Guides & articles

Longer reads that connect the dots between the calculators — the concepts, the field practice, and the mistakes to avoid.

9 min read

Tank Volume Calculation: Heads, Dip Charts and Why Your Numbers Disagree

Why head geometry changes tank capacity by 10-15%, how partial volumes work in dished ends, and what a strapping table actually is.
10 min read

Hazardous Area Classification for Instrument Engineers

Zones, gas groups, temperature classes and protection concepts explained — plus how to read an Ex marking and confirm equipment suits its location.
9 min read

Control Valve Characteristics: Why Equal Percentage Usually Wins

Inherent versus installed characteristics, valve authority, and how trim choice determines whether a loop tunes easily or hunts forever.
8 min read

Zero Suppression vs Zero Elevation: The Difference That Trips Everyone Up

The clearest explanation of suppression and elevation in DP level measurement: which side the extra head sits on, which way the range moves, and how to spot the error.
10 min read

Why Your Flow Meter Reads Wrong: A Troubleshooting Guide

Nine causes of flow measurement error, from square root extraction applied twice to insufficient straight run — with the check that identifies each one.
9 min read

Cable Sizing for Instrument and Motor Circuits

The three independent checks every cable must pass — ampacity with derating, voltage drop and protection coordination — plus why instrument cable follows different rules.
9 min read

Steam Fundamentals for Instrument Engineers

Why steam pressure is temperature, what latent heat means for sizing, and how saturation properties drive control valve and measurement decisions.
8 min read

Control Valve Sizing Explained (Without the Black Box)

What Cv really means, the liquid sizing equation, choosing pressure drop, oversizing traps and valve margin — with linked calculators.
8 min read

Understanding Instrument Accuracy Specs

Percent of span vs percent of reading, composite calibrator specs, turndown effects and test uncertainty ratios — decoding datasheet accuracy claims.
7 min read

Gas Flow Measurement: Actual vs Standard Explained

Why gas flow needs a reference condition, the gas-law correction, Nm3 vs Sm3 conventions, and which meters read actual vs standard flow.
9 min read

The Complete Guide to 4–20 mA Current Loops

How 4-20 mA loops work: the live zero, scaling math, loop power, NAMUR fault signals, square root extraction and calibration — with linked calculators.
8 min read

RTD vs Thermocouple: How to Choose

Accuracy, range, speed, wiring and drift compared — a practical decision guide for choosing between RTDs and thermocouples, with conversion calculators.
9 min read

DP Level Measurement Explained: Open and Closed Tanks

How differential pressure level measurement works: hydrostatic head, zero suppression and elevation, dry and wet legs, density effects and ranging examples.
10 min read

How to Calibrate a Pressure Transmitter, Step by Step

A bench-ready pressure transmitter calibration procedure: equipment and TUR, test points, as-found/as-left data, error evaluation and documentation.