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Whether you use industrial storage tanks for harvesting rainwater, providing municipal drinking water, irrigating fields, emergency fire suppression, or other purposes, you know how important it is to maintain accurate tank level pressure. One reliable solution is a pressure switch. This instrument is known for its accuracy, repeatability and versatility in water level management applications in water treatment systems, bubblers, scrubbers, and more. But how do they work? Ashcroft has been manufacturing pressure switches for decades and understands the unique challenges of pressurized tank systems. In this article, you will see how a pressure switch works and learn how multiple tank levels can be monitored and controlled using one or more pressure switch connections. When you are done reading, you will also find additional resources to answer other switch-related questions you may have.

A pressure switch is a control device that senses changes in pressure and mechanically opens and closes an electrical circuit at a pre-determined point. Unlike other pressure instruments like pressure gauges and pressure sensors that measure and monitor pressure, switches are a bit more complicated. Ashcroft is an industry leader in pressure measurement instrumentation and created this article to provide a basic foundation of information about switches for the industry novice. Read on to learn about the different types of pressure switches, common applications, how they operate, key terms, switch accuracy, activation methods and more. When you’re done reading, you will also find additional resources about switches that may interest you.

If you work in an industry that relies on pressure switches or temperature switches you know that these small devices play a big role in making sure your applications run smoothly and efficiently. But at what price? The short answer is between $50 - $1500. Not helpful, I know. But, if you Google how much these instruments cost, you will be hard-pressed to find an accurate answer. The reason is simple. There are so many factors that go into the price of a switch, it’s nearly impossible to provide any kind of estimate without knowing your specific requirements. As a product manager for industrial switches at Ashcroft – a recognized global leader in temperature and pressure instrumentation - I can help you get closer to a more precise answer. However, keep in mind, this topic covers a lot of ground. So, for the purposes of this article, we will focus on pressure and temperature switches used in industrial applications. When you’re done reading, you will be able to validate the price range you are currently paying. You will also know what to expect if you are searching for a new supplier. Finally, you will be more prepared to make a pressure switch or temperature switch purchasing decision, whether you work with Ashcroft or not.