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This article was originally published on March 21, 2022, and updated on July 9, 2025. As manufacturing and industrial operations have become increasingly automated and reliant on electronic systems for safety, the importance of standardized functional safety measures has grown. Protecting system operators and maintaining safe, reliable processes are now top priorities across all industries. Whether you’re protecting workers from injury, preventing environmental spills or avoiding costly equipment damage, ensuring your pressure instruments are Safety Integrity Level (SIL) certified will play a key role in minimizing risk in your critical process applications. For example, when using pressure switches in your application, you will want to consider the SIL rating of your system or device. As a global expert in pressure and temperature instrumentation, we are often asked to explain the benefits of SIL certification. Read this article to learn more about this safety standard, the organization that created it, where SIL-certified instruments are used and the pressure switches we offer that can help prevent worker injury or damage to your equipment.

This blog was originally published on November 1, 2021, and updated on June 18, 2022. Finding an economically priced pressure gauge that is built to perform in harsh applications like hydrogen refueling, natural gas processing and sanitary systems, reliability, compatibility and safety matter more than ever. For over 170 years, Ashcroft has been a trusted source of pressure and temperature instrumentation, offering solutions engineered for the world’s most challenging environments. The Ashcroft® 8008S Pressure Gauge is no exception. Read on to explore the key features, materials, industries and applications for this compact, high-performance pressure gauge. When you are done reading, you will know if this pressure gauge it’s the right fit for your system.

This article was originally published on August 30, 2021, and updated on December 2, 2024. Your pressure gauge performs an important role in your application by providing pressure measurement which allows for precise system monitoring and control. However, your entire process can come to an abrupt halt if it stops working. And, if you replace it with the wrong gauge, it can cost you time, money and the safety of your personnel. Replacing your pressure gauge with the most suitable match will ensure that your process can keep operating safely and efficiently. But how can you identify your existing gauge and obtain the proper replacement? At Ashcroft, our product and sales teams are confronted with this question almost every day, so this article will outline the many ways to identify your gauge and find a suitable replacement. When you're done reading, you'll have a better understanding of what you need to know about your pressure gauge before you replace it. Plus, you will have links to other resources that can help you get the best option for your needs.

This article was originally published on March 28, 2022. and updated on November 6, 2024. In industries such as manufacturing, food processing, chemical production, HVAC and more, maintaining precise temperature measurement is important to ensure product quality and safety. Bimetal thermometers address challenging environments by providing accurate and reliable temperature readings that are necessary to protect your product, your process and your operators. But how do you determine the best bimetal thermometer for your specific application? As the product manager for temperature products at Ashcroft, a leader in pressure and temperature instrumentation, I can guide you through the selection process. Read this article to learn more about the functions and applications of bimetal thermometers and the key considerations to help you choose a high-quality option tailored to your requirements. I will also share some additional resources that can answer other questions you may have about these instruments.

Pressure gauges play a vital role in the operations of various manufacturing industries, offering valuable insights into processes and serving as an early warning system for potential issues. From detecting pressure spikes that could indicate blockages to identifying pressure drops signaling leaks, these instruments are essential. Many mechanical pressure gauges share the same fundamental components — including a flexible measuring element known as a Bourdon tube. So the challenge is selecting the right gauge for your specific needs. Seeking guidance from experts is a smart initial step in this decision-making process. Ashcroft is a trusted name in pressure measurement instrumentation with a rich history that dates back to 1852. In this article, you will discover what sets Ashcroft pressure gauges apart and why they are a preferred choice for customers across different industry sectors. You will also get access to additional resources and information that will help deepen your knowledge about how these instruments work.

If you are having difficulty understanding the differences between the Buy American Act (BAA) and Build America Buy America Act (BABAA), and how to ensure you comply with their requirements, you are not alone. Similar names and overlapping purposes make it easy to be confused about which law applies to you and how to ensure the products you purchase are in compliance with the law. As a global manufacturer of industrial pressure and temperature instrumentation for industries serving customers in the United States, Ashcroft understands how these laws affect our company and our customers. To help guide you, we’ve compiled a list of some of our customers’ frequently asked questions and documented our responses in this article. Read on for a high-level review of the BAA Act and BABAA Act, including similarities and differences between, the considerations for purchasing products for use in U.S.-based projects and how Ashcroft can help you find pressure and temperature instrumentation that meet your specific needs.