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Weights and Measures Act 1985

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Changes over time for: SCHEDULE 1

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Version Superseded: 13/06/2020

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Sections 1(2), 8(1).

SCHEDULE 1U.K. Definitions of Units of Measurement

Part IU.K. Measurement of Length

Imperial units

F1. . .F1. . .
F1. . .F1. . .
F1. . .F1. . .
F1. . .F1. . .

Textual Amendments

F1Sch. 1 Pts. I, II: entries omitted (1.10.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 6(5)(a)

Metric unitsU.K.

Kilometre =1000 metres.
METREis the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299 792 458 of a second.
Decimetre =1/10 metre.
Centimetre =1/100 metre.
Millimetre =1/1000 metre.

Part IIU.K. Measurement of Area

Imperial unitsU.K.

F2. . .F2. . .
F2. . .F2. . .
F2. . .F2. . .

Textual Amendments

F2Sch. 1 Pts. I, II: entries omitted (1.10.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 6(5)(a)

Metric unitsU.K.

Hectare =100 ares.
Decare =10 ares.
Are =100 square metres.
SQUARE METRE=a superficial area equal to that of a square each side of which measures one metre.
Square decimetre =1/100 square metre.
Square centimetre =1/100 square decimetre.
Square millimetre =1/100 square centimetre.

Part IIIU.K. Measurement of Volume

Metric unitsU.K.

CUBIC METRE =a volume equal to that of a cube each edge of which measures one metre.
Cubic decimetre =1/1000 cubic metre.
Cubic centimetre =1/1000 cubic decimetre.
Hectolitre =100 litres.
LITRE =a cubic decimetre.
Decilitre =1/10 litre.
Centilitre =1/100 litre.
Millilitre =1/1000 litre.

Part IVU.K. Measurement of Capacity

[F3Imperial unit]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3Heading in Sch. 1 Pt. IV substituted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(a)(i)

F4. . .F4. . .
F4. . .F4. . .
Pint =[F50.568 261 25 cubic decimetre.]
F4. . .F4. . .
F6. . .F6. . .

Textual Amendments

F4Sch. 1 Pt. IV: definitions of “gallon”, “quart” and “gill” omitted (1.10.1995) by virtue of S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 6(5)(b)(i)

F5Sch. 1 Pt. IV: definition substituted (1.10.1995) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 6(5)(b)(ii)

F6Sch. 1 Pt. IV: definition of “fluid ounce” omitted (1.1.2000) by virtue of S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(a)(ii)

Metric unitsU.K.

Hectolitre =100 litres.
LITRE =a cubic decimetre.
Decilitre =1/10 litre.
Centilitre =1/100 litre.
Millilitre =1/1000 litre.

Part VU.K. Measurement of Mass or Weight

[F7Imperial unit]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F7Heading in Sch. 1 Pt. V substituted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(b)(i)

F8. . .F8. . .
F8. . .F8. . .
[F9OUNCE TROY=][F90.031 103 476 8 kilogram.]

Textual Amendments

F8Sch. 1 Pt. V: definitions of “pound” and “ounce” omitted (1.1.2000) by virtue of S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(b)(ii)

F9Sch. 1 Pt. V: definition of “ounce troy” substituted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(b)(iii)

Metric unitsU.K.

Tonne, metric tonne =1000 kilograms.
KILOGRAM=is the unit of mass; it is equal to the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram.
Hectogram =1/10 kilogram.
Gram =1/1000 kilogram.
Carat (metric) =1/5 gram.
Milligram =1/1000 gram.

[F10PART VIU.K.Definitions of certain units which may not be used for trade except as supplementary indications

Textual Amendments

F10Sch. 1 Pt. VI substituted (1.10.1995) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 6(5)(c)

Measurement of length
Mile=1760 yards.
Furlong=220 yards.
Chain=22 yards.
YARD=0.9144 metre.
Foot=1/3 yard.
Inch=1/36 yard.
Measurement of area
Square mile=640 acres.
Acre=4840 square yards.
Rood=1210 square yards.
Square yard=a superficial area equal to that of a square each side of which measures one yard.
Square foot=1/9 square yard.
Square inch=1/144 square foot.
Measurement of volume
Cubic yard=a volume equal to that of a cube each edge of which measures one yard.
Cubic foot=1/27 cubic yard.
Cubic inch=1/1728 cubic foot.
Measurement of capacity
Bushel=8 gallons.
Peck=2 gallons
GALLON=4.54609 cubic decimetres.
Quart=¼ gallon.
Gill=¼ pint.
[F11Fluid ounce][F11=][F111/20 pint.]
Fluid drachm=1/8 fluid ounce.
Minim=1/60 fluid drachm.
Measurement of mass or weight
Ton=2240 pounds.
Hundredweight=112 pounds.
Cental=100 pounds.
Quarter=28 pounds.
Stone=14 pounds.
[F12POUND][F12=][F120.453 592 37 kilogram.]
[F13 Ounce][F13=][F131/16 pound]
Dram=1/16 ounce.
Grain=1/7000 pound.
Pennyweight=24 grains.
Ounce apothecaries=480 grains.
Drachm=1/8 ounce apothecaries.
Scruple=1/3 drachm.
Metric ton=1000 kilograms.
Quintal=100 kilograms.]

Textual Amendments

F11Sch. 1 Pt. VI: definition of “fluid ounce” inserted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(c)(i)

F12Sch. 1 Pt. VI: definition of “pound” inserted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(c)(ii)

F13Sch. 1 Pt. VI: definition of “ounce” inserted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1994/2867, reg. 7(3)(c)(ii)

Part VIIU.K. Measurement of Electricity

1.(a) AMPEREis that constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of negligible circular cross-section and placed 1 metre apart in vacuum, would produce between these conductors a force equal to 2 x 10–7 newton per metre of length.
(b) OHMis the electric resistance between two points of a conductor when a constant potential difference of 1 volt, applied between the two points, produces in the conductor a current of 1 ampere, the conductor not being the seat of any electromotive force.
(c) VOLTis the difference of electric potential between two points of a conducting wire carrying a constant current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between these points is equal to 1 watt.
(d) WATTis the power which in one second gives rise to energy of 1 joule.
2.Kilowatt= 1000 watts.
Megawatt= one million watts.

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