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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.