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?
Why is selecting the right electrical connection so important for pressure transducers?
Electrical connections do more than deliver power and transmit output signals—they provide essential protection against environmental hazards. A weak or poorly matched connector can cause intermittent readings, corrosion, or total sensor failure.
For example, in mobile hydraulic systems or compressors, connectors endure high vibration and thermal cycling. Over time, these stresses can loosen fittings or compromise seals, allowing moisture or debris to enter. The result is drift, erratic output, or short circuits. Reliable connections ensure:
- Signal integrity: Stable voltage or current output without dropouts
- Environmental protection: Proper sealing against contaminants like dust and oil
- Serviceability: Ease of installation, maintenance, and replacement
- Safety: Electrical isolation in hazardous locations where explosive gases or dust may be present
Ultimately, the right connector enhances the durability and reliability of the pressure transducer throughout its service life. When choosing an electrical connector that would function best in your application, be it indoors or outdoors and exposed to the elements, there are many factors to keep in mind.
What environmental conditions should guide your connector choice?
The environment in which a transducer operates determines the level of protection required. For instance, will your pressure transducer be installed outside, or will it be regularly exposed to moisture, dust or sunlight?
Both the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission have established standards, which specify how effectively a transducer's enclosure keeps the user safe from electrical hazards and prevents the entry of solids, liquids and other contaminants into the instrument.
NEMA rating examples
There are many different NEMA ratings that define how well an enclosure performs in different environmental conditions, including:
- NEMA 4 enclosures provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment. It protects against windblown dust and rain, splashing water and hose-directed water, making them ideal for outdoor use.
- NEMA 4X offers similar protection but with added resistance to corrosion, which is common in food, beverage or chemical processing environments.
- NEMA 7 enclosures are designed to contain an internal explosion without causing an external hazard.
- NEMA 9 enclosures are designed to prevent the ignition of combustible dust for use in hazardous areas.
Most Ashcroft pressure sensors predominately fall into the NEMA 4, NEMA 4X, NEMA 7/9 category ratings. For example, the Ashcroft® E2G Pressure Transducer has a NEMA 4X rating, so it offers the same protection as the NEMA 4, with the addition of corrosion resistance.
IP rating examples
In a previous article, we explained that ingress protection (IP) ratings typically consist of two numbers. The first indicates how well the instrument protects against solids (like dust). Solid ratings go from a low of 1 up to the highest rating of 6. The second number indicates how well the enclosure or sensor protects against liquids. See Figure 1 for full list.
Figure 1: IP Ratings Chart
Most Ashcroft pressure sensors have a dust rating of 6 and a liquid rating of anywhere between 5 and 8. For example, if you have an Ashcroft® G2 Pressure Transducer that has a rating of IP67, this means the device is dust-tight and can survive being immersed in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
Temperature limit considerations
Extreme hot or cold conditions also factor into your connection choice as they can degrade connector seals, harden insulation and affect the conductivity of contact materials. Selecting a connector rated for the full temperature range of your application helps ensure stable electrical performance and prevents cracking or moisture intrusion.
Humidity tolerance
Moisture is one of the most common causes of electrical failure. In high-humidity or washdown environments, water vapor can seep into unsealed connectors, leading to corrosion or short circuits. Connectors rated for high relative humidity (often up to 100% RH in sealed housings) use gaskets or potting compounds to protect contacts and maintain insulation resistance over time.
Manufacturers like Ashcroft typically provide pressure transducer temperature limits and humidity tolerance on product datasheets. As an example, Figure 2 can be found on the Ashcroft® S1 OEM Pressure Transducer datasheet.
Figure 2. Ashcroft Datasheet Example
What installation and wiring factors should you consider?
After selecting a connector that meets your environmental requirements, the next step is choosing one that fits your installation requirement.
Determine the number of wires and pins required
Each connector type accommodates a specific number of electrical contacts. Selecting a connector with the correct pin count ensures proper signal transmission and grounding. For example, voltage output transducers typically use a three-wire configuration, while current loop (4–20 mA) systems require two. Understanding your wiring needs helps narrow down the appropriate connector family and prevents mismatched or incomplete wiring during installation.
Plan how the mating connector will be wired and routed
Think about how your system wiring will reach the transducer. Will the cable run through conduit, a cable tray, or flexible harnessing? Do you need a short pigtail or lead wire to simplify connection in a tight space? These considerations may determine whether you need a molded cable assembly, conduit entry, or custom wire harness. Proper routing and strain relief reduce stress on the connector and minimize the chance of loose or damaged wiring over time.
Ready to learn more?
With these factors in mind, you can confidently select the best electrical connector for your application. Ashcroft provides a comprehensive range of connectors for our pressure transducers—including the E2, G2 and S1—all designed for seamless integration and reliable performance. If you want to learn more about pressure sensors, read some of our other articles:
- How Does Media Temperature Affect Pressure Transducer Performance?
- Choosing a Pressure Transducer for Critical Environments
- How Are Pressure Transducers Affected by Hydrogen Permeation?
- How to Protect and Optimize Pressure Transducers on Mobile Hydraulics
- How Much Do Pressure Transducers Cost? (6 Factors Impacting Price)
Contact us talk to one of our industry experts and get all of your questions answered. In the meantime, download our guide to learn about the 5 mistakes OEMs and system integrators make when selecting pressure sensors. 