Measuring very low-pressure in controlled environments like data centers, isolation rooms, labs, and operating rooms, for example, is challenging because they must maintain a very specific and very controlled atmosphere. If these environments are compromised in any way, it puts the people and the equipment you are protecting at risk. That's why you must ensure your pressure measurement instrumentation meets the specified guidelines for accuracy and reliability. As a product manager at Ashcroft, I have 26 years of industry experience, including the past eight years working exclusively on low-pressure sensing technology. In this article, you will see how we define 'very low' pressure, see examples of controlled environments where low-pressure measurements are required, and learn how pressure is measured in these applications. You will also gain a better understanding of the impact temperature has on pressure measurement and what to look for in a pressure measurement instrument to ensure your controlled environment stays secure. When you are done reading, you will also be directed to additional articles and resources that may be of interest for other questions you may have.

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a process used to create highly advanced, field-proven, thin film technology for pressure sensors that are used in mid- to high-pressure applications. These sensors are designed to deliver consistently accurate, reliable and repeatable pressure measurements under some of the most difficult conditions. If you are an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), you know that your operations are among the most rugged in any industry. As such, you require instrumentation that is both consistently accurate and able to meet the shock, vibration, temperature and high cycle demands of your applications. As a recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, Ashcroft pressure transducers offer OEM customers everything they need in a high-quality pressure transducer. Our CVD-based sensors are produced in Japan by our parent company, Nagano Keiki, and are used in many of our pressure sensors, especially those needed for OEMs. In this article, you will learn how CVD technology works in the manufacturing process, applications where you will find this technology and the benefits it offers to OEM manufacturers and others who use it. When you are done reading, you will see other related resources that will help you learn more about the pressure instruments that incorporate CVD technology and the applications where they are used.

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.

Freezing temperatures can damage sensitive electronic pressure-measuring instrumentation, such as a pressure transducer/transmitter. Regardless of whether an operator tries their best to remove all the water from their system to prevent freezing, it is still possible that a small diaphragm cavity or pressure passage within the transducer's sensor will retain water. When this water freezes, it can cause excessive pressure on the sensor diaphragm element, exceeding its normal range of motion, and resulting in permanent distortion. Even when the ice melts with warmer temperatures, the transducer will no longer be able to return to its original zero position, making it unusable and necessitating replacement. Ashcroft, a leading manufacturer of pressure and temperature instruments since 1852, has explored this challenge extensively and offers a solution to help you prevent this from happening in your water-based applications. In this article, we will discuss what exactly happens to pressure-sensing instruments when they are exposed to freezing temperatures, the common applications where this occurs and a cost-saving solution for protecting your instruments and keeping your operation running effectively.

What do race cars, off-highway vehicles (OHV) and any other high-performance machine or system have in common? They are only as good as the instruments you find under the hood. In fact, something as small as the pressure sensing device can have a big impact on the success or failure of meeting your equipment’s operational expectations. As an equipment builder, you expect your OEM pressure measurement instruments to be accurate. That’s a given. But even if it’s not top of mind immediately, what you want even more than accuracy is long-term repeatability. Ashcroft has been manufacturing pressure measurement instrumentation since 1852. So, we understand how challenging it can be to find high-quality, accurate and cost-effective instruments that go the distance to deliver consistent performance over the long term. This is especially relevant for sensors used in tough conditions involving exposure to wide temperature ranges, high cycle life expectations and vibration. Each of these could affect the accuracy and repeatability of critical pressure measurements. This article will explain the elements of an OEM pressure sensor, clarify the difference between repeatability and accuracy, and show you what makes a sensor accurate and repeatable over time. When you are done reading, you will know the key factors to look for when purchasing a high-performance pressure sensor for demanding cycle life conditions which can be common to many applications.

If you are an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) looking to optimize cost and streamline installation processes, you’ll want to learn more about ratiometric (RM) output pressure transducers. These highly efficient and cost-effective solutions are engineered to accommodate a wide range of applications, such as off-highway vehicles (OHV), motorsports, and mobile hydraulic systems. I recently published a blog that reviewed three key factors to consider when selecting an OEM pressure transducer: reliability, durability, and repeatability. Ratiometric output transducers incorporate all three factors and more. In this article, you will learn how these pressure measurement instruments can help you achieve cost savings while ensuring seamless integration and enhanced performance in demanding environments.