üleühikud

üleühikud are a concept in Estonian physics and engineering referring to units of measurement that are not part of the internationally recognized International System of Units (SI). The term literally translates to "beyond units" or "super-units." While SI units like meters, kilograms, and seconds are the standard for scientific and technical communication globally, Estonia, like many other countries, may still encounter or historically use units that fall outside this system in various contexts.

These non-SI units can range from older, traditional units that have fallen out of common use to units specific to certain industries or historical practices. For instance, while meters are standard for length, one might encounter older documents or specific industrial applications that still use units like centimeters or even older, non-metric measures that have been phased out. Similarly, in fields like electrical engineering, units like amperes and volts are SI, but discussions might involve derived or non-standard units in specific contexts.

The concept of "üleühikud" highlights the ongoing transition and adaptation to standardized international measurement systems. It acknowledges that even with the prevalence of SI, residual or specialized units can persist. Understanding "üleühikud" is important for interpreting historical data, specific technical documentation, and for ensuring clarity in communication when non-standard units might be encountered in an Estonian context.