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?

Your pressure transducer can be used in a variety of applications, many of which are exposed to the elements. Rain, snow, wind and sunlight can all have an impact on your pressure instrument if you don’t have the right equipment for the job. Using the correct electrical connector for your pressure transducer can ensure that your equipment keeps running even when impacted by the environment. But how do you choose the best electrical connector for your application? This article will discuss the factors to consider when selecting an electrical connector for a transducer that can stand up to the environmental impacts of your application.

Pressure transducers used in the semiconductor industry need to be designed and manufactured with materials that can prevent contamination in your process, and also handle corrosive liquids or gases in certain applications such as cleaning equipment and wet stations. Ashcroft has recently released the ZL95 fluoropolymer pressure transducer with a 4-digit LED display, specially made for corrosive environments. The PTFE/PFA wetted parts provide extended cycle life and corrosion resistance. This review will look at the features of this pressure transducer and how it can provide reliable pressure measurements for your semiconductor application.

If you work in the semiconductor industry, you know that there are applications that require specialized equipment to handle corrosive liquids or gases, such as cleaning and wet etching. These processes use corrosive chemicals and ultra-high purity water. Chip manufacturers need to control these liquids accurately. The pressure transducer used must be anti-corrosive, low metal ion elusion and, of course, accurate. When your semiconductor process requires pressure measurement, you need the best instruments for the job.