Vibration Sensor: Basics, Features, and Manufacturers

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This page covers vibration sensor basics and features, and lists vibration sensor manufacturers and vendors.

What is a Vibration Sensor?

  • Vibration sensors are used to measure, display, and analyze frequency, displacement, velocity, or acceleration. They respond to repetitive mechanical motion.
  • Their contacts are normally open and close when subjected to vibration within their designed frequency range.
  • Mechanical sensors or switches that respond to displacement are best suited for low-frequency vibrations.
  • Piezoelectric sensors are sensitive to acceleration and are best suited for high-frequency vibrations.
  • Accelerometers measure acceleration to determine vibration.
  • Proximity sensors are non-contacting sensors that measure the distance from a target. They are used in rotating machinery to measure shaft vibration.

Piezoelectric vibration sensor

  • Vibration sensors are used in various applications to prevent further damage in the event of vibrations. They are also used as shock sensors.
  • There are various types of vibration sensors, including pin and spring type, piezoelectric type, piezoresistive type, chip-based piezoelectric, mousetrap, magnetic, mercury, accelerometer, velocity, and proximity types.

Vibration Sensor Features

The following are the features of a vibration sensor (Model: LDT0-028K) from Measurement Specialties Inc., a division of TE Connectivity: It comprises a 28 µm thick piezoelectric PVDF polymer film with screen-printed silver ink electrodes, laminated to a 0.125 mm polyester substrate, and fitted with two crimped contacts.

  • It withstands high impact.
  • It is used for various applications, including washing machines, low-power wake-up switches, car alarms, low-cost vibration sensing, body movement, and security systems.
  • It offers sensitivity from 50 mV/g to 800 mV/g.

Vibration Sensor Manufacturers

The following table lists popular vibration sensor manufacturers and vendors:

Vibration sensor ManufacturersDescription
TE Connectivity• Model: LDT0-028K (Piezoelectric strip) • Features as mentioned above
Elecrow Technology (Chinese supplier)• Models: SW-18015P, SW-420 • Vibration sensor module (Pin and Spring Type) • 3-Axis Accelerometer ( Model: ADXL335 ) • MEMS accelerometer with low power consumption (350 µA) • 10,000 g shock survival • Can be interfaced with ADC of microcontroller.
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.• Model : PKGS-00GXP1-R , Series: PKGS • Functions as shock sensor (Chip based Piezoelectric vibration sensor) • G Sensitivity :0.35 pC/G • Resonance frequency : 31 KHz • Detection angle: 0 degree
Hansford Sensors• Model: HS-429 • Functions as vibration switch or Vibration Trip • Frequency response: 10 Hz to 1 KHz • Maximum shock : 100 g • MTBF: 510 years
General Electric• Model: Nevada 3300 XL Series • Functions as proximity sensor

Accelerometer Types: A Comprehensive Comparison

Explore the differences between Piezoelectric, Piezoresistive, Capacitive, and Servo accelerometers, including their working principles, advantages, and disadvantages.

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piezoelectric
Accelerometer: Advantages and Disadvantages

Accelerometer: Advantages and Disadvantages

Explore the pros and cons of accelerometer sensors, covering their working principle, benefits like high sensitivity, and drawbacks like temperature sensitivity.

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measurement