You may not realize it, but virtually all the reinforcing bar currently produced in the United States is a “soft metric” bar. This not-so-well-known fact conjures up several important questions: Is there a difference in size between a soft metric rebar and an inch-pound rebar? What about the design strengths of reinforcing steel with soft metric and inch-pound units of measure? More importantly, do your employees understand that there is no physical difference between a #3 inch-pound rebar and a #10 soft metric rebar?

The electrical conduit is a vital part of any wiring effort. To get it right, you need to understand metric electrical conduit size options. Electrical conduit refers to the tubing that contains electrical cable and wiring. Conduit serves a variety of purpose. It keeps the electrical cable contained and orderly. It protects the cables and provides fire protection where the cables pass through walls.

Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have released new research results that could affect how we measure a kilogram — the last SI unit based on a manufactured object. The International System of Units (SI) is the foundation for all our measurements from the beer in your pint to the gap between the tick and the tock on your clock.

SI units are defined by the General Conference on Weights and Measures. The next meeting of the conference, in November 2007, will consider a range of issues related to the maintenance of the SI, including an initial proposal to prepare for the redefinition of several of the base units.