RCDD · Question #141
The formula for calculating BTUs from electrical power is:
The correct answer is D. W x 3.413. To convert electrical power in watts to BTUs per hour, multiply watts by 3.413, the standard thermal equivalence factor between the two units.
Question
The formula for calculating BTUs from electrical power is:
Options
- AW x 0.707
- BW x 1.732
- CW x 3.1416
- DW x 3.413
How the community answered
(31 responses)- A3% (1)
- B10% (3)
- C6% (2)
- D81% (25)
Why each option
To convert electrical power in watts to BTUs per hour, multiply watts by 3.413, the standard thermal equivalence factor between the two units.
W x 0.707 is the RMS multiplier used to convert peak AC voltage or current to an effective (RMS) value, not a BTU conversion factor.
W x 1.732 represents the square root of 3, a factor used in three-phase power calculations to relate line voltage to phase voltage, unrelated to BTU conversion.
W x 3.1416 uses the mathematical constant pi, which appears in frequency, impedance, and circular geometry formulas but plays no role in watts-to-BTU conversion.
One watt is thermally equivalent to approximately 3.413 BTU per hour, making W x 3.413 the accepted formula for calculating heat dissipation from electrical equipment. This conversion is fundamental in data center and facilities planning for properly sizing HVAC systems relative to electrical load.
Concept tested: Watts to BTU per hour thermal conversion formula
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