Pressure sensors, including pressure transducers and pressure transmitters, are a critical aspect of semiconductor manufacturing. These instruments measure pressure to control the flow and distribution of ultrahigh purity (UHP) gases and liquids safely and effectively throughout the production process. In my last article about transducers for semiconductor UHP gas applications, I explained how Ashcroft and our parent company Nagano Keiki Co. LTD, have been providing pressure and temperature instrumentation to semiconductor manufacturing customers globally for decades. This piece will provide more insight into the liquid process of semiconductor manufacturing and review the pressure monitoring features to look for in instruments that are designed to perform well in these complex processes. When you are done reading, I hope you will have a better understanding of the use of UHP fluids in semiconductor applications and the solutions employed to accurately measure pressure. You will also find related articles and guides that you can use as references for this evolving topic.

A differential pressure gauge measures the difference in pressure between two points in a system and presents the subsequent differential pressure directly on a single gauge dial. Ashcroft has specialized in pressure instrumentation since 1852. As a leader in our field, we are often asked to provide information to individuals looking for a foundation of knowledge on this subject and more. Read on to learn where basic definitions related to differential pressure, where the gauges are used, how they work, and common applications. When you're done reading, you will also find additional resources that may interest you.

This article was originally published on December 13, 2021, and was updated on February 4, 2024. Different industrial applications require different types of gauges to measure pressure at various points of the process. Mechanical pressure gauges, for example, can be used to measure absolute pressure, vacuum pressure and compound pressure. If you’re not selecting the appropriate kind of pressure to be measured, your gauge may not provide you with the required “readable” pressure scale. Ashcroft has been manufacturing pressure and temperature instrumentation since 1852 and as the senior product manager for process gauges, I have been fielding questions on the subject for the past 15 years. In this article, I will take you through the various types of pressure and review the different gauges and transducers available to meet your specific pressure needs.

A thermowell is a device designed to protect temperature monitoring instruments from the damaging effects of corrosive media, high pressure and velocity in industrial applications. Without the protection of a thermowell, temperature instruments can become inoperable, putting your whole operation at risk. Ashcroft is a global leader in temperature measurement instrumentation. We created this article as part of our Understanding the Basics series to provide a foundation of information about thermowells. If you are an industry novice or just want a refresher on how thermowells work, this is a great place to start. In this article, you will discover where thermowells are used, learn about the different types of thermowells, see how they connect to the process piping and more. When you are done reading, you will also find additional resources that may interest you.

If you work in a production plant or facility that uses highly corrosive process media, you likely own diaphragm seals to protect the sensing element of your pressure instrumentation from getting damaged. Without that protection, your whole operation can be compromised. But how can you be sure your diaphragm seal is performing properly? Ashcroft, a leader in pressure and temperature measurement, provides training on different aspects of these devices. In fact, as a territory manager, I have been training product distributors on this very topic for years. Now I want to share this information with you. In this article, I will cover how diaphragm seals are used in different applications and the steps you can take to ensure these instruments perform as you need them to.

A pressure switch is a control device that senses changes in pressure and mechanically opens and closes an electrical circuit at a pre-determined point. Unlike other pressure instruments like pressure gauges and pressure sensors that measure and monitor pressure, switches are a bit more complicated. Ashcroft is an industry leader in pressure measurement instrumentation and created this article to provide a basic foundation of information about switches for the industry novice. Read on to learn about the different types of pressure switches, common applications, how they operate, key terms, switch accuracy, activation methods and more. When you’re done reading, you will also find additional resources about switches that may interest you.