The abvolt (abV) is the unit of potential difference in the
CGS-EMU system of units. It corresponds to in the
SI system and 1/
statvolt ≈ in the
CGS-ESU system.
A potential difference of 1 abV will drive a current of one
abampere
The abampere (abA), also called the biot (Bi) after Jean-Baptiste Biot, is the derived electromagnetic unit of electric current in the emu-cgs system of units (electromagnetic cgs). One abampere corresponds to ten amperes in the SI system of ...
through a resistance of one
abohm
The abohm is the derived unit of electrical resistance in the emu-cgs ''(centimeter-gram-second)'' system of units (emu stands for "electromagnetic units"). One abohm corresponds to 10−9 ohms in the SI system of units, which is a nanoohm. ...
.
In most practical applications, the volt and its multiples are preferred. The national standard in the United States deprecates the use of the abvolt, suggesting the use of volts instead.
The name abvolt was introduced by
Kennelly in 1903 as a short name for the long name ''(absolute) electromagnetic cgs unit of e.m.f.'' that was in use since the adoption of the cgs system in 1875.
[A.E. Kennelly (1903]
"Magnetic units and other subjects that might occupy attention at the next international electrical congress"
''20th Annual Convention of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, 1903'' The abvolt was
coherent with the CGS-EMU system, in contrast to the volt, the
practical unit of e.m.f. that had been adopted too in 1875.
Notes
References
{{CGS units
Units of electrical potential
Centimetre–gram–second system of units