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To convert from British thermal unit per second (Btu/s) to Milliwatt (mW), use the following formula:
With is the ratio between the base units Watt (W) and Foot-pound per second (ft-lb/s).
Let's convert 5 British thermal unit per second (Btu/s) to Milliwatt (mW).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 British thermal unit per second (Btu/s) is equal to Milliwatt (mW).
Here are some quick reference conversions from British thermal unit per second (Btu/s) to Milliwatt (mW):
| British thermal units per second | Milliwatts |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 Btu/s | mW |
| 0.001 Btu/s | mW |
| 0.1 Btu/s | mW |
| 1 Btu/s | mW |
| 2 Btu/s | mW |
| 3 Btu/s | mW |
| 4 Btu/s | mW |
| 5 Btu/s | mW |
| 6 Btu/s | mW |
| 7 Btu/s | mW |
| 8 Btu/s | mW |
| 9 Btu/s | mW |
| 10 Btu/s | mW |
| 20 Btu/s | mW |
| 30 Btu/s | mW |
| 40 Btu/s | mW |
| 50 Btu/s | mW |
| 100 Btu/s | mW |
| 1000 Btu/s | mW |
| 10000 Btu/s | mW |
The British thermal unit per second (Btu/s) is a unit used to measure power in the imperial system of measurement.
Think of it as a way to quantify how much heat energy is being transferred in a single second. For context, one Btu/s is equal to about 778.17 foot-pounds per second (ft-lb/s).
The plural form is "British thermal units per second."
A common question is how Btu/s relates to the watt, which is the standard (SI) unit of power. The conversion is straightforward and very useful for comparing equipment specifications.
This conversion is essential for anyone needing to compare the power of different systems, especially when analyzing energy use or heat output.
You'll most often see Btu/s used in high-power industrial and scientific settings to measure the rate of heat energy transfer.
It's a key measurement for specifying the performance of powerful equipment, such as:
While you might see Btu/h (Btu per hour) used for your home's HVAC system or water heater, Btu/s provides a much more detailed, second-by-second measurement needed for these high-capacity industrial applications.
In engineering, Btu/s is also directly related to horsepower (hp), another common imperial unit of power.
This connection is vital for understanding the thermal efficiency of engines—in other words, how well an engine converts heat into mechanical work.
The relationship is:
This allows engineers to compare the heat an engine produces (in Btu/s) to the mechanical power it puts out (in horsepower).
A milliwatt (mW) is a unit used to measure power.
It is equal to one-thousandth of a watt.
To put it simply, you need 1,000 milliwatts to equal one watt (1 W = 1,000 mW).
The milliwatt (mW) is the perfect unit for measuring the small amount of power used by many common electronic devices.
For example, the power of a Wi-Fi signal, the laser in a Blu-ray player, and the tiny LEDs on your electronics are all measured in milliwatts.
Using such small amounts of power is key to making the batteries last longer in your favorite gadgets, including wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and TV remotes.
While the most common conversion is between milliwatts and watts (1,000 mW = 1 W), some technical fields use a different unit.
In telecommunications and fiber optics, power is often measured in dBm (decibels relative to one milliwatt). This scale makes it easier to work with a vast range of power levels.
For reference, 0 dBm is equal to exactly 1 mW.
When it comes to products with lasers, the milliwatt (mW) rating is a critical safety measure.
To prevent eye injuries, regulatory bodies like the FDA classify lasers based on their power output in milliwatts.
For example, handheld laser pointers sold to the public are legally required in most regions to have a power output of less than 5 mW.
This is a clear example of how milliwatt ratings are used to keep consumers safe.