Engunits: a beginner’s guide

What are Engunits?

Engunits are a system of units used in engineering to measure physical quantities such as length, mass, time, temperature, and more. Unlike the metric system, which is based on multiples of 10, engunits are based on the foot-pound-second system. This system is commonly used in the United States and other countries that have not adopted the metric system as their primary unit of measurement.

Common Engunits

Some common engunits include feet for length, pounds for mass, seconds for time, and degrees Fahrenheit for temperature. These units are often used in engineering fields such as mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering. While the metric system is more widely used around the world, engunits are still prevalent in many industries and applications.

Converting Engunits

Converting between engunits can be a bit more complex than converting between metric units due to the different base units. For example, to convert feet to meters, you would need to use a conversion factor of 1 foot is equal to 0.3048 meters. Similarly, to convert pounds to kilograms, you would need to use a conversion factor of 1 pound is equal to 0.453592 kilograms.

Benefits of Engunits

While the metric system is more standardized and widely used, engunits still have their advantages in certain industries. For example, in the United States, engunits are often used in construction and manufacturing due to historical reasons and familiarity with the system. Additionally, some engineers find engunits easier to work with for certain calculations and applications.