We are redrafting the figures for the next edition of H&H AoE, and
we're thinking about changing the notation for component values (to
the European scheme) in some of them. For example, we would write 4k7
instead of 4.7k, for a resistor; or 100n instead of 0.1uF, for a
capacitor. We're planning on sticking with the US symbols, however,
eg a zigzag (not a box) for a resistor.
Advantages: less chance of error, avoids tiny decimal points (by
eliminating them altogether), familiarizes readers with both schemes.
Disadvantages: things like 100n look weird to us, we are used to 0.1
or 0.1uF, etc., and 0u1 looks ever weirder!
Questions: What do y'all think of this idea? If we do it, should we
just pick some subset of the figures to change, or maybe just a whole
chapter, or what?
PS: don't hold your breath, on the new editon!
Please, please don't do it! Why should electrical engineering not use
proper
scientific notation like all other engineering and scientific
disciplines do? Not even plumbers record measurements this way! Why
would we want to look like a bunch of uneducated freaks?
This is a silly european audio hobbyist thing. What's wrong with
decimal points? All the scientific journals seem to be able to print
them just fine. I don't see 22kg4 anywhere in The review of Scientific
Instruments. I work with scientists a lot, and they would think I'm
nuts if I had to explain this notation to them.
And besides, any time you see 4 7M it should be a clue to put on
your reading glasses.
But personally, I don't mind things like nanofarads; they're handy,
formally correct, and not hard to get used to. We use 2.7nF instead of
0.0027uF. But please, let's use proper scientific notation! If you
don't want to use the ohms or farads symbols, add a note somewhere
"all resistances in Ohms; all inductances in Farads" etc. That's
usually understood either way.
You might mention the notation somewhere, just to help people who come
across it reading Glass Audio or something.
John