Measurement in Metric
Power
Essentially, the 'traditional' or SAE mechanical horse power HP is close enough to the metric horse power to be treated as the same, although they are not exactly equivalent, there being a difference of 10 watts. The French CV (literally, chevaux - horses) is the same as the metric horse power.
In approximate terms, 1hp = 1cv = 0.7kw
The watt/kilowatt is the recognised EU/SI unit of measurement.
Distance and Speed
1 in (inch) = 2.54 cm (centimetres) = 25.4 mm (millimetres)
1 ft (foot) = 0.3048 m (metre) = 30.48 cm (centimetres) = 304.8 mm (millimetres)
1 yd (yard) = 0.9144 m (metre)
1 mi (mile) = 1.609 km (kilometre)
1 NM (nautical mile) = 1.852 km (kilometre)
1 kn (knot) (noued in French) = 1.852 km/h
Speed limits are often (not always) 6 km/h (3 kn) on canals and 10 km/h (5 kn) on rivers.
And please, 3 km/h (1.5 kn) past moored boats.
Volume and Weight
1 gal (gallon) = 4.55 l (litres)
1 pint = 0.6 l (litre) = 600 ml (milliltres) = 60 cl (centilitres)
1 lb (pound) = 0.45 kg (kilogram) = 454 g (grams) [ a 'metric pound' = 500 g ]
Grehan welcomes your comments, corrections, suggestions and additions. Contact Grehan
