Accelerometers & Piezo Velocity Sensors

Industrial Accelerometers in biaxial & triaxial case designs, temperature range of -58F to 325F (-50 to 162C). Top and side exit configuration available were height is an issue. Sensitivity ranges from 10mV/g to 1000mV/g. Hazardous Area sensors also available.

What are accelerometers?

An accelerometer is a sensor that measures acceleration — the rate of change of velocity of an object. It detects how quickly an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction.

  • Working Principle: Often based on piezoelectric, capacitive, or MEMS technology, accelerometers sense forces acting on a mass inside the sensor.
  • Output: Provides data on acceleration, which can be used to infer velocity and displacement through integration.
  • Applications: Used in smartphones, automotive airbag systems, vibration monitoring, inertial navigation, and structural health monitoring.

What are Piezo Velocity Sensors?

A piezo velocity sensor specifically measures the velocity of vibration or movement, typically using the piezoelectric effect.

  • Working Principle: When the sensor experiences vibration, the piezoelectric material generates an electrical charge proportional to the velocity of the vibration.
  • Output: Produces a voltage signal proportional to the velocity of the vibrating surface.
  • Applications: Commonly used in machinery condition monitoring, vibration analysis, and predictive maintenance to detect imbalances, misalignments, or bearing faults.