Is Your Ashcroft Pressure Gauge Off Zero? Here's Why and How to Fix It

New, open front stainless steel dry or liquid-filled pressure gauges straight out of the box can surprise you with a pointer that is off zero. This may lead you to think that the gauge is defective.

In fact it may just be that the pressure trapped inside the gauge case is higher or lower than the surrounding atmosphere.

Most Ashcroft open front gauges are equipped with a top vent plug. This permits you to open the gauge case allowing the inside and outside pressures to equalize.

Venting or burping gauges with ranges 200 psi and above should not be required.

Before installation, stand the gauge upright to eliminate gravitational effect on the bourdon tube and pointer. 

Make sure to prevent fluid leakage if the gauge is liquid filled.

Locate the pop-up plug on top and simply pull up the blue stopper.

To prevent inaccuracy due to zero offset in dry areas, the vent plug can be left open, however this practice should be limited to dry areas because it will lower the ingress rating to IP54 and risk water infiltrating the gauge.

Ashcroft pressure gauges come in various sizes, accuracies, and range from 0 – 10 in. H2O through 0-100,000 psi. Choices include differential pressure gauges, test gauges, sanitary gauges, high-purity gauges, subsea gauges, digital pressure gauges, OEM pressure gauges, and more. Ashcroft pressure gauges are known for high quality and reliability and are available to fit nearly any budget and application requirement.

For more information about Ashcroft products, contact Swanson Flo. Call 800-288-7926 or visit https://swansonflo.com.

This Memorial Day Weekend, Honor and Remember

O-Ring Style Stem Seal Sanitary Process Control Valves for Cosmetic, Dairy and Food and Beverage Industries

The Steriflow FBCV O-Ring Series meets the rigid specifications for sanitary process control valves for customers who prefer an O-ring style stem seal. This valve series is suitable for various cosmetic, dairy, and food and beverage industries. Conforming to 3A guidelines, the FBCV is ideal for a wide range of flowing media in sanitary systems' utility and process areas.

The FBCV-OR's high rangeability, characterized trim, high capacities, superior temperature and pressure ratings, and a selection of sealing methods make the sanitary control valve ideal for liquid, gas, and steam services. Whether the need is to control pressure, temperature, flow, pH, or another variable, the FBCV is the correct valve for your process.

For more information, contact Swansonflo. Call 800-288-7926 or visit https://swansonflo.com.

The RealStream™ Lift Station Solution

The RealStream™ Lift Station solution is a fully configurable lift station controller and display that enables monitoring and control of lift stations leveraging the Schneider Electric SCADAPack™ E Smart RTU technology. The RealStream™ supports the control of up to four pumps. This easy-to-deploy solution allows standardization of collection network assets and can improve the equipment's visibility and life. The RealStream™ Solution includes a RealStream Lift Station Controller and a Graphic Display Terminal.

LEARN MORE AT SWANSONFLO.COM/REALSTREAM

Swanson Flo High Purity Valves, Instruments & Process Equipment

Swanson Flo maintains our position as an industry leader in high purity valves and instrumentation by partnering with the world's top manufacturers and satisfying customers with unmatched project success.

Swanson Flo
https://swansonflo.com
800-288-7926

Swanson Flo - An Industry Leader in Process Automation with a Long History of Unmatched Project Success

Founded in 1960, Swanson Flo has long maintained our position as an industry leader in process automation with unmatched project success leveraging industry preferred products and services.

Our team of skilled experts is uniquely equipped to rapidly apply resources and skills for the maximum benefit of our clients. We continue to adapt new technologies and solutions to build solid client partnerships.

Our mission is to provide innovative process control solutions for engineers, managers and maintenance professionals through quality equipment and experienced application engineering. These efforts combined with excellent aftermarket service yield reduced operating costs and improved production.

1960 Thomas B Swanson Co.
Tom B. Swanson saw a need for innovative technical products for industrial applications that was being underserved by the large PVF wholesale houses.  Tom started a rep company focusing on new specialty and engineered products.

1974 Swanson Flo-Systems Co.
Tom Swanson and his business partner, Dick Westphal, saw that industrial processes were changing from manual operation to automated systems and solutions to improve quality and gain efficiencies.  This forward thinking and vision inspired a new business model of actuation and fabrication to service their customers’ needs, providing automated solutions, while providing a high degree of technical support and customer focus.

1989 Evolution of Swanson Flo Systems
Expands our integration of products by adding control valves and specialty valves to their quality, technical product offering.

1991 Tom Howe acquired Thomas B Swanson equity.
Tom Howe and Dick Westphal continue to serve their customers with a vision to provide full control loop solutions and application engineering experience to the growing market by integrating our products to help customers develop more efficient, productive, and profitable process solutions.

