What Is This Tool?
This converter tool enables users to change power values from calorie (th)/second, a unit often used in thermal and calorimetry contexts, to centiwatt [cW], which is better suited for describing very low-power systems like electronics and sensors.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the power value in calorie (th)/second you wish to convert
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Select calorie (th)/second as the input unit and centiwatt [cW] as the output unit
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent value in centiwatt [cW]
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Use the converted result to apply in your specific power measurement context
Key Features
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Converts thermal power from calorie (th)/second to centiwatt [cW]
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Based on the fixed conversion rate where 1 calorie (th)/second equals 418.4 centiwatt [cW]
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Supports applications in laboratory calorimetry, HVAC, and electronics
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Helps integrate legacy thermal energy data with modern low-power metrics
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Easy-to-use interface suitable for quick and accurate power unit conversions
Examples
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Convert 2 cal(th)/s to centiwatt [cW]: 2 × 418.4 = 836.8 cW
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Convert 0.5 cal(th)/s to centiwatt [cW]: 0.5 × 418.4 = 209.2 cW
Common Use Cases
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Reporting heat flow in laboratory calorimetry experiments
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Specifying power of small heating elements in legacy engineering literature
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Converting legacy thermal power measurements to SI units for HVAC and process engineering
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Rating power consumption of ultra-low-power electronics and sensor nodes
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Describing output from micro-energy harvesters and tiny photovoltaic cells used in sensors
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure consistent use of the thermochemical calorie definition (exactly 4.184 joules)
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Use centiwatt [cW] for low-power applications to maintain meaningful measurement scales
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Interpret legacy calorie (th)/second data carefully as it is less common in modern SI usage
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Verify conversions especially when integrating thermal power data with electrical power metrics
Limitations
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Calorie (th)/second is a less common unit in modern SI systems, so conversions may require careful context
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Centiwatt is best suited for very low power ranges and may not be practical for higher power values without scaling
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Conversion depends on the exact definition of the thermochemical calorie for accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does one calorie (th)/second represent in watts?
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One calorie (th)/second equals exactly 4.184 watts, representing the energy transfer of one thermochemical calorie per second.
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Why use centiwatt for power measurement?
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Centiwatt is ideal for quantifying very low power levels typical in ultra-low-power electronics, sensors, and small indicator devices.
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Can this conversion help with legacy thermal data?
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Yes, converting from calorie (th)/second to centiwatt helps adapt older thermal power measurements into units compatible with modern electronic power ratings.
Key Terminology
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Calorie (th)/second
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A power unit representing energy transfer of one thermochemical calorie per second; exactly 4.184 watts.
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Centiwatt [cW]
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A small power unit equal to one hundredth of a watt, commonly used for very low power devices and sensors.
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Thermochemical calorie
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A calorie defined as exactly 4.184 joules, used to measure thermal energy in calorie (th)/second.