Working in cleanrooms, operating rooms and critical environments found in pharmaceutical and other industries requires you to maintain a positive pressure to prevent contaminants from entering these spaces. The pressure level necessary to keep these areas contaminant-free is typically between 0.01 to 0.15 inches of water differential. There are also negative pressure applications such as isolation rooms that require you to maintain pressures to similar levels. So, how exactly can you maintain such precise conditions to ensure these environments are safe for use? The solution lies in carefully choosing instruments specifically designed and calibrated for these critical environments, coupled with an understanding of the future calibration requirements necessary to guarantee precise and reliable readings over time. During the past eight years as a product manager overseeing the low-pressure sensor product line at Ashcroft, I’ve helped customers address this very issue with great success. In this article, you will learn about critical environments, reasons why instrument calibration is needed and how Ashcroft makes the process easier than traditional methods. You will also be directed to additional resources that can help answer other common questions about this topic.

This article was originally published on May 3, 2021, and was updated on August 21, 2024. Pressure instruments play a crucial role in ensuring the ideal conditions for water and wastewater systems across various sectors. If you are a design engineer, systems integrator, or plant operator, you understand that choosing the correct instrumentation is essential for the efficient, reliable and safe operation of your systems. With a legacy dating back to 1852, Ashcroft has been at the forefront of creating quality pressure measuring and monitoring instruments that are widely used in water and wastewater facilities worldwide. This article offers several effective strategies to enhance the performance of instrumentation in various water and wastewater applications in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. Whether you are responsible for monitoring pressure, temperature, or flow in a water treatment facility or ensuring the safety of your potable water system, these insights will assist you in achieving your desired outcomes. When you are finished reading, you will also be directed to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge of these applications and the instrumentation that can help your water and wastewater systems run efficiently.

This article was originally published on October 23, 2023, by Rick Zarafin and updated on August 19, 2024 by Dave Dlugos. As an industrial instrument designer, you are faced with a multitude of temperature measurement options to choose from. In addition to the commonly used infrared, bi-metal, gas-actuated thermometers and thermistors, to name a few. Each of these options stands out as a reliable choice for industrial automation and process applications. However, the instruments predominantly selected for industrial automation and process applications are thermocouples and Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) because of their proven ability to provide accurate and reliable readings. Each of these sensors has unique advantages and can be configured to match the application needs for optimum service life and performance. Based on my experience working with instrumentation and reliability teams, I’ve seen and compared the benefits of both options. Thermocouples, for example, are often chosen for a robust signal, cost-effective price and ability to withstand most process plant specifications, including harsh vibration and high-temperature range up to 2300° C. RTDs, on the other hand, are the top choice for applications demanding higher accuracy levels and minimal drift. In this article, you will learn about the advantages of RTDs and the significance of RTD calibration in ensuring precise and consistent readings for an extended lifespan. You will also be directed to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge about these instruments and their applications.

A 4-20 mA analog output is a universally recognized industry standard for relaying electrical signals (as currents) over long distances. For example, many sensing instruments such as pressure transmitters and transducers use a 4-20 mA output as a simple and reliable method to convey information from the field to a system control room. If you want to learn more about this type of output, and the benefits of the 2-wire connection option vs. a 3-wire option, you've come to the right place. I have been a product leader at Ashcroft for almost two decades and have extensive experience in pressure and temperature measurement. During that time, I've been asked a lot of questions about how things work and the benefits of selecting one measurement device over another. We created our Understanding the Basics series to give those who are new to the industry a framework of information to use as a valuable point of reference when needed. In this article, you will learn about 4-20 mA analog outputs, including where they are used, how they work, and the advantages and challenges of using the 2-wire vs. a 3-wire in your application. When you're finished, you'll know if this type of output is right for you.

Gas-actuated thermometers and bimetal thermometers are both commonly used temperature measurement instruments in multiple industries due to their reliability and precision. However, they operate on different principles. No matter what industry you work in, if you require accurate temperature monitoring, understanding these thermometers can enhance both efficiency and safety in your operations. As the temperature product manager at Ashcroft – an industry leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation – I am often asked which of these instruments will be most appropriate for different applications. The answer, of course, depends on several factors. Read this article to compare the mechanics, applications, and advantages of gas-actuated and bimetal thermometers. Links to additional resources will also provide relevant information to help deepen your knowledge of temperature measurement. When you are finished reading, you will be in a better position to select the right instrument for your specific needs.

If you work in any industry that involves potable water systems, you understand the importance of ensuring the water is safe for consumption. That’s why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a third-party guarantee that any components in contact with the water in these systems will not contaminate public water supplies. The National Sanitation Foundation's NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certification (moving forward referred to as NSF 61) of these types of components satisfies this EPA requirement, so you can be confident when selecting them for your water systems. As part of our Understanding the Basics series, Ashcroft – a leading manufacturer of pressure and temperature instrumentation used in water/wastewater applications – created this article to address the questions we receive from our customers about NSF-61 and the products we offer that meet this certification. Read on to learn more about NSF 61, the benefits of using NSF 61 certified components and the Ashcroft instruments that bear the NSF 61 stamp of approval. Once you have finished reading, you will be well-versed on the topic and confident about choosing NSF 61-approved products for your water applications.