Correct abbreviations for electrical units.

But they are inconsistent! The thermodynamic temperature is Kelvin (K) but the Celsius temperature is degrees Celsius? If you think that is right you will believe anything! I think that I defined it in the proper scientific manner. You need to give the reason you think this inconsistency is correct because I was taught exactly as I said by a relatively important Electrical Engineer. Looking at a few of the Physics textbooks I have, the problem seems to have occurred when °C was changed to Celsius. The textbooks are happy that the symbol K and word Kelvin temperature measured using the centigrade scale from absolute zero. The same does not happen with Celsius, which is a temperature measured from the ice point in centigrade degrees. Very odd, however, the error is repeated throughout many GCSE and A level textbooks, but most of my University level ones ignore the subject completely. As most can understand what is meant by either designation of temperature it probably doesn't matter too much.


You will notice that all this is somewhat similar to BS7671, a committee comes to some definition by agreement, and after discussion, a vote may be taken. It is usually quite difficult to overturn a majority, so the consensus, right or wrong, tends to end up in the resulting document, book, or whatever! The arguments can go on for a long time, several of the committee having strong views, but the Chairman has to get a result, hence the vote. It happens a lot.

But they are inconsistent! The thermodynamic temperature is Kelvin (K) but the Celsius temperature is degrees Celsius? If you think that is right you will believe anything! I think that I defined it in the proper scientific manner. You need to give the reason you think this inconsistency is correct because I was taught exactly as I said by a relatively important Electrical Engineer. Looking at a few of the Physics textbooks I have, the problem seems to have occurred when °C was changed to Celsius. The textbooks are happy that the symbol K and word Kelvin temperature measured using the centigrade scale from absolute zero. The same does not happen with Celsius, which is a temperature measured from the ice point in centigrade degrees. Very odd, however, the error is repeated throughout many GCSE and A level textbooks, but most of my University level ones ignore the subject completely. As most can understand what is meant by either designation of temperature it probably doesn't matter too much.


You will notice that all this is somewhat similar to BS7671, a committee comes to some definition by agreement, and after discussion, a vote may be taken. It is usually quite difficult to overturn a majority, so the consensus, right or wrong, tends to end up in the resulting document, book, or whatever! The arguments can go on for a long time, several of the committee having strong views, but the Chairman has to get a result, hence the vote. It happens a lot.