
Quantity designation: t.
SI unit: second (s).
Normal multiple units: ms, s, ns.
Non SI units: day (d), hour (h), minute (min). Example: 100000 s = 100000/3600 = 27.778 h
S |
Min |
H |
D (day) |
Week |
16.6667 10 3 |
0.277778 ■ IO3 |
11.5741 ■io-6 |
1.65344 10-6 |
|
60 |
1 |
16.6667 ■ IO3 |
0.694444 ■ io-3 |
99.2063 10^ |
3.6 ■ 103 |
60 |
1 |
41.6667 ■ io-3 |
5.95238 ■ io-3 |
00 Oi A O |
1.44 — 103 |
24 |
1 |
0.142857 |
604.8 ■ 103 |
10.08 • 103 |
168 |
7 |
1 |
1 tropical year = 31556925.974 s = 365.24219878 d 1 sidereal year = 31558150 s 1 calendar year = 365 d = 8760 h
Quantity designation: v.
SI unit: metre per second (m/s).
Normal multiple units: km/h.
M/s |
Km/h |
Ft/s |
Mite/h |
1 |
3.6 |
3.2808 |
2.2369 |
0.27778 |
0.91134 |
0.62137 |
|
0.3048 |
1.0973 |
0.68182 |
|
0.44704 |
1.6093 |
1.4667 |
1 |
0.51444 |
1.852 |
1.6878 |
1.1508 |
1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.853 km/h
Quantity designation: a.
SI unit: metre per second squared (m/s2).
M/s2 |
Cm/s2 |
Ft/s2 |
In/s2 |
G |
100 |
3.2808 |
39.37 |
0.10197 |
|
10 x 10-3 |
1 |
32.808 — 10-3 |
393.7 10-3 |
1.0197 ■ IO 3 |
0.3048 |
30.48 |
12 |
31.081 IO’3 |
M/s2 |
Cm/s2 |
Ft/s2 |
In/s2 |
G |
25.4 x 10-3 |
2.54 |
83.33 ■ 10-3 |
2.59 ■ 10 3 |
|
9.80665 |
980.665 |
32.174 |
386.09 |
1 |
Quantity designation: .
SI unit: radian per second (rad/s).
The SI and Imperial units are identical.
Angular velocity is normally calculated from N revolutions/s by
2 N
Quantity designation: a.
SI unit: radian per second squared (rad/s2)
The SI and Imperial units are identical.
Quantity designation: m.
SI unit: kilogram (kg).
Normal multiple units: g, g, mg.
Non SI unit: tonne (t) = 1000 kg.
Kg |
Lb (pound) |
Oz (ounce) |
Hundred* weight cwt (UK) |
Ton (UK) |
1 |
2.2046 |
35.274 |
19.684 ■ 10 3 |
0.98421 ■ 10-3 |
0.45359 |
16 |
8.9286 • 10-3 |
0.44643 ■ 10’3 |
|
14.594 |
32.174 |
514.79 |
0.28727 ■ 10-3 |
14.363 10-3 |
28.350 x 10 3 |
62.5 x 10 3 |
0.55804 ■ 10-3 |
27.902 10’6 |
|
50.802 |
112 |
1.792 — 103 |
1 |
50 ■ 10-3 |
O 5 P |
2.24 ■ 103 |
35.84 — 10-3 |
20 |
1 |
Oz = ounce, also called ounce avoirdupois
1 ounce troy = 31.1035 ■ 10’3 kg
Cwt = hundredweight
USA cwt = 100 lb USA ton = 2000 lb
Also called specific weight.
Quantity designation: .
SI unit: kilogram per cubic metre (kg/m3) Non SI units: kg/dm3, g/cm3.
Kg/m3 |
G/cm3 |
Lb/in3 |
Lb/ft3 |
1 |
10 3 |
36.127 — 10-6 |
62.428 ■ 10-3 |
103 |
1 |
36.127 ■ 10’3 |
62.428 |
27.680 — 103 |
27.680 |
1 |
1.728 — 103 |
16.019 |
16.019 ■ 10"3 |
0.57870 ■ 10 3 |
1 |
The term specific gravity or relative density is also used and is the ratio of the mass of a given volume of substance to the mass of an equal volume of water at temperature of 4 °C and a pressure of 101 .325 kPa absolute. The density of water at 4 °C and 101.325 kPa absolute is 1000.02 kg/m3.
Quantity designation: F.
SI unit: newton (N).
Normal multiple units: MN, kN.
N |
Dyn |
Kiiogram-force, kgf kilopond, |
Pound>force Ibf |
0.1 106 |
0.10197 |
0.22481 |
|
10 ■ 10-6 |
1.0197 • 10-6 |
2.2841 • 10’6 |
|
9.8066 |
0.98066 106 |
2.2046 |
|
4.4482 |
0.44482 ■ 106 |
0.45359 |
1 |
Quantity designation: T.
