The Ashcroft Ordering Handbook

Ashcroft, Inc. manufactures a wide variety of electronic and mechanical pressure and temperature instruments are produced in this facility under the brand names of Ashcroft^®, Heise^®and Weksler^®. Ashcroft products are recognized as best-in-class for pressure and temperature measurement, including gauges, thermometers, switches, transducers, transmitters, instrument isolators and diaphragm seals and control and calibration equipment.

The Product Ordering Handbook includes descriptions, part numbers, and specifications for all Ashcroft products.

Download the Ashcroft Ordering Handbook from the M.S. Jacobs web site here.

Industrial Pressure and Temperature Switch Operating Basics

Internal view of pressure switch.
(Ashcroft)

A pressure switch is a mechanical device that detects the presence of fluid (gas or liquid) pressure. Pressure switches use a variety of sensing elements to convert pressure changes to linear movement. These sensors are known as diaphragms, bellows, bourdon tubes, and pistons. The movement of these sensors, caused by pressure fluctuation, is transferred linearly through a rod or piston to a set of electrical contacts to open or close a circuit.

The opening and closing of the electrical circuit is done through electrical contacts. These electrical contacts are most often enclosed in their own housing in an assembly known as a microswitch. These contacts in the pressure switch are associated with the terms "normal", as in "normally open" or "normally closed". The normal status of a switch is the resting state with stimulation. A pressure switch will be in its normal status when it senses low or minimum pressure. For a pressure switch, normal status is any fluid pressure below the trip threshold of the switch.

Switch Status Symbols

Some of the earliest and most common designs of pressure switch was combining the bourdon tube pressure sensor with mercury switch. A bourdon tube is basically a curved tube that flexes straight when pressure is applied. The bourdon tube's flex is amplified through gearing and made significant enough to tilt the glass bulb of the mercury switch so that the mercury flows over the electrical contacts, thus completing the circuit.  Many of these pressure switches were sold on steam boilers. While they became a de facto standard, they were sensitive to vibration and breakage of the mercury bulb and resulting mercury contamination.

Explosion proof pressure switch.
(Ashcroft)

Another common design feature pressure switches use is referred to as force-balanced pressure sensors.  This design operates by countering the force provided by the pressure-sensing element with a mechanical spring. The system remains static until the pressure-vs-spring balance is overcome. Once the sensor pressure exceeds the spring tension, movement occurs and the electrical switch state is changed. In this design, the tension on the spring may be adjusted to set the tripping point, thus providing an adjustable setpoint.

Deadband or (reset pressure differential) is one of the most important application considerations when applying a pressure switch. This setting determines the amount of pressure change required to reset the switch to its normal state after it has tripped.  The differential pressure of a pressure switch should not to be confused with differential pressure switch, which actually measures the difference in pressure between two separate pressure ports.

Temperature switch
(Ashcroft)

Temperature switches operate on exactly the same principle, but use the concept of thermal expansion, instead of direct pressure sensing, to create the the movement required to change the electrical contact status. In the enclosed thermal sensor (referred to as the bulb, or bulb and capillary), the liquid enclosed in the system expands and contracts in relation to temperature change. That expansion and contraction is then converted to linear movement,  and then used to open and close an electrical circuit.

There are many, very important details that need to be considered when selecting and applying pressure and temperature switches. You must consider the electrical requirements (volts, amps, AC or DC), the area classification (hazardous, non-hazardous, general purpose, water-tight), pressure sensing range, temperature range, and material compatibility. It's highly recommended you consult with a process instrumentation expert for assistance.

Electronic Pressure Switches

Electronic pressure switch in NEMA 4 enclosure.
Image courtesy of Ashcroft

A pressure switch is a device that detects and responds to fluid pressure. Pressure switches use a variety of sensing elements such as diaphragms, bellows, bourdon tubes, pistons or electronic sensors. In all but the electronic sensor versions, the movement of the sensing element, caused by pressure fluctuation, is transferred to a set of electrical contacts to open or close a circuit. Electronic pressure switches utilize a sensor signal and circuitry to control switch activation.

The normal status of a switch is the resting state with stimulation. A pressure switch will be in its normal state when low or minimum pressure is applied. For a pressure switch, normal status is any fluid pressure below the trip threshold of the switch.

One of the earliest and most common designs of pressure switch was the bourdon tube pressure sensor with a mercury switch. When pressure is applied, the bourdon tube flexes enough to tilt the glass bulb of the mercury switch so that the mercury flows over the electrical contacts, thus completing the circuit. the glass bulb tilts far enough to cause the mercury to fall against a pair of electrodes, thus completing an electrical circuit. Many of these pressure switches were sold on steam boilers. While they became a de facto standard, they were sensitive to vibration and breakage of the mercury bulb.

Pressure switches using micro type electrical switches and force-balanced pressure sensors is another common design. The force provided by the pressure-sensing element against a mechanical spring is balanced until one overcomes the other. The tension on the spring may be adjusted to set the tripping point, thus providing an adjustable setpoint.

One of the criteria of any pressure switch is the deadband or (reset pressure differential). This setting determines the amount of pressure change required to re-set the switch to its normal state after it has tripped. The differential pressure setting of a pressure switch should not to be confused with a differential pressure switch, which actually operates on the difference in pressure between two separate pressure input ports.

Electronic pressure switches provide some features which generally are considered advantageous to mechanical designs.

• No mechanical linkage between sensing element and switch, all electronic.
• High cycle rates are possible.
• High levels of accuracy and repeatability.
• Some models have additional features, analog output, digital display, auxiliary switches, and more.

When selecting pressure switches you must consider the electrical requirements (volts, amps, AC or DC), the area classification (hazardous, non-hazardous, general purpose, water-tight), pressure sensing range, body materials that will be exposed to ambient contaminants, and wetted materials.

Whatever your pressure measurement application, share your challenges with a fluid measurement and control specialist, combining your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Electronic Pressure Switch for Industrial Applications from MSJacobs-Cali