This article was originally published on December 4, 2023, by Rick Zerafin and updated on September 26, 2024. If your work involves critical applications with harsh conditions, extreme weather and high-vibration environments, thermocouples are essential instruments that can keep your system operating efficiently. They are often used in equipment like turbine systems, gas compressors, pumps and other equipment to provide clear and reliable signals to communicate whether a system is working properly, or not. In doing so, these instruments help reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs and increase productivity. Selecting the correct junction type is critical to ensure optimal temperature sensor performance. With 40 years of measurement instrument experience, I am often asked about the differences and benefits of each junction option. In this article, you will learn about the different thermocouple components, including two of the most common types of junctions: grounded and ungrounded. You will also learn the advantages of each junction type, and which is preferable for different applications. When you are done reading, you will have a clear understanding of the best junction to select for your specific needs.

In applications involving conductive fluids such as tap water, seawater, ammonia and condensation from air and gases, safeguarding pressure instruments against galvanic corrosion is a critical concern. The corrosive nature of these systems can significantly compromise the functionality and longevity of your instrumentation, underscoring the importance of selecting the most appropriate options for your specific requirements. Typically, people focus on media compatibility as it relates to the wetted materials of the individual components that will be used in a system such as pressure instruments. However, it is also critical to identify potential areas of galvanic corrosion throughout the entire system and only use materials that are corrosive-resistant and compatible with galvanic conditions. Ashcroft has a long and successful history in pressure and temperature instrumentation, including those used in harsh applications such as saltwater and chemical environments. Read this article to better understand galvanic corrosion, where and how it occurs, and why media and material compatibility are so important when selecting the best pressure measurement solution for water-based applications. You will also be directed to additional resources that can help you take the next step in your instrument-purchasing journey.

If you have ever been confused about the term negative pressure, you are not alone. One reason the concept is so confusing is that negative pressure is not really negative at all. It is actually positive pressure, but it is negative in relation to atmospheric pressure. Let me explain. Early in my career (while working for an Ashcroft distributor) I had a difficult time with the term ‘negative pressure’. The only thing that I knew about pressure was filling up a balloon, a ball or a tire. How could pressure be negative? It didn’t make sense! I asked anyone and everyone to explain but never received a satisfactory answer. Today, as a Territory Sales Manager for Ashcroft, a recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation - and 16 years of experience under my belt - I now have a clear understanding of negative pressure, and I am in a position to share my insight. In this article, you will not only learn how to answer the question, "What is Negative Pressure?", you will also understand how it relates to other types of pressure. At the end of the article, you will also see links to additional resources that may be beneficial to you.

This article was originally published on September 20, 2023, and updated on September 11, 2024. For the second year in a row, Ashcroft was named a Top Workplace in Western Connecticut by Hearst Media Services. Notably, Ashcroft is the only manufacturer on the list of 55 winners. This year, the company also received recognition as a 2024 national Top Workplace in Manufacturing award winner. Out of the 89 national winners, Ashcroft was the only Connecticut-based company to earn the Top Workplaces title. We are incredibly proud of these accomplishments because they tell the world what we already know: Ashcroft is a wonderful place to work. As VP of Human Resources, I lead the Company’s HR Team and strategy initiatives. I recently answered some questions to shed some light on what exactly makes Ashcroft such a wonderful place to work. Read my replies to get a better understanding of what you can expect as an Ashcroft employee.

This article was originally published on October 30, 2023, by Rick Zarafin and was updated by Dave Dlugos. In the article “Why and When is RTD Calibration Necessary?”, we explored how Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs), such as our S81 and S50 models, offer superior performance over thermocouples for temperature process measurements due to their high accuracy and repeatability. RTDs are particularly suitable for critical applications, including chemical and refining processes, where precise temperature measurements are essential. To fully grasp the importance of RTD calibration, it is crucial to understand the fundamental working principles of an RTD. As a leader in temperature and pressure instrument solutions, Ashcroft creates articles to address common questions from our customers. Our goal is to provide you with the information and tools you need to make informed decisions about your temperature measurement solutions. In this article, you'll learn how RTDs work, gain knowledge about the different levels of accuracy achievable with RTDs, and see how to maintain and calibrate these devices to meet your specific needs. You will also receive links to additional resources to help deepen your understanding of these temperature measurement instruments.

This article was originally published on April 29, 2024, and updated on August 28, 2024 Whether you use industrial storage tanks for harvesting rainwater, providing municipal drinking water, irrigating fields, emergency fire suppression, or other purposes, you know how important it is to maintain accurate tank level pressure. One reliable solution is a pressure switch. This instrument is known for its accuracy, repeatability and versatility in water level management applications in water treatment systems, bubblers, scrubbers, and more. But how do they work? Ashcroft has decades of experience manufacturing pressure switches designed to address the unique challenges of water systems, such as tank-level management. Our instruments, including those that are certified for NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, are used globally to keep water systems flowing efficiently. In this article, you will see how a pressure switch works and learn how multiple tank levels can be monitored and controlled using one or more pressure switch connections. When you are done reading, you will also find additional resources to answer other switch-related questions you may have.