General Purpose Piezoelectric Accelerometers
Piezoelectric accelerometers offer tremendous versatility for shock and vibration measurements. These rugged sensors can withstand adverse environmental conditions.
A wide variety of configurations are available to support multiple application requirements. Specialty units are also available through mechanical or electrical design modifications or additional qualification testing.
There are two broad categories for piezoelectric accelerometers – those that contain built-in signal conditioning electronics (ICP type, voltage mode) and those that do not (Charge Mode).
Generally, ICP accelerometers are preferred, due to ease of use, easier data system calibration setup, and lower system cost. ICP accelerometers normally come in one of two sensitivities. Those, being 10 mV/g (+/- 500g) or 100 mV/g (+/- 50g) ranges.
Charge Output accelerometers are typically used in high temperature environments, which would otherwise destroy the electrical components contained in an ICP type accelerometer.