1992 - Acquired Control Dynamics, Co.
The acquisition of Control Dynamics Co. added experienced personnel and additional instrumentation lines including Foxboro and Badger Meter Co. This addition allowed Swanson to provide experienced, technical personnel to assist in the evaluation, specification and application of valves and instrumentation for projects and customer needs.

2001 – Acquired Power Supply and Engineering Co.
Swanson Flo acquires PSE adding Ashcroft instrumentation and additional technical salespeople.

2001 – Acquired Limitorque Actuation Line
Swanson Flo continues their commitment to customers by adding an expanded automation offering with Limitorque.  This acquisition created a shift to incorporating services to our product portfolio.  Additional square footage was added to handle the services requirement.  Expanding in-house repair and field service, and remanufacture electric actuators across the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, and Western Wisconsin. 

2002 - Acquired Process Sales Inc., Wisconsin
Swanson Flo expands eastward into Wisconsin.  Adding Masoneilan Control Valves and Foxboro Instrumentation to the entire state.

2005 - Launched BioFuels Automation Co.
BioFuels Automation becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Swanson Flo launching the first exclusive renewable fuels focused automation company to serve this rapidly growing industry.  Providing a complete solution for automating newly constructed ethanol plants for the future.

2007 - Acquired Failsafe Company
Swanson Flo expands into more quality technical products and experienced people for Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

2013 - Acquired Valves and Automation Inc.
Swanson Flo adds Limitorque Electric Actuation across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, with an expansive shop to repair, assemble and remanufacture electric actuators. 

2014 - Acquired Process Sales Inc.
Swanson Flo expands with Masoneilan Control Valves and Foxboro Instrumentation across Upper Illinois and Indiana with full control valve service, repair, and assembly facility.

2016 - Acquired Tech Sales and Marketing - Indiana
Swanson Flo grows in Indiana with additional lines and technical salespeople focused on quality products and customer service.

2021 – Swanson Flo is acquired by MCE to continue to service our customers with an extended offering of highly-engineered, technical solutions by providing leading process control products and services.

For Immediate Release: Motion & Control Enterprises acquires Swanson Flo

Acquisition Extends Offering of Highly-Engineered, Technical Solutions Offering by Providing Leading Flow Control Products and Services

With its second acquisition in the last month, Motion & Control Enterprises (“MCE”) announced on Feb. 4th that it has acquired Swanson Flo, Co. (“Swanson Flo”), a regional distributor of process instrumentation, flow control valves, actuators, and related equipment. Swanson Flo also provides critical value-added services including actuated valve assemblies, field services and shop repairs.

Based in Plymouth, MN, Swanson Flo employs 92 associates, servicing industrial and municipal markets in 13 states in the upper Midwest and beyond. That company has 4 warehouse locations in Plymouth, MN; Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL and Indianapolis, IN. As a division of MCE, Swanson Flo will continue to operate under the Swanson Flo name with the same leadership team, employees, and suppliers.

“The addition of Swanson Flo extends our offering of highly-engineered, technical solutions offering by providing leading flow control products and services”, said Charles Hale, Chairman & CEO of MCE. “Swanson Flo brings longstanding customer relationships and supplier partnerships, plus a highly regarded team of flow control experts. We welcome the Swanson Flo team to MCE and are looking forward to accelerated growth and continuing to bring innovative solutions to our customers.”

“The Swanson Flo team is excited to join with MCE”, said Tom Howe, CEO, and majority owner of Swanson Flo. “Our teams share a similar philosophy of providing the customer with a wide range of technical products, services and solutions. Together, we will be even better positioned to meet the ever-increasing needs of our customers and principals. With Swanson Flo’s leadership, locations and team members remaining intact, we look forward to a seamless transition.”

About Motion & Control Enterprises

Founded in 1951, MCE is a leading supplier of technical fluid power and lubrication solutions that solve customer problems across fluid connector, hydraulic, pneumatic, filtration, compressed air and lubrication technologies. The company services more than 15,000 MRO and OEM customers from 9 distribution centers and 16 retail locations across PA, MI, IN, IL, OH and WI. For more information, please visit www.mceautomation.com.

MCE is majority owned by Frontenac, a Chicago-based private equity firm that invests in middle market buyout transactions in the consumer, industrial and services markets. For more information, please visit www.frontenac.com.

About Swanson Flo

Founded in 1960, Swanson Flo provides innovative process and flow control solutions through quality equipment, experienced application expertise and a full suite of lifecycle services. For more information, please visit www.swansonflo.com.