SI unit: Newton metre (Nm). Normal multiple units: MNm, kNm.
Nm |
Kgf m |
Ibf x in |
Ibf x ft |
0.10197 |
8.8508 |
0.73756 |
|
9.8066 |
86.796 |
7.2330 |
|
0.11299 |
11.521 ■ 10-3 |
83.333 ■ 10-3 |
|
1.3558 |
0.13826 |
12 |
1 |
Torque, power and speed are related by the formula: P = 2 NT
Quantity designation: p, , .
SI unit: Pascal (Pa), 1 Pa = 1 N/m2.
Normal multiple units: GPa, MPa, kPa and for stress: MN/m2, N/m2, N/mm2.
Pa |
Bar |
Kgf/cm2 Technical Atmos |
Kgf/mm2 |
Torr (= mm Hg) |
Standard Atm |
Lbf/in2 (psi) |
1 |
10 ■ 10’6 |
10.197 ■ 10’6 |
0.10197 ■ 106 |
7.5006 ■ 10’3 |
9.8692 — 10-6 |
0.14504 • 10-3 |
100 ■ 103 |
1.0197 |
10.197 ■ 10’3 |
750.06 |
0.98692 |
14.504 |
|
98.066 ■ 103 |
0.98066 |
Ф O |
735.56 |
0.96784 |
14.223 |
|
9.8066 ■ 106 |
98.066 |
100 |
73.556 ■ 103 |
96.784 |
1.4223 — 103 |
|
133.32 |
1.3332 10-3 |
1.3595 — 10-3 |
13.595 ■ 10-6 |
1 |
1.3158 — 10-3 |
19.337 ■ 10-3 |
101.32 ■ 103 |
1.0132 |
1.0332 |
10.332 ■ 10-3 |
760 |
1 |
14.696 |
6.8948 103 |
68.948 • IQ’3 |
70.307 ■ IQ’3 |
0.70307 • IQ’3 |
51.715 |
68.046 ■ 10’3 |
1 |
The preferred pressure unit for fan applications is the “bar”.
1 mm H20 9.81 Pa
1 in H20 249.09 Pa
1 in Hg 3386.4 Pa
1 Ata = 1 technical atmosphere (absolute)
1 Atu = 1 technical atmosphere (gauge)
Energy |
![]() |
Quantity designation: .
SI unit: Pascal second Pa s. Normal multiple units mPa s (= cP).
N s/m2 |
N s/mm2 |
P (poise) |
CP m Pa s |
1 |
10-6 |
10 |
103 |
106 |
O O ! |
109 |
|
0.1 |
O : O |
100 |
|
10 3 |
10 9 |
O O |
1 |
Quantity designation: .
SI unit: square metres per second (m2/s).
Normal multiple units: mm2/s.
For conversion to other units of viscosity see nomogram below.
M2/s |
Mm2/s cSt |
St (Stoke) |
1 |
106 |
10 — 103 |
10 6 |
1 |
10 • 103 |
0.1 • 10’3 |
100 |
1 |
Kinematic SI unit Seconds Seconds Seconds
Viscosity Engler Kinematicftediwxxji Redwood2Sayb°lt Seconds Seconds
Centlstokes degrees viscosity (standard) Universal Ford cup DIN cup
CSt (mm2/s) *E m2/sec m ssu no. 4 no. 4
Quantity designations: E, W, Q, L, U depending upon the type of energy.
SI unit: Joule (J).
Normal multiple units: TJ, GJ, MJ, kJ, mJ.
Since 1 J = 1 Nm = 1 Ws then Nm and Ws can also be used for all types of energy. The unit Joule should, however, be used for expressing all types of energy.
1 erg = 0.1 x 10’6 J.
J Joule |
KWh Kilowatt Hour |
Kgf m kilogramforce metre |
Kcal Kilo- Calorie |
Ch h metric horsepower hour |
Ft. Ibf (foot pound- force) |
Btu (British Thermal Unit) |
1 |
0.27778 ■ 106 |
0.10197 |
0.23885 ■ IO’3 |
0.37767 — 10’6 |
0.73756 |
0.94782 10 3 |
3.6 106 |
0.36710 ■ 106 |
859.85 |
1.3596 |
2.6552 — 106 |
3.4121 ■ 103 |
|
9.8066 |
2.7241 ■ 10-6 |
2.3423 10’3 |
3.7037 • 10’6 |
7.2330 |
9.2949 • 10 3 |
|
4.1868 ■ 103 |
1.163 ■ 10-3 |
426.94 |
1 |
1.5812 ■ io-3 |
3.0880 ■ 103 |
3.9683 |
2.6478 ■ 106 |
0.73550 |
0.27 106 |
632.42 |
1 |
1.9529 ■ 106 |
2.5096 — 103 |
1.3558 |
0.37662 — 10-6 |
0.13826 |
0.32383 ■ 10’3 |
0.51206 • IO’6 |
1 |
1.2851 ■ 10 3 |
1.0551 • 103 |
0.29307 ■ 10 3 |
107.59 |
0.25200 |
0.39847 ■ IO’3 |
778.17 |
1 |
Quantity designation: P.
