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Monitoring low-pressure processes comes with unique challenges. In industries ranging from food and beverage to wastewater treatment to liquefied natural gas (LNG) transfer, even modest changes in pressure can affect efficiency, product quality, or safety. Directly exposing instruments to these processes often leads to media buildup, corrosion, or inaccurate readings. That’s where using assemblies that combine pressure gauges, transducers, or switches with diaphragm seals or isolation rings can help. Ashcroft, a leading authority in pressure and temperature instrumentation, has decades of experience helping industries overcome these challenges. As the product lead for diaphragm seals and accessories, I help customers find the best assembly for their specific needs. Read on to learn: How different industries and instruments define “low pressure” Which assemblies work best with gauges, mechanical switches and sensor-based instruments How assemblies support applications across sanitary, industrial, utility and cryogenic environments — with LNG as a primary example When you are finished, you will know how to ensure accurate measurement and keep your operations running efficiently with the right seal or isolation ring assembly.

Selecting the right process connection for your pressure gauge, switch, or transmitter may seem like a small decision—but it can make the difference between a reliable installation and one that leaks, fails, or requires costly rework. With so many connection options available, it’s easy to feel uncertain about which one is the best fit for your application. That’s where Ashcroft can help. With over a century of experience in pressure instrument manufacturing, we’ve guided countless customers through their connection challenges. Read this article to learn why process connections matter, the different types available, what they’re best suited for and how to select the right one for your system.

This article was originally published on March 21, 2022, and updated on July 9, 2025. As manufacturing and industrial operations have become increasingly automated and reliant on electronic systems for safety, the importance of standardized functional safety measures has grown. Protecting system operators and maintaining safe, reliable processes are now top priorities across all industries. Whether you’re protecting workers from injury, preventing environmental spills or avoiding costly equipment damage, ensuring your pressure instruments are Safety Integrity Level (SIL) certified will play a key role in minimizing risk in your critical process applications. For example, when using pressure switches in your application, you will want to consider the SIL rating of your system or device. As a global expert in pressure and temperature instrumentation, we are often asked to explain the benefits of SIL certification. Read this article to learn more about this safety standard, the organization that created it, where SIL-certified instruments are used and the pressure switches we offer that can help prevent worker injury or damage to your equipment.

This article was originally published on August 15, 2022, and updated on May 19, 2025. Pressure switches are essential components in a wide range of industries and applications. From maintaining safe operation in burners and boiler systems and monitoring hydraulic pressure in industrial machinery, to controlling pump systems in water treatment facilities and ensuring safety in chemical and petrochemical equipment—pressure switches are everywhere. However, be aware that various factors can affect the performance of your pressure switch in certain applications. Selecting the appropriate microswitch is a minor yet crucial step to guarantee consistent and accurate readings. Read this article to learn about the different microswitch options available and the applications for which they are best suited. You will also see links to additional resources that can help deepen your knowledge about pressure switches and how they are used.

This article was originally published on September 26, 2022, and updated on May 8, 2025. In industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing and manufacturing, maintaining precise pressure control is an important factor in ensuring operational safety and efficiency. A pressure switch is an effective solution to help regulate your system, but its effectiveness depends on the mechanics behind these instruments. In this article, we will focus on the term deadband and its role in maintaining pressure accuracy in your applications. With Ashcroft's extensive expertise in pressure instrumentation, you will gain insights into optimizing the usage of pressure switches to ensure your systems run smoothly and safely. When you are finished reading, you will also have access to additional resources to help deepen your knowledge about choosing the right pressure switch for your specific needs.

This article was originally published on July 11, 2022, and updated on April 23, 2025. In operations that involve a risk of fire or explosion, using the wrong pressure instruments can result in severe consequences, including operator injury, equipment damage or worse. To reduce the risk of anything catastrophic happening, pressure switches and other instruments used in these environments must adhere to strict class and division codes. During my extensive career in pressure and temperature measurement, my expertise in this area is a requirement. I write about it often to help others know what to look for when purchasing instruments for their hazardous location applications. Read this article to learn about the different class and division codes and which ones will apply to your specific needs. You will also be directed to additional resources designed to deepen your knowledge even further about pressure instruments and hazardous locations.