Accelerometers Are Shock Resistant To 2,000g

Inertial Aerosystems has announced a range of rugged, low-cost, triaxial analogue accelerometers manufactured by US-based Silicon Designs. The 2470 range consists of seven models that cover DC and dynamic accelerations from +/-2g to +/-200g full scale. The accelerometers use established MEMS technology and have a temperature range of -55C to 110C. They incorporate three orthogonal mounted accelerometers, with each axis independently powered.

The unit is enclosed in a rugged, lightweight, epoxy-sealed anodised case. Inside is a circuit assembly on a flexible board to help withstand shock and vibration. The devices feature low noise, 0.5 per cent linearity and a power range of 8V to 32V DC. These modules are tailored for zero to medium frequency applications, while onboard voltage regulation and an internal voltage reference eliminate the need for precision power supplies. The range is relatively insensitive to temperature changes and gradients.

The 2470 comes with a 1m eight-wire cable and is able to drive up to 15m of additional cable. These products are suitable for use in tough environments where space and weight are at a premium. They are shock resistant to 2,000g (0.1ms). Applications include crash testing, vibration monitoring and analysis, model analysis, robotics, flight testing, machine control and instrumentation.

Sherborne Launches A545 Linear Accelerometers

Sherborne Sensors has introduced the A545 range of single, biaxial and triaxial solid-state linear accelerometers, designed to measure acceleration and deceleration in harsh environments. Available in ranges from +/-2G to +/-500G, A545 series accelerometers feature an advanced MEMS sensor, incorporating air damping.

Unlike fluid-damped devices, air damping is essentially independent of temperature, which enables the transducer to perform over a wide temperature range. Sensors are fully compensated for temperature effects on both sensitivity and zero, and incorporate positive mechanical stops. Housed within a lightweight (less than 40g), durable light alloy package with solder pin connectors, the A545 series provides shock resistance and over-ranging protection.

The A545 series is designed to operate from an unregulated DC power source and have useable frequency responses from DC to several kHz. Typical applications for the A545 series include data acquisition systems, crash testing, fatigue life monitoring and prediction, low-frequency vibration analysis and structural surveying. Custom designed units can also be manufactured and tested to conform to specific requirements.

All A545 series accelerometers are 100 per cent tested and calibrated at the factory prior to shipment, and are accompanied by a two-year warranty. A545 accelerometers are also part of the Sherborne Sensors 'guaranteed on-time delivery' programme. The A545 series accelerometers are ISO9001: 2000 certified and are backed by applications engineering support, global technical sales presence, repair, refurbishment and calibration services.

Accelerometers Obtain Hazardous-Area Certification

Wilcoxon Research has announced an additional intrinsically safe certification in accordance with IECEx requirements for six general-purpose accelerometers. The six accelerometers were approved for use in Class I Zone 0 hazardous areas. Tom Smith, vice-president of sales and marketing, said: 'These vibration sensors were previously approved as intrinsically safe by certifying agencies recognised in the US, Canada and Europe.

'Condition monitoring is growing in popularity across the world and the IECEx certification will help us better serve customers in other regions,' he added. Six general-purpose accelerometers, with a sensitivity of 100mV/g and a +5 per cent sensitivity tolerance, were certified as intrinsically safe in accordance with the requirements of the IECEx standards. The standard top-exit model is the 786A-IS.

The standard side-exit model is the 787A-IS, which is also available with a metric M8 mounting stud (model 787A-M8-IS). The 780A-IS is a compact sensor. The integral cable model is the 786F-IS. The 786T-IS is a dual-output model that senses both vibration and temperature. The six general-purpose accelerometers are suitable for the industrial machinery health monitoring of rotating equipment such as motors, pumps, fans, compressors, vibrating conveyors, chillers, gearboxes, reciprocating compressors, blowers, cooling towers, mixers, turbines and centrifuges.

These types of machinery are typically found in hazardous-area locations common to industries such as petrochemical, oil and gas, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, pulp and paper, wastewater treatment, nuclear power and power generation. The IECEx standards are recognised by most industrialised countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Serbia, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the US.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) publishes the IECEx scheme, a set of standards that specifies requirements for both hazardous-area electrical equipment and requirements for the quality system of manufacturers of hazardous-area electrical equipment.

Certification organisations perform the testing and qualifications required by the IECEx scheme. Wilcoxon sensors were tested to the IEC requirements by Kema and have been certified by Sira to meet the quality system requirements of the IECEx scheme. The company also offers other accelerometers and 4-20mA sensors certified to be intrinsically safe, explosion proof and approved for use in Class I Division 2 (Zone 2) environments.