Create an engineering units dictionary

Create an engineering units dictionary to define custom engineering units. Use custom engineering units in analog variables and in the measurement systems map.
For example, express the number of pieces produced in 1 hour in beats per minute using custom units of measure.
  1. To create an engineering units dictionary
  2. In
    Project view
    , right-click the
    Model
     folder and select
    New
    All
    Engineering unit
    Engineering unit dictionary
    .
    TIP: You can create the
    Engineering unit dictionary
     in folders other than
    Model
    .
  3. Double-click
    EngineeringUnitDictionary
    #
    .
  4. To add a custom engineering unit row, select
    Add
    .
  5. To edit a custom engineering unit row, edit the row cells.
    TIP: The unit conversion uses the linear expression
    y = mx + q
    , where
    X
     is the input value,
    M
     is the slope, and
    Q
     is the intercept that calculates the
    Y
     output result.
    • Physical dimension
      . The reference quantity for the non-standard unit of measure.
    • Reference unit
      . A standard unit that you base the custom unit on. For example,
      hertz [Hz]
      . Blank if
      Physical dimension
       is set to
      None
      .
    • Unit id
      . A unique identifier of the custom unit. For example,
      1
      .
    • Display name
      . The name of the custom unit. For example,
      bpm
      .
    • Description
      . The description of the custom unit. For example,
      Beats per minute
      .
    • Slope
      . The conversion coefficient to convert the standard unit value to the custom unit value.
    • Intercept
      . The value to add to the referenced unit of measure.
    • Result
      . Automatically generated comparison between the reference unit and the custom unit. Blank if
      Physical dimension
       is set to
      None
      .
  6. (optional) To delete a custom engineering unit, select a cell in the engineering unit row and select
    Delete
    .
Example: Engineering units dictionary with a custom unit (bpm)
Physical dimension
Reference unit
Unit id
Display name
Description
Slope
Intercept
Result
Frequency
hertz [Hz]
1
bpm
Beats per minute
60
0
1 Hz = 60 bpm
Example: Engineering units dictionary with a custom unit (Chicken/m
2
)
Physical dimension
Reference unit
Unit id
Display name
Description
Slope
Intercept
Result
None
2
Chicken/m
2
 (Chicken/m
2
)
Chicken per square meter
0.0929
0
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