Principle, function, type and application of wireless vibration accelerometer
After years of development, wireless vibration accelerometers (such as lord G-LINK-200) have become indispensable tools in many fields. Whether in industrial equipment monitoring, building health assessment, or automotive system testing, they play a vital role. Choosing the right wireless vibration accelerometer is crucial to ensuring project success and system stability. This article aims to provide a series of practical wireless vibration accelerometer selection tips and in-depth technical analysis to help users make wise choices when faced with many options. We will start by evaluating application requirements and environmental conditions, and explore in depth how to select the most suitable wireless vibration accelerometer based on specific application scenarios and technical requirements.
Contents of vibration parameter measurement and composition of vibration test system
Vibration test is one of the typical contents of dynamic test, which generally includes the following three aspects.
(1) Testing of vibration parameters of vibration system, including measuring displacement, vibration velocity, vibration acceleration, efficiency and phase of a certain point on the vibrating object, understanding the vibration state of the object under test, assessing the level and finding the vibration source, and monitoring, analyzing, diagnosing and predicting the equipment.
(2) Testing of characteristic parameters of vibration system. Apply a certain exciting force to the object to be tested to make it produce forced vibration, measure the input (excitation) and output (vibration response of the object to be tested), and thus determine the vibration parameters or dynamic performance of the object to be tested, such as natural frequency, damping, stiffness, frequency response and modal parameters.
(3) Mechanical dynamic strength and simulated environmental vibration test, that is, perform routine vibration tests on the equipment under the specified vibration conditions to check the vibration life of the equipment, performance stability, and rationality of design, manufacturing and installation.
Different vibration test systems use different types of vibration accelerometers, such as magnetoelectric velocity sensors with calculus amplifiers for testing; piezoelectric accelerometers with charge amplifiers for vibration parameter testing.
This article only introduces the most commonly used vibration test system consisting of piezoelectric accelerometers and charge amplifiers. The working principle of piezoelectric accelerometers is based on the piezoelectric effect.
1.Tips for choosing wireless vibration accelerometers
（1）Evaluate application requirements and environmental conditions
When choosing a wireless vibration accelerometer, the first thing to consider is the application requirements and environmental conditions. Different application scenarios, such as industrial equipment monitoring, building health assessment, or automotive system testing, have different requirements for sensor performance. At the same time, environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, electromagnetic interference, and installation space limitations will also affect the choice of sensor. Understanding these requirements and conditions helps determine the specific specifications of the required sensor, such as measurement range, accuracy, and wireless communication capabilities.
（2）Understanding key technical parameters
Understanding the key technical parameters of wireless vibration accelerometers is essential for making an informed choice. These parameters include sensitivity, frequency response, measurement range, and accuracy. Sensitivity determines the sensor’s ability to respond to vibration, frequency response indicates the range of vibration frequencies that the sensor can effectively measure, and measurement range and accuracy affect the limits and accuracy of sensor monitoring. Selecting a sensor suitable for a specific application requires careful consideration of these parameters.
(3)Comparing the advantages of different wireless technologies
Different wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or LoRa each have their own characteristics and advantages. Choosing the right wireless technology requires considering communication distance, data transmission rate, energy consumption and network compatibility. For example, for data integration of multiple sensors over a large range, a wireless technology with high transmission rate and long communication distance may be required.
(4)Consider long-term maintenance and operating costs
In addition to the purchase cost, long-term maintenance and operating costs are also important factors to consider when choosing a wireless vibration accelerometer. Long-term costs, including battery replacement frequency, durability, software updates and technical support, may affect the overall return on investment. Choosing sensors that require less maintenance and have long-term reliability can save costs in the long run.
(5)Brand and manufacturer reputation and service
Finally, it is also very important to choose brands and manufacturers with a good market reputation and reliable customer service. Well-known brands usually guarantee the quality and performance of the product, while high-quality customer service can provide the necessary technical support and after-sales service. In the decision-making process, considering the manufacturer’s history, market position and user evaluation can help ensure that you purchase a cost-effective and reliable product.
Users can evaluate application requirements, understand technical parameters, compare wireless technologies, consider long-term costs and choose reliable suppliers according to the actual needs and conditions of the project to purchase suitable wireless vibration accelerometer products.
2.Features and technical specifications of LORD G-LINK-200 wireless vibration accelerometer
(1)Features and advantages of G-LINK-200-8G/40G
The US Lord MicroStrain G-Link-200 is a battery-powered wireless triaxial accelerometer (wireless vibration accelerometer) with a rugged, weather-resistant housing. G-Link-200 provides waveform data with very low noise, making it ideal for vibration, shock, motion, and tilt monitoring applications. In addition, derived vibration parameters can be used for long-term condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. MicroStrain wireless sensor networks can be deployed quickly and provide reliable, lossless data throughput. These networks have proven to be suitable for industries that require extremely high reliability in data acquisition.
(2)G-LINK-200-8G/40G Main Technical Specifications
Sensor
- Integrated three-axis high-performance accelerometer;
- DC to 1KHz bandwidth;
- Adjustable input range:
- ±2/4/8G (G-Link-200-8G)
- ±10/20/40G (G-Link-200-40G);
- Extremely low noise density:
- 25 µg/√Hz (G-Link-200-8G)
- 80 µg/√Hz (G-Link-200-40G);
- Programmable high-pass and low-pass digital filters;
- On-board temperature sensor (+/- 0.25°C);
- Tilt (±1° accuracy, <0.1° accuracy).
Operation
- Adjustable sampling rate up to 4 kHz;
- Continuous, periodic burst or event-triggered operation;
- LXRS protocol allows lossless data acquisition, scalable network size and ±50 µs node synchronization;
- Output acceleration waveform data, tilt and/or derived vibration parameters (velocity, amplitude, crest factor);
- Data logging up to 8 million data points;
- Wireless transmