Systems of electrical units

Abstract

The various systems of measurement, with their respective sets of units, used in the literature on electricity and magnetism are described in detail. Their historical development is summarized. The manner in which each is derived from either of the two alternative points of view of the experimentalist and theoretician is compared and contrasted. The desirability of recognizing both points of view in international standardization, particularly when discussing rationalization, is pointed out. The present status of the absolute measurements on which all electrical units are based is reported, and tables are included for the conversion of equations and numerical values from one system to another.