This article was originally published on October 2, 2023, and updated on October 14, 2024. The number of industries that rely on pressure measurement equipment is expansive. The list includes manufacturing, water/wastewater, hydraulics, food and beverage, medical, and pharmaceutical, among others. If you are new to any of these markets, you need to understand the importance of monitoring and maintaining appropriate levels of pressure in the critical processes in your industry. Accurate measurement of pressure in these processes is essential for ensuring safety, control and process efficiency. However, achieving these goals requires periodic instrument calibration. With more than 12 years of specialization in precision instruments, I have witnessed first-hand the consequences of neglecting calibration. As a follow-up to my blog titled, How to Check the Calibration of a Pressure Gauge, this article examines in more detail the circumstances that necessitate this important process, focuses on the three most critical factors of calibration and discusses the considerations associated with each factor. When you finish reading, you will have a solid foundation of knowledge regarding pressure instrument calibration and be ready to dig deeper into the topic with the additional resources provided for your reference.

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 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.

Ashcroft has written other articles on selecting the best pressure gauges or pressure transducers for ammonia applications (see links at the bottom of this piece). However, we noticed we were still getting questions from people about the ammonia element itself. So, for the industry novice, this article will take a step back to address those specific questions. Ashcroft pressure and temperature instruments are used in virtually every type of industrial application, including ammonia, so it is our job to know how they will perform in every situation. Here we will review a couple of ammonia applications, and what to look for when selecting the best pressure gauge for your specific needs. At the end of the article, you will find additional resources that may interest you.

If you work in any industry that involves food, beverages, pharmaceuticals or biotechnology, your challenge is to implement and maintain strict sanitary control over your entire operation to prevent product contamination and protect public health. This means, that every aspect of the manufacturing process, including equipment and instruments you use to keep your systems running smoothly, must also meet certain sanitary and hygienic standards. Ashcroft is a globally recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, so we understand the unique requirements our products must meet for use in these highly regulated industries. In fact, as a Product Leader for the company's sanitary product line, I am often asked for guidance during our customers' gauge selection process. In this article, you will learn more about the unique safety challenges of these highly regulated industries, the safety standards that are designed for public protection and some factors to consider when selecting the best sanitary gauge for your needs. When you are done reading, you will also be directed to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge of pressure gauges in general.

This article was originally published on May 23, 2022, by Lou Altieri and was updated on June 5, 2024, by Jessi Jackowski. Industrial water blasting and water jetting systems have unique challenges including high vibration, high pulsation and extremely high pressure. Water blasting, for example, can reach as high as 40,000 psi, while water jetting can reach 100,000 psi. These systems require close pressure monitoring using specialized instruments designed to withstand harsh conditions. With more than 170 years of experience, Ashcroft understands how difficult ultra-high applications can be. We also know that using instruments that are not manufactured to tolerate demanding applications like these can cause your system to fail, damage your equipment and possibly injure your operators. If you’re using pressure instruments that are not designed to handle these conditions, you could damage your equipment and disrupt your process Read this article to learn what you should consider before selecting a pressure measurement instrument for ultra-high-pressure applications. You'll also learn why the Ashcroft® T6500 Ultra-High-Pressure (UHP) gauge is designed with standards making it suitable for these pressurized water systems. When you are done reading, you will be in a better position to decide if this gauge is the right product to ensure the safety of your equipment and your operators.