Blog

This article was originally published on February 22, 2022, and updated on July 30, 2025. In many systems, especially those involving high pressure or hazardous conditions, pressure gauge failure can have serious consequences, including operator injury and costly equipment damage. Ashcroft has been a leading innovator in pressure measurement for over a century. We’ve engineered gauges to meet the most demanding safety and performance standards across industries, including oil & gas, chemical processing and power generation. It's our job to make sure customers make the most informed decisions when choosing instruments for their specific processes. For instance, while we know there are plenty of applications where open-front pressure gauges are preferred, solid-front gauges have become a common choice for higher-risk operations. Read this article to learn the differences between solid and open front gauge cases and the benefits they each offer so you can decide which one is right for your application.

This article was originally published on March 13, 2019, and updated on July 16, 2025. In many process industries, sudden pressure surges from water hammer, valve closures or equipment malfunctions can cause overpressure events that damage pressure gauges and lead to equipment failure and costly downtime. To reduce this risk, many systems rely on external pressure limiting valves (PLVs), which increase installation complexity and create potential leak paths. Ashcroft offers a smarter solution: pressure gauges with built-in overpressure protection. With over 170 years of innovation behind us, Ashcroft understands the harsh realities of industrial applications and we engineer products that perform in the most extreme conditions. Read this article to learn about two pressure gauges that are designed with XRA Overpressure Protection to handle pressure surges internally, eliminating the need for external components and improving system reliability.

Protect your pressure gauge from the effects of overpressure with Ashcroft’s new option XRA for the 1209 pressure gauge. This 4 ½-in. stainless steel, solid front pressure gauge now offers option XRA to accommodate up to 417% overpressure without damaging the gauge. In applications where pressure spikes, surges and water hammer are a possibility, option XRA reduces the need for an external pressure limiting valve while extending gauge capacity. The 1209 is also available with optional liquid fill or the patented PLUS!™ Performance option to dampen shock, vibration and pulsation. This review will look at the new option for this pressure gauge and how it can provide reliable pressure measurements for your high-pressure application.