Conversion Formula:
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The conversion from tons of refrigeration (TR) to kilowatts (kW) is essential in HVAC and refrigeration engineering. One ton of refrigeration equals 3.517 kilowatts, representing the cooling capacity conversion between these two common units of measurement.
The calculator uses the conversion formula:
Where:
Explanation: This conversion allows engineers and technicians to translate cooling capacity between the traditional ton unit and the SI unit of kilowatts.
Details: Accurate conversion between TR and kW is crucial for system design, equipment selection, energy consumption calculations, and international project coordination where different measurement systems are used.
Tips: Enter the tons of refrigeration value (must be greater than 0). The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent kilowatt value using the standard conversion factor of 3.517.
Q1: What exactly is one ton of refrigeration?
A: One ton of refrigeration represents the cooling capacity needed to melt one ton (2000 pounds) of ice in 24 hours, equivalent to 12,000 BTU/hour.
Q2: Why is the conversion factor 3.517?
A: The factor 3.517 comes from converting 12,000 BTU/hour (1 TR) to kilowatts, where 1 kW = 3,412 BTU/hour, so 12,000 ÷ 3,412 ≈ 3.517.
Q3: Is this conversion used worldwide?
A: While tons of refrigeration is commonly used in North America, kilowatts are the standard SI unit used internationally. This conversion facilitates global communication and standardization.
Q4: What are typical TR values for common applications?
A: Residential air conditioners: 1-5 TR, small commercial systems: 5-20 TR, large commercial buildings: 50-500+ TR, industrial refrigeration: can exceed 1000 TR.
Q5: Are there any variations in this conversion factor?
A: The factor 3.517 is standard, though some older references may use slightly different values. Modern engineering standards consistently use 3.517 kW per TR.