Ashcroft

Ashcroft was founded in 1852 by Edward Ashcroft with a focus on building more reliable pressure instruments for workers operating steam-powered equipment, at a time when instrument failures could be dangerous. The company has been headquartered in Stratford, Connecticut since 1951 and has operated continuously for over 170 years.

Ashcroft became part of Nagano Keiki Co. Ltd of Japan in 2006, while continuing to manufacture and support its instrument lines from the United States.

Product Lines

Ashcroft's catalog centers on pressure gauges spanning a wide range of sizes, materials, and accuracy classes, alongside pressure transducers and transmitters covering gauge, sealed, absolute, and compound pressure measurement types.

The temperature side of the line includes bimetal thermometers, RTDs, thermocouples, and thermowells, while pressure and temperature switches round out the offering for equipment that needs to trigger an action at a set operating limit. Test and calibration equipment, including hand pump controllers and test gauges, supports technicians who need to verify the accuracy of field instruments.

Why Contractors Specify Ashcroft

Pressure gauges and switches sit at points in HVAC, plumbing, and industrial systems where an inaccurate reading can mask a developing problem, so contractors specifying instrumentation tend to favor a brand with a long, documented track record.

Ashcroft's history includes early innovations such as the first phenolic gauge housing and an early accuracy-class test gauge, developments that reflect a long-running focus on accuracy and durability rather than recent market entry. Manufacturing under ISO 9001 certified processes gives contractors and engineers a consistent basis for specifying Ashcroft instruments on jobs where documentation and repeatable quality matter, such as boiler rooms, process piping, and commercial mechanical systems.

How to Choose Ashcroft Products

Selecting a pressure gauge starts with matching the expected system pressure to a gauge range that keeps normal operating pressure within the middle portion of the dial, since gauges read most accurately and last longest when not run at the extremes of their range. Accuracy class matters more for test and calibration work than for general system monitoring, where a standard commercial grade gauge is typically sufficient.

For systems requiring an electronic signal rather than a visual readout, a transducer or transmitter is the appropriate choice, with the specific type, gauge, sealed, absolute, or compound, depending on what the pressure is being measured relative to. Switches should be selected based on the setpoint needed and whether the application calls for a pressure limit, a temperature limit, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the right pressure range chosen for an Ashcroft gauge?

The general guideline is to select a gauge range where normal system operating pressure falls near the middle of the dial, which improves reading accuracy and extends the gauge's working life compared to operating near the outer edge of its range.

What is the difference between an Ashcroft pressure transducer and a pressure transmitter?

Transducers and transmitters both convert pressure into an electronic signal, with the specific output type, current, voltage, or another signal format, determining which is the correct fit for a given control system.

When should a pressure switch be used instead of a gauge?

A pressure switch is used when a system needs to automatically trigger an action, such as shutting down equipment or sounding an alarm, at a specific pressure setpoint, rather than simply displaying a reading for a technician to monitor.

What types of pressure measurement do Ashcroft transducers cover?

Ashcroft transducers are available in gauge, sealed, absolute, and compound configurations, covering the different ways pressure can be measured relative to atmospheric pressure or a sealed reference.

Are Ashcroft instruments suitable for calibration and test work?

Ashcroft manufactures dedicated test gauges, hand pump controllers, and calibration equipment designed specifically for verifying the accuracy of other pressure instruments in the field.