Safety-critical industries depend on effective and reliable vibration monitoring solutions, to ensure that warning signs of a problem are detected at the earliest opportunity. Without adequate monitoring, the consequences could be catastrophic, particularly in industries such as nuclear power generation and oil and gas production.
In this article, we will explore what accelerometers are and how they can benefit your business.
What Is An Accelerometer?
An accelerometer is a device that measures vibration, either in metres per second squared (m/s²) or in G-forces (g). If the output of an accelerometer is voltage, this would be expressed as millivolts per g (mV/g), with the most common sensitivity being 100mV/g.
Most accelerometers provide an output that is measured by a monitoring system. The output may be recorded or re-transmitted to a separate recorder.
What Are The Advantages Of Accelerometers?
Accelerometers are essential in effective vibration condition monitoring systems as they can detect vibration on a range of rotating machines while being easy to use and cost-effective. Accelerometers have a significant impact on the quality of data, so selecting the right accelerometer offers the best chance to optimise the vibration measurement channels’ signal-to-noise ratio.
The advantages of accelerometers include:
- Simple interface.
- Robust, rugged design for use in challenging environments.
- High-frequency
- In-built signal conditioning to measure the charge output from the high impedance accelerometer.
The Sensonics Range Of Accelerometers
At Sensonics, we manufacture a range of piezo-electric accelerometers, as well as piezo-electric velocity transducers, which integrate the acceleration signal with a velocity vibration signal. Both types can be fitted with additional circuitry to provide a direct 4-20mA output for lower-cost, simpler sensing solutions.
To find out more, please download our free Vibration Monitoring Systems Guide or call our expert team on 01442 876833.
