Now more than ever, industrial leaders are taking measures to protect the environment. For example, if you are in the HVAC/R business you may be using a more ecologically friendly refrigerant compound like ammonia to help reduce your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. If this is the case, you need to be aware of certain risks and solutions that can help minimize potential danger. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerant and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), ammonia is an ideal alternative to traditional chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant compounds because of its low impact on the environment. However, in certain quantities, ammonia can also be hazardous to people and animals. That’s why systems with ammonia and similar refrigerant-based compounds need to have quality components, including pressure sensors. In some ammonia-based systems – such as those used in fuel pump controls – using the wrong kind of OEM pressure transducer could lead to leaks or bursts that cause serious harm to operators and equipment.

For the industry novice looking to understand the basics of pressure measurement instruments, it can be confusing and overwhelming to search through the seemingly limitless number of available transmitters and transducers.

If you work with any of the critical mechanical applications found in the modern world - including mobile construction equipment, and fuel pumps for example - it is likely you also manage hydraulic systems. Because these systems use liquids in various forms to generate power, you know that the inherent pressure feature of hydraulics has to be managed properly. In the best-case scenario, a lack of sufficient management of pressure levels in a system could lead to inferior output. In the worst cases, it could cause damage to equipment or physical harm to system operators. Hydraulic pressure gauges play a critical role in regulating pressure by monitoring levels in either a specified part or the entire system to ensure things are operating normally. So how do you know which pressure gauge will work best in your hydraulic system? Just know what you’re looking for and choose carefully! Sounds simple, right? As a pressure gauge product lead at Ashcroft - a recognized authority in temperature and pressure solutions - I have seen many scenarios where the wrong pressure gauges were selected and the impact that decision had on operations. In this article, you will learn about the five pressure gauge features I consider most important for hydraulic applications so you can be confident about selecting the best option to meet your specific needs. Let’s get started.

Liquefied gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen and helium, are used in many cryogenic applications. To measure pressure in these situations, your pressure instruments must be able to stand up to very low temperatures. So, how can you effectively measure process pressure when your pressure gauge is not rated for such a low cryogenic temperature? In this article, I will discuss cryogenic applications, and the different mounting options and accessories available that can help protect your pressure instruments from the effects of very low temperatures.

In your most challenging applications, safety is the number-one concern. I’m sure you’re always thinking about ways to keep workers safe and equipment functioning properly because downtime is not an option.