This article was originally published on January 24, 2022, and updated on March 3, 2025. If you work in oil and gas pipelines, chemical plants, refineries or anywhere that will require a thermowell to protect your temperature sensor from the process media, it is important to ensure that the device will work in the application. For instance, wake turbulence caused by your process has the potential to break the thermowell and damage your equipment. Calculating thermowell wake frequency can help. As a product leader at Ashcroft, with more than 40 years of industry experience, this is a topic that I talk to customers about often. In this article, you will learn what thermowell wake frequency is and how to calculate it. When you are done reading, you will understand the need to have a wake frequency calculation done and be more confident in your thermowell's ability to protect your temperature sensor. Plus, we will share additional resources that will deepen your knowledge of thermowells even further.

This article was originally published on October 31, 2022, and updated on February 26, 2025. If you work in oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, or any other industry that involves high heat, your challenge is to find instruments that are designed to withstand the extreme temperature conditions of the environment and your process media. For example, pressure gauges have specific temperature ranges. If your application goes beyond the instrument's limits, you may need to add an accessory to maintain the integrity and accuracy of your gauge. As the accessories product leader at Ashcroft, part of my job involves educating customers and distributors about the options available to keep their systems running safely and efficiently. In this article, you will learn how to protect your pressure gauges from getting damaged in harsh applications. You will also see links to additional articles and resources that will help deepen your knowledge of pressure gauges and the accessories that support them.

Pressure switches that are used for industrial applications involving any kind of liquid, such as water, oil or chemicals - or processes that have a risk of explosion - must meet specific standards. Choosing the wrong type of instrument for these challenging conditions can be dangerous for your operation and your people. As a territory manager for Ashcroft, customers often ask me to explain the difference between a NEMA 4/4X pressure switch and a NEMA 7/9. The short answer is that one classification is watertight (NEMA 4/4x) and one is explosion-proof (NEMA 7/9). But that response doesn't tell you what you need to know about these instruments before selecting the best switch for your specific needs. Read this article to learn the differences between these types of switches and how each is designed for a specific purpose. When you're done reading, you will have a clear understanding of the pressure switches, features and ratings to look for when choosing the best instrument for your application. You can also deepen your knowledge by clicking on any of the related links to additional resources.

This article was first published on September 12, 2022, and updated on February 19, 2025. Not every application will require the same level of pressure gauge accuracy. For instance, the pressure of a home water system does not necessarily need to be as precise as a medical sterilizer. However, over time, even the highest quality pressure instruments can become less accurate due to factors such as wear and tear, environmental conditions, and mechanical stress. This gradual decline in accuracy poses can lead to inefficiencies, safety risks, and compromised operations, making it critical to periodically calibrate your instruments to ensure they provide accurate readings. During my 13 years as a precision product leader at Ashcroft, I am often asked how calibration is done. Read this article to learn what is involved in pressure gauge calibration and the instruments you can use to ensure it is done correctly. At the end of the article, you will also see links to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge on this subject and more.

This article was originally published on August 16, 2021, and updated on February 12, 2025. Pressure gauge accessories like snubbers, dampeners, capillaries, pressure-limiting valves, and siphons play an important role in keeping your processes running safely and efficiently. However, while these devices help ensure your pressure instruments maintain optimal performance in the most challenging applications, there is an underlying concern about their potential impact on pressure measurement accuracy. As the product manager for pressure gauges and accessories at Ashcroft - a leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, I am often asked for reassurance that these products don't interfere with gauge performance. In this article, you will learn about the factors that can affect pressure measurement accuracy, and the accessories that help, not hinder, instrument performance.

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is well known for its aggressive and hazardous characteristics. That’s why selecting material for these applications is important for ensuring the safety and performance of your instruments and your operation. Ashcroft is a recognized leader in pressure measurement instrumentation and understands the unique challenges of hydrofluoric acid (HF). Read this article to learn about stress corrosion cracking, the comparative properties of Monel® 400 and Monel® K-500, their performance in HF environments, and considerations for using these or alternative materials in applications where corrosion resistance is critical.