SI unit: Watt (W).
Normal multiple units: GW, MW, kW, mW, W.
W |
Kgf m/s |
Kcal/s |
Kcal/h |
Ch Metric Horse Power |
Hp Horse Power |
Ft Ibf/s |
Btu/h |
1 |
0.10197 |
0.23885 ■ 10-3 |
0.85985 |
1.3596 ■ 10 3 |
1.3410 — 10‘3 |
0.73756 |
3.4121 |
9.8066 |
2.3423 — 10 3 |
8.4322 |
13.333 ■ IO’3 |
13.151 • 10-3 |
7.2330 |
33.462 |
|
4.1868 • 103 |
426.94 |
CO © CO |
5.6925 |
5.6146 |
3.0880 • 103 |
14.286 • 103 |
|
1.163 |
0.11859 |
0.27778 ■ 10-3 |
1.5812 • IO’3 |
1.5596 ■ IO’3 |
0.85779 |
3.9683 |
|
735.50 |
75 |
0.17567 |
632.42 |
0.98632 |
542.48 |
2.5096 • 103 |
|
745.70 |
76.040 |
0.17811 |
641.19 |
1.0139 |
550 |
2.5444 • 103 |
|
1.3558 |
0.13826 |
0.32383 ■ IO’3 |
1.1658 |
1.8434 ■ IO’3 |
1.8182 — 10-3 |
4.6262 |
|
0.29307 |
29.885 • 10-3 |
69.999 ■ 10’6 |
0.25200 |
0.39847 ■ 10-3 |
0.39302 — 10-3 |
0.21616 |
1 |
Quantity designation: qv.
The above factors apply for values above 60cSt |
SI unit: cubic metre per second (m3/s). Non-SI units: I/s, ml/s, m3/h.
I gallon/ min Igpm |
US gallon/ min USgpm |
Barrel/ Day Bpd |
M3/s |
M3/h |
I/s |
L/min |
1 |
1.2009 |
41.175 |
75.768 • 10-6 |
272.76 ■ IO’3 |
75.768 — 10’3 |
4.5461 |
0.83268 |
34.286 |
63.09 ■ 10-6 |
227.12 ■ 10-3 |
63.09 ■ IO’3 |
3.7854 |
|
24.286 ■ 10"3 |
29.167 — IO 3 |
1 |
1.84 ■ io-6 |
6.6244 ■ IO3 |
1.84 ■ IO3 |
110.41 ■ IO’3 |
13.198 ■ 103 |
15.85 ■ 103 |
543.44 — 103 |
1 |
3600 |
1000 |
60000 |
3.6662 |
4.4029 |
150.95 |
277.78 ■ 106 |
277.78 — IO’3 |
16.667 |
|
13.198 |
15.85 |
543.44 |
1.0 ■ IO’3 |
3.6 |
60 |
|
219.97 ■ 10~3 |
264.17 — 10-3 |
9.0573 |
16.667 IO’6 |
60 ■ 10-3 |
16.667 — IO’3 |
1 |
1 barrel = 42 US gallon
Absolute temperature: Quantity designation: T. SI unit: Kelvin (K).
Temperature: Quantity designation: t. unit degree Celsius (Centigrade) (°C).
Kelvin*** Scale |
Celsius Scale |
Rankine Scale |
Fahrenheit** Scale |
Physical Relation Ship |
|
Relative Temperature Value |
0 К |
-273.15 °С |
0 °R |
— 459.67 °F |
Absolute Zero |
273.15 К |
0 °С |
491.67 °R |
32 °F |
Melting point of ice* |
|
273.16 К |
0.01 °С |
491.688 °R |
32.018 °F |
Triple point of water* |
|
373.15 К |
100 °С |
671.67 °R |
212 °F |
Boiling point of water* |
|
Relative Temperature Intervals (diffs) |
1 К 0.55556 К |
1 °С 0.55556 °С |
1.8 °R 1 °R |
1.8 °F 1 °F |
* For defined conditions
** Value in °C = -1 (value in °F -32) = (value in K -273.15)
5
*** Value in K = — x (value in °R)
Posted in Fans Ventilation A Practical Guide