Convert Ton of Refrigeration to Foot-Pounds per Minute
Convert Ton of Refrigeration (RT) to Foot-Pounds per Minute (ft⋅lbf/min) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
ft⋅lbf/min = RT × 155633.8525
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.
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.
Quick Reference Table
| Ton of Refrigeration (RT) | Foot-Pounds per Minute (ft⋅lbf/min) |
|---|---|
| 1 RT | 155634 ft⋅lbf/min |
| 2 RT | 311268 ft⋅lbf/min |
| 5 RT | 778169 ft⋅lbf/min |
| 10 RT | 1556340 ft⋅lbf/min |
| 25 RT | 3890850 ft⋅lbf/min |
| 50 RT | 7781690 ft⋅lbf/min |
| 100 RT | 15563400 ft⋅lbf/min |