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This article was originally published on September 23, 2023, and updated on November 3, 2025. As the HVAC/R industry continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia has become a preferred natural alternative to traditional chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant compounds. Ammonia's low environmental impact and high efficiency make it an attractive choice—but only when used with properly selected components. Because ammonia is corrosive to certain materials and can be hazardous at high concentrations, every part of your system, including pressure transducers, must be carefully matched to its demands. As a product director specializing in pressure sensors for 30 years, I know what to look out for when it comes to selecting an OEM pressure transducer for applications dealing with refrigeration and ammonia. Read this article to learn why ammonia remains a leading refrigerant choice, what challenges it presents, and which four factors to consider when selecting a pressure transducer for ammonia applications. Factors include accuracy, material compatibility, process connections and approvals/certifications.

This article was originally published on December 5, 2022, and updated on October 15, 2025. Selecting the correct electrical connection for a pressure transducer helps ensure your equipment continues to operate effectively, even when affected by vibration, moisture, dust, or temperature extremes that can compromise performance. From off-road equipment to process automation systems, choosing the wrong connector can lead to signal loss, premature failure, or even safety risks. As a recognized authority in pressure and temperature instrumentation, Ashcroft has extensive experience helping engineers and operators protect their systems in the harshest conditions. Read this article to learn the factors to consider when selecting an electrical connector for a transducer: Why connector selection directly affects sensor reliability and longevity What environmental conditions should guide your connector choice? What installation and wiring factors should you consider?

This article was originally published on April 25, 2022, and updated on October 1, 2025. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are the backbone of building comfort and safety. Because these systems operate continuously and consume significant energy, even small inefficiencies can drive up operating costs. At Ashcroft, a leading producer of pressure instruments for multiple industries, including HVAC, we provide insights and recommendations to engineers and facility managers like you to help improve system performance and reliability. For instance, we know that instrument accuracy is one of the most important factors in maintaining HVAC efficiency. Pressure sensing instruments, like transducers, monitor the system’s conditions and help automation controls that adjust fan speeds, pump flows and valve positions. Inaccurate sensor measurements can cause systems to overwork, leading to wasted energy and unnecessary expense. Read this article to: Examine how HVAC systems function and the factors that can influence measurement reliability. Learn how pressure sensors optimize HVAC system performance Understand why accuracy is so important Compare the different methods used to determine accuracy By understanding these elements, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate pressure sensors that support both building performance and cost savings.

This article was originally published on March 21, 2022, and updated on July 9, 2025. As manufacturing and industrial operations have become increasingly automated and reliant on electronic systems for safety, the importance of standardized functional safety measures has grown. Protecting system operators and maintaining safe, reliable processes are now top priorities across all industries. Whether you’re protecting workers from injury, preventing environmental spills or avoiding costly equipment damage, ensuring your pressure instruments are Safety Integrity Level (SIL) certified will play a key role in minimizing risk in your critical process applications. For example, when using pressure switches in your application, you will want to consider the SIL rating of your system or device. As a global expert in pressure and temperature instrumentation, we are often asked to explain the benefits of SIL certification. Read this article to learn more about this safety standard, the organization that created it, where SIL-certified instruments are used and the pressure switches we offer that can help prevent worker injury or damage to your equipment.

This article was originally published on May 31, 2023, and updated on June 11, 2025. As industries move to adopt hydrogen as a clean energy source, the demand for robust pressure sensing technology has never been greater. But hydrogen introduces unique challenges. For example, many hydrogen applications have processes that can cause hydrogen ion diffusion. This can lead to hydrogen permeation and embrittlement, which can cause premature failure of your measurement instruments. Ashcroft is a leading authority in pressure and temperature instrumentation, with decades of experience designing solutions that meet the unique demands of hydrogen environments. We wrote this article in response to a question that came into our help desk. Read on to learn about hydrogen permeation and hydrogen embrittlement, why they matter in hydrogen applications and how several Ashcroft® pressure transducers are uniquely engineered to mitigate each of these issues. You will also find additional resources that may address other questions you may have about hydrogen applications and selecting the right instrumentation for your system.

This article was originally published on July 25, 2022, and was updated on May 21, 2025. In tough OEM environments, reliable pressure measurement isn't a given, but it is a necessity. From the rugged terrain of agricultural machinery to the high-stakes precision of performance racing, selecting the right pressure transducer can make all the difference in system performance and longevity. Getting it wrong can affect both your product and your customers. For more than a century, Ashcroft has been a trusted partner that OEMs and system integrators rely on to meet quality, delivery and budget requirements, ensuring you always have the right pressure and temperature instruments for the job. Read this article to explore the features, capabilities and specifications of the Ashcroft® S1 OEM Pressure Transducer. This high-quality, robust and economical sensor is designed for large-volume manufacturing at an economical cost and is available for quick lead times. When you finish reading, you will have enough information to decide if this pressure sensor is a good fit for your OEM system.