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Whether you are measuring low-pressure airflow in a critical environment, high-pressure mobile hydraulics in OEM applications, or even ultra-high purity gases in semiconductor manufacturing, you are likely relying on a pressure transducer to keep your system running safely and efficiently. In each of these instances, the challenge is selecting the best transducer for the specific application, especially when there are so many options available to you. Ashcroft and its parent company Nagano Keiki Co. LTD have a proven track record of reliability and excellence in pressure measurement instrumentation. All the sensing technologies discussed in this article have been designed and manufactured by Ashcroft along with Nagano Keiki, allowing us to control the performance, cost and lead time of our pressure sensors. Read this article to learn what sets Ashcroft pressure transducers apart from the competition and why our company is the best choice for customers in many industries around the globe. You will also gain access to other valuable insights and resources to enhance your understanding of these instruments and their functionality. When you are done reading this article, you will be in a better position to take the next step in your purchasing decision.

Pressure transducers are important instruments that are used to measure air, gas or liquid pressure in many industrial applications. They work by measuring pressure at various stages of a process and converting the measurement into an electrical signal, which is used to monitor and control the overall system. Ashcroft has been making pressure transducers for decades and one question we are often asked is whether these instruments can be installed in any orientation. While the short answer is “yes, they can,” there are factors to consider before you install your transducers. Read this article to learn how transducers work, the effect that changing the orientation may have on the instrument’s accuracy and how position errors can be fixed. You will also be directed to additional resources that can help answer other common questions about pressure transducers.

If you work in an industry that involves hydrogen, or other volatile substances, you understand the dangers that you and your team face daily. But do you know that any equipment used in these environments (aka hazardous locations) must meet certain requirements and be designed to help contain or prevent a fire or explosion from occurring in the first place? For example, certain pressure sensors like the E2F Flameproof and E2S Intrinsically Safe pressure transducers are built to withstand or prevent explosions and fires in hazardous locations. This makes them effective options for managing pressure in complex industrial applications. Ashcroft is a recognized leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation and has been for more than a century and a half. In my role as product leader, I am familiar with the complex nature of hydrogen and have been educating customers on how to select the best sensors to meet the stringent quality and safety requirements for highly combustible environments. This article will explain the factors and classifications of a hazardous location, the product certifications that are required for use in these environments and the solutions available to help keep you and your team safe. When you are done reading this article, you will have a better understanding of what type of pressure transducer you will need for your application and be ready to take the next step in your purchasing decision.

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.

This article was originally published on August 9, 2021, and was updated on June 5, 2023. The semiconductor industry affects nearly every aspect of our lives today. Your cell phone, computer, television, car and any other electronic device you use each day all depend on semiconductor applications to exist. But these demanding applications require specialized high-purity equipment and instruments to run safely, efficiently and properly. Pressure transducers (and pressure transmitters but for simplification in this article I will refer to them as "pressure transducers") are crucial to the semiconductor process, but only if they are manufactured a certain way to handle hazardous environments. How do you know what makes the best semiconductor pressure transducer?