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If you are among the growing number of natural gas vehicle (NGV) manufacturers that use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) power-generating components, you know that safety in your process is paramount. That is why it is important to ensure any pressure measurement instrumentation used in these applications has proper approvals from applicable governing agencies. However, acceptable approvals for cars and trucks in the U.S. are different from approvals you will need for vehicles made for the overseas market. For instance, all NGV vehicles in Europe must follow Regulation No. 110 (R110) safety regulations. As a recognized leader in pressure and temperature measurement instrumentation for industrial and OEM markets, Ashcroft receives daily questions about the challenges our customers are facing. In this article, you will learn more about CNG and LNG-powered vehicles and why R110 approvals are necessary for any instruments used in the production of NGV vehicles that are sold in Europe. When you are finished reading, you will also receive additional resources to help you select the best pressure instrumentation to meet your specific needs.

This article was originally published on February 9, 2022, and was updated on April 3, 2024. Pressure gauges are often used in challenging environments where they could be exposed to extreme temperatures that may damage them or impact their accuracy. These extreme temperatures can come from a variety of sources such as the surrounding environment (ambient temperature), or the temperature of the process media being measured (media temperature). How do you minimize the effects of temperature on your instrumentation and protect your pressure gauges from damage? Read on to learn the effects that temperature can have on pressure gauges and their performance. Plus, you will gain insights into how you can address these issues to keep your gauge working at peak performance.

This article was originally published on June 27, 2022, and was updated on March 20, 2024. Critical process applications demand implementing critical safety measures. The safety of your operators and your customers depends on using high-quality pressure measuring instruments that can help you avoid disaster. The one thing I've learned in over 25 years of industry experience is that you can never be too careful. Unfortunately, when I visit process plants and other facilities, I often find that proper instrumentation is not installed on many applications. Understanding which instruments to use can be the difference between a successful operation and a dangerous one. In this article, you will learn why installing both an analog pressure gauge and a pressure transmitter to monitor air, gas or liquid pressure in challenging industrial applications is a good safety strategy. They each have a specific job to do. When you are finished reading, you can decide if having both types of instruments working for you is the right decision. You will also get links to additional information that you may find useful.

This article was originally published on June 9, 2021, and was updated on March 4, 2024. Pressure gauges play a critical role in your process applications. They accurately and reliably measure and monitor pressure to determine if process systems are working effectively and efficiently, or if you need to make system alterations or adjustments. This helps ensure the safety of your personnel, the efficiency of your processes and the quality of your products. But what happens when your pressure gauges stop working? Your entire operation is at risk. That's why periodic instrument audits are good practice. Ashcroft has been conducting comprehensive instrument audits for 10 years. As the product lead for process gauges, I see the results of these audits and can tell you why instruments fail in the first place. The good news is that most of these “instrument killers” we've identified can be prevented if you know the warning signs. In this article, you will learn the primary indicators that tell you your pressure gauge may be failing and the 6 most common pressure gauge problems and solutions that we found in our instrument audits. When you are done reading, you will know what to look for and be prepared to address any of these issues ahead of time. Armed with this information, you will be able to keep your processes running safely, smoothly and effectively.

When you think of semiconductors, you may picture all the ways they make our lives easier. After all, we rely on semiconductor applications every day for conveniences like cell phones, computers, cars and other electronic devices. But for those of you who work in semiconductor manufacturing, you also know the demanding and challenging nature of making them. The hazardous nature of the manufacturing process requires stringent protocols, approvals and specialized equipment that can perform with precision and accuracy under harsh conditions. So, when it comes to monitoring the distribution of ultra-high purity (UHP) gases flowing through the process, choosing the right pressure gauge is critical. As a product lead at Ashcroft – a recognized authority in pressure and temperature instrumentation - I have been working with Ultra High Purity (UHP) Pressure Gauges for several years. In my role, I am often asked how to choose the right UHP gauge for these kinds of applications. Of course, my answer is, it depends. In this article, I will review how and where semiconductors are made, the role UHP gases play in the manufacturing process and the specific features you will need when choosing a pressure gauge for UHP applications. When you are finished reading, you will also see additional resources that you can use as a reference on the topic of high purity.

If you are working in an industry that requires instrumentation to measure and monitor pressure in a system, you already know the basic principle of pressure measurement. According to Pascal's Law, pressure is proportional to the force and inversely related to the area over which the force is applied. In other words, pressure is equal to force per unit area. Figure 1: Pressure Equation. Different systems and applications require different types of pressure measurement instruments. For example, mechanical pressure gauges may be used as visual indicators of pressure levels throughout a process. Conversely, pressure transducers or transmitters can sense changes in a system’s pressure and send a signal to a control room. If you are new to your industry and want to learn more about pressure instruments, this article will give you a high-level overview of how to read pressure, definitions of pressure types and the instruments used to measure pressure. Ashcroft is a recognized global leader in pressure instrumentation and is a trusted authority for related information. When you are done reading, you will find additional resources related to pressure measurement that may interest you.