Convert Foot-Pounds per Minute to Ton of Refrigeration
Convert Foot-Pounds per Minute (ft⋅lbf/min) to Ton of Refrigeration (RT) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
RT = ft⋅lbf/min × 6.425337317e-6
About Foot-Pounds per Minute
One foot-pound per minute (ft·lbf/min) ≈ 0.02260 W. Its historical importance is large: James Watt rated mill horses at ~33,000 ft·lbf/min sustained output and defined 1 mechanical horsepower as exactly 33,000 ft·lbf/min (= 550 ft·lbf/s). The unit is still used for machine-tool power, hydraulic pump output, and low-speed actuator performance in US customary calculations: torque (ft·lbf) × RPM = power in ft·lbf/min. 1 hp = 33,000 ft·lbf/min.
About Ton of Refrigeration
One ton of refrigeration (RT) = 12,000 BTU/h ≈ 3,517 W - the cooling rate to freeze 1 short ton (2,000 lb) of water in 24 hours. This follows from water's latent heat: 144 BTU/lb × 2,000 lb ÷ 24 h = 12,000 BTU/h. US residential AC is 1.5-5 tons; a large commercial building 500-2,000 tons; a hyperscale data centre 50,000-100,000 tons. The RT is deeply embedded in North American HVAC catalogs, load calculation software, and contractor pricing. 1 RT = 3,516.85 W.
Quick Reference Table
| Foot-Pounds per Minute (ft⋅lbf/min) | Ton of Refrigeration (RT) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft⋅lbf/min | 6.425 × 10-6 RT |
| 2 ft⋅lbf/min | 1.285 × 10-5 RT |
| 5 ft⋅lbf/min | 3.213 × 10-5 RT |
| 10 ft⋅lbf/min | 6.425 × 10-5 RT |
| 25 ft⋅lbf/min | 0.000160633 RT |
| 50 ft⋅lbf/min | 0.000321267 RT |
| 100 ft⋅lbf/min | 0.000642534 RT |