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This article was originally published on July 11, 2022, and updated on April 23, 2025. In operations that involve a risk of fire or explosion, using the wrong pressure instruments can result in severe consequences, including operator injury, equipment damage or worse. To reduce the risk of anything catastrophic happening, pressure switches and other instruments used in these environments must adhere to strict class and division codes. During my extensive career in pressure and temperature measurement, my expertise in this area is a requirement. I write about it often to help others know what to look for when purchasing instruments for their hazardous location applications. Read this article to learn about the different class and division codes and which ones will apply to your specific needs. You will also be directed to additional resources designed to deepen your knowledge even further about pressure instruments and hazardous locations.

This article was published on July 23, 2023, and updated on April 21, 2025. Pressure transducers, such as those used in tire manufacturing and other hydraulic applications, must be designed to withstand the rigorous demands of their environments. These sensors play an important role in measuring and monitoring process pressure to ensure your systems operate safely and efficiently. In tire manufacturing, for instance, transducers must endure high temperatures and pressures during the vulcanizing process, where the rubber is molded and hardened. Similarly, in other hydraulic applications, they must be resilient against factors like hydraulic shock, vibration, and pressure spikes, which can significantly impact their performance and longevity. Therefore, selecting the right transducer involves considering its ability to handle these challenging conditions while maintaining precision and reliability. In my 30+ years of experience working with pressure sensors, I’ve been able to help thousands of customers ensure that they have the right transducer for the job. This article will help you understand the critical factors you should consider when selecting pressure transducers for challenging environments such as vulcanizing and other hydraulic applications that experience tough conditions. When you are done reading, you will also see additional resources to help deepen your knowledge about pressure transducers and mistakes to avoid when selecting the right instrument for your needs.

This article was originally published on May 16, 2022, and updated on April 16, 2025. In high-pressure applications, managing pressures of 40,000 psi and above is critical for safety and efficiency. These environments pose significant challenges, such as extreme pulsation and vibration, which can lead to equipment failure and safety hazards. That's why ensuring your gauge is designed to withstand these conditions is so important. Since 1852, Ashcroft has been a trusted authority in pressure measurement, providing reliable solutions for demanding applications. Read this article to learn about common uses for ultra-high-pressure gauges, the standards they must follow for system and operator safety and considerations for selecting a pressure gauge for your needs. You will also be directed to additional resources to help you deepen your knowledge of relevant pressure gauge topics.

If you are using a pressure transducer (also known as a sensor) to measure liquid, gas or air pressure in a critical environment, OEM application or high-purity manufacturing process, you need to have confidence in the accuracy of your instrument. That confidence will be tested if there is an offset in the output of that instrument at zero and/or span. However, if you understand the reasons behind why offset can occur and what you can do to address it, your confidence will be restored. Ashcroft, an industry leader in pressure measurement instruments, has consistently demonstrated reliability and excellence in the field of pressure measurement instrumentation. That's why we are often asked to share our expertise and shed light on topics like this one. Read this article to learn how transducers measure pressure, possible causes of offset in the output of your sensor and what you can do to ensure your sensor is providing you with an accurate pressure measurement. You will also have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge through additional articles and resources available to you.

Diaphragm seals, also known as isolators, are commonly used to help safeguard the wetted parts of pressure measurement instruments, such as sensors (transmitters and transducers), gauges and switches, from corrosive chemicals in your system's pipes. In some instances, however, diaphragms are also used to protect the instrument from large particles that could potentially obstruct the process connection. As a business development leader at Ashcroft – a leader in pressure instrumentation – I frequently address these concerns in low-pressure applications. Read this article to learn about the factors to consider for using a diaphragm seal in your operation and to use them on different types of instruments (mechanical or sensor) to keep your system flowing. You will also see additional resources you can use as a reference to deepen your knowledge of these isolating instruments.

This article was originally published on May 10, 2021, and updated on April 2, 2025. The industrial and OEM markets offer a wide variety of pressure transducers, each with its own price range. The challenge is finding the best instrument for your specific application at a cost that aligns with your budget. Having spent over 20 years in the pressure sensor/transducer industry in roles related to product management and sales, I've gained firsthand knowledge of the numerous factors that affect pricing. In this article, you will gain insight into these cost drivers so you can make a more informed decision about your transducer purchase. Please note, we are purposely excluding automotive/appliance and process transducers/transmitters from this discussion, as their market and cost structures are unique. Also, for clarity, the term “pressure transducer” refers to the complete assembly of the pressure sensor and output board, which some industries might also call a pressure sensor or transmitter. In this article, "pressure sensor" will indicate the sensing element or technology itself, which is part of the full pressure transducer product.