Convert Poncelet to Ton of Refrigeration

Convert Poncelet (p) to Ton of Refrigeration (RT) instantly and accurately.

Conversion Formula

RT = p × 0.2788473229

About Poncelet

The poncelet is a rare historical unit equal to 100 kgf·m/s = exactly 980.665 W. Proposed by French engineer Jean-Victor Poncelet (1788-1867) as a metric alternative to the horsepower for French engineering practice - the power to lift 100 kg at 1 m/s against gravity. Used in 19th-century French industrial and military engineering (waterwheels, steam engines, horse-operated machinery) before the watt replaced it. At 980.665 W, it sits between the metric horsepower (735.5 W) and the kilowatt (1,000 W). 1 poncelet = 980.665 W.

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.

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