Steps to selecting the right accelerometer

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Steps to selecting the right accelerometer

At first look, an accelerometer manufacturer’s catalog or web

site can be intimidating to both the novice and often the more
experienced user. Accelerometers are offered in a variety of
technologies, shapes, sizes, ranges, etc.

This article will provide a trail that the user can follow that will
lead to the optimum accelerometer for the application.

Technology selection narrow bandwidth and outstanding temperature stability.

The first step in the selection process is to determine the These devices are highly desirable for measuring low
type of measurement to be made. The measurement type frequency vibration, motion and steady state acceleration.
will be the first step in the technology selection. There
are three widely used technologies used for acceleration Type of measurement
measurements. In this section, the basic measurement types will be
described and then, later in this article, more detail will
Piezoelectric (PE) accelerometers are the most widely used be provided. For the purposes of this article, acceleration
accelerometers for test and measurement applications. measurements will be divided into the following categories:
These devices offer a very wide measurement frequency
range (a few Hz to 30 kHz) and are available in a wide Vibration: An object is said to vibrate when it executes an
range of sensitivities, weights, sizes and shapes. These oscillatory motion about a position of equilibrium. Vibration
accelerometers should be considered for both shock and is found in the transportation and aerospace environments
vibration measurements. PE accelerometers are available or as simulated by a shaker system.
with a charge or voltage (IEPE) output, discussed later in
this article. Shock: A sudden transient excitation of a structure that
generally excites the structure’s resonances.
Piezoresistive (PR) accelerometers generally have low
sensitivity making them desirable for shock Motion: For the purpose of this article, motion is a slow
measurements. They are also used extensively in moving event such as the movement of a robotic arm or an
transportation crash tests. Because of the low sensitivity, automotive suspension measurement.
they are being used less for vibration measurements. PR
accelerometers generally have a wide bandwidth and the Seismic: This is more of a motion or a low frequency
frequency response goes down to zero Hz (often called vibration. This measurement usually requires a specialized
“DC responding”) or steady state, so they can measure low noise–high resolution accelerometer.
long duration transients.
Once the measurement type is determined, the reader can
Variable capacitance (VC) is among the newer accelerometer go directly to the measurement section (in this article) of
technologies. Like PR accelerometers, they are DC interest, or review the different measurement types.
responding. VC accelerometers have high sensitivities, a
General considerations IEPE piezoelectric
Prior to going into the technologies and applications, here In recent years, the IEPE type has become the most
are a few general considerations. commonly used accelerometer type. IEPE sensors are
often sold under different trade marked names, but all
The frequency response is an important parameter when virtually comply with a pseudo industry standard and are
considering any accelerometer. This parameter is usually interchangeable between brand names.
specified within ±5% of the reference frequency (usually
100 Hz). Many devices will have the specifications extended Basically, an IEPE accelerometer is a device with the
to ±1 dB and in some cases ±3 dB. Most data sheets will charge amplifier built-into the accelerometer. They require
have a typical frequency response curve to assist the user. no external charge amplifiers and use ordinary low cost
The frequency range will usually be determined by the test cable. The accelerometer does require a constant current
specifications or as determined by the user. power source and many data acquisition systems have
built-in power sources. If the user knows the vibration
Another consideration is the number of axes to be range and the operating temperature is in the range of
measured. Accelerometers are available in single and -55˚C (-67˚F) to 125˚C (257˚F) then an IEPE device should
triaxial (see Figure 1) versions. Another approach to be considered. Note that high temperature versions are
making a three axis measurement is to mount three available in some models that have a maximum operating
accelerometers on a triaxial mounting block. Both methods temperature of 175˚C (350˚F).
allow for the measurement of three orthogonal axes
simultaneously. Charge mode piezoelectric
Charge mode piezoelectric accelerometer advantages
include high temperature operation and an extremely wide
amplitude range. A typical charge mode accelerometer
will have an operating temperature range of -55˚C to
288˚C (-67˚ to 550˚F). Special purpose accelerometers
are available for extreme environments as low as -269˚C
(-452˚F) to as high as 760˚C (1400˚F). Special radiation
hardened charge mode accelerometers are available for
use in a nuclear environment.
Figure 1 A miniature triaxial accelerometer that incorporates three
accelerometers in a single package for the measurement of three Unlike the IEPE accelerometer, the charge type
orthogonal axes simultaneously.
accelerometer requires the use of special low noise cable.
The low noise cable is expensive compared to the standard
Vibration commercial coaxial cable. A charge amplifier, or an in-line
Piezoelectric accelerometers are the first choice for most charge converter is also required.
vibration measurements since they have a wide frequency
response, good sensitivity and resolution and are easy Variable capacitance
to install. There are two subdivisions of piezoelectric In instances where vibration measurements at very low
accelerometers which include the basic charge-mode frequencies are required, a variable capacitance (VC)
accelerometer and the voltage mode Internal Electronic accelerometer is a choice to consider. VC accelerometers
Piezoelectric (IEPE) types. have a frequency response from 0 Hz to 1 kHz, depending
on the sensitivity required. When making very low
frequency measurements, a VC accelerometer with a Automotive crash testing is a rather specialized area of
frequency range from 0 Hz to 15 Hz will provide a high shock testing. Piezoresistive accelerometers are usually
sensitivity of 1 Volt/g. VC accelerometers are useful on used (see Figure 3).
electro hydraulic shakers, flutter measurements and many
transportation applications.

Figure 3 Automotive crash test accelerometer shown in an industry

standard package.

For far field shock measurements, a special shear mode

Figure 2 Variable capacitance accelerometer shown with a popular accelerometer with a built-in electronic filter is often
mounting configuration. Models are available with a 10-32 stud mount.
adequate. These are usually lightweight IEPE types with
solder connections. The electronic filter electronically
Shock attenuates the resonance frequency of the accelerometer
Two technologies are available for shock measurements to prevent overloading of the data acquisition equipment.
and a variety of accelerometers are available depending on
the levels and final data required. It is important to know Near field measurements are usually very high levels often
the expected shock level, since this will determine the type in excess of 20 000 g. Here the choice of accelerometers
of accelerometer to be used. Here is a rough guide to assist is dependent upon the type of test being conducted.
the reader in choosing the proper accelerometer. Specialized accelerometers of either piezoelectric (charge
mode and IEPE) or piezoresistive may be appropriate.
• Low level < 500 g Typically, an IEPE with characteristics similar to the far-
• Crash < 2000 g field accelerometer is appropriate, but with the addition
• Far field 500 g to 1000 g sensor located 2 meters of an internal mechanical filter. The mechanical filter
from the point of impact will ensure the survivability of the accelerometer and will
• Near field > 5000 g with the sensor located < 1 meter generally eliminate “zeroshift”.
from the point of impact

For low-level shock measurements, a general purpose

accelerometer will generally do the job. The accelerometer
will need a linear range of at least 500 g and a shock
survivability rating of 500 g. An IEPE type is usually
preferred since they are less susceptible to producing
erroneous results from cable motion. The user should
use an amplifier with a low-pass filter to attenuate the Figure 4 Example of a near field shock accelerometer with built-in
mechanical filter and rugged ¼-28 mounting stud
accelerometer resonance.
.
A detailed discussion of zeroshift is beyond the scope of Environment
this article. In general terms, the zeroshift phenomenon Once the technology has been selected and the test type
appears with the time history not returning to the zero determined, there are a number of other factors to be
acceleration level following the shock event. This shifting considered. As a starting point, the environment is to be
results in distortion of data when performing integration. If considered.
a piezoresistive accelerometer is selected, zeroshift is rare.
The environmental characteristics include temperature,
As is the case with vibration, the frequency response is maximum acceleration levels and humidity.
an important parameter for shock. In general, a shock
accelerometer should have a wide frequency response Below is a table, showing typical values to assist with
range (10 kHz is typical), depending on what is being tested. temperature selection:

Motion, constant acceleration and Technology Temperature range Comments

Piezoelectric - general -55 °C to 260°C The range is extended
low frequency vibration in some cases
This category is where variable capacitance (VC) Piezoelectric- -55 °C to 650°C Special high temperature
high temperature accelerometers
accelerometers should be considered. This technology
Cryogenic piezoelectric -184°C to 177°C
allows for the measurement of low level, low frequency IEPE general types -55 °C to 125°C
vibration with a high output level. They also provide a high IEPE high temperature -55 °C to 175°C

degree of stability over a broad temperature range. Piezoresistive -55 °C to 66°C

When a VC accelerometer is placed in a position where The specified g range is often confusing to the new
the sensitive axis is parallel to the earth’s gravity, an accelerometer user since this parameter appears twice
output equal to 1 g will be produced. This phenomenon in the specifications. The actual usable range, of the
is often referred to as “DC responding”. Because of this accelerometer is found in the dynamic specifications. For
characteristic, VC accelerometers are very useful for example, an IEPE accelerometer might have a “Range” of
measuring centrifugal force or for the measurement of 500 g, and, under the environmental characteristics the
acceleration and deceleration of devices such as elevators. device has a shock limit of 1000 g and a shock limit of 2000
g. In the above example, 500 g is the maximum range of
In the realm of vibration testing, VC accelerometers are linear operation of the accelerometer. The parameters
used in applications where low frequency events are to be specified in the environmental section are indicative of the
studied and preservation of phase data is important. maximum survivable shock and/or sine acceleration levels.

VC accelerometers have found their niche in the area of In the case of charge mode piezoelectric devices, a range
aircraft flutter testing. They are also valuable tools for is not specified under the dynamic characteristics since
measuring vehicular ride quality. it is largely determined by the charge amplifier. The user
should refer to the amplitude linearity specifications, in
The low frequency characteristics make VC accelerometers the dynamic characteristics section of the data sheet. As
ideal for ride quality measurements in automobiles, trucks above, the maximum range specified in the environmental
and railroad equipment. These are low frequency devices characteristics section is a maximum survivability figure.
and a wideband frequency response is not a characteristic
of VC devices. The humidity specification is usually given as “Hermetic”,
“Epoxy seal”, or “Environmental seal”. Most of these seals
will withstand high levels of moisture. If the accelerometer Mounting
is being used in the space environment, underwater or There are a number of ways to mount an accelerometer to
very long exposures to excessive humidity, an hermetic the unit under test (UUT). Methods include everything from
seal is recommended. It should be noted that continuous permanent mounting to temporary methods. This article
temperature cycling can make an epoxy seal fail. will discuss the most common mounting methods.

If accelerometers are designed to operate within a nuclear By far the best mounting method is the use of a
radiation environment, the data sheets will so indicate. threaded stud, or screw. Stud/screw mounting provides
the best transmissibility at high frequencies since the
Magnetic susceptibility is seldom specified since it is accelerometer is virtually fused to the mounting surface.
usually not a problem with newer accelerometers. Non- High frequency response can be enhanced by the
magnetic materials are used in modern accelerometers application of light oil between the accelerometer and
thus reducing this problem. UUT. If this method of mounting is desired, accelerometers
should be purchased that are designed for stud and/or
If the accelerometer is going to be mounted on a highly screw mounting.
flexible surface, the base strain specification becomes
important. A flexile surface tends to bend inducing strain on Adhesive mounting is often required, especially on small
the accelerometers base. The resulting strain can appear surfaces and PC boards. A cyanoacrylate is the preferred
as vibration in the accelerometer’s output. mounting adhesive since it can be easily removed if the
proper removal techniques are used. The user has a couple
Accelerometer weight of accelerometer choices for adhesive mounting. Many
When an accelerometer is attached to the test article, the accelerometers are available that are specifically designed
measured acceleration will be altered. These effects can for adhesive mounting and this fact will be noted on the
be reduced to an insignificant amount by being mindful of data sheet. A stud-mount accelerometer may be mounted
the accelerometer’s weight. As a rule-of-thumb, the weight using an adhesive, but a cementing stud should be used
of the accelerometer should be no greater than 10% of the to prevent the adhesive from damaging to the
weight of the test article. accelerometer’s threads.

Ground isolation
Accelerometers are available with ground isolation or
with the ground connected to the accelerometers case.
Accelerometers with ground isolation usually have an
isolated mounting base and, where applicable, an isolated
mounting screw, or in some cases the entire accelerometer
case is ground isolated.

Figure 5 Shown on the left is a popular side connector accelerometer Ground isolation becomes important when the test
that weighs 7.8 grams and is used on heavy test articles. The unit on
articles surface is conductive and at ground potential. A
the right is a miniature accelerometer that weighs 0.5 grams that can
be mounted on lightweight structures and PC boards. difference in ground voltage levels between the electronic
instrumentation and the accelerometer may cause a
ground loop resulting in erroneous data.
Sensitivity and resolution Other considerations
An accelerometer is a transduction device that converts The above information will help the potential user to make
mechanical energy into an electrical signal (the output). a preliminary decision as to which accelerometers can
The output is expressed in terms of millivolts per g, or in potentially perform the measurement task. There are
the case of a charge mode accelerometer the output is other parameters that are equally important that should be
expressed in terms of pC per g. Accelerometers are offered discussed with potential suppliers. These important items
in a wide range of sensitivities and the optimum sensitivity may include:
is dependent on the level of the signal to be measured
e.g., in the case of a high g shock test, low sensitivity is • Signal conditioning and powering
desirable. • Transverse sensitivity
• Temperature response
In the case of low level signals, it is desirable to use an • Cable types
accelerometer of high sensitivity in order to provide an
output signal well above the amplifier’s noise level. For It is recommended that once the questions in this
example, suppose the expected vibration level is 0.1 g article have been answered, further discussion with the
and the accelerometer has a sensitivity of 10 mV/g, then manufacturer is recommended.
the voltage level of the signal would 1 mV, thus a higher
sensitivity accelerometer may be desirable.

In the instance where either a low level signal and/or a

wide dynamic range is required, then the accelerometer’s
resolution and sensitivity become important.

Resolution is related to the accelerometers minimum

discernable signal. This parameter is based on the noise
floor of the accelerometer (and in the case of an IEPE type,
the internal electronics) expressed in terms of g rms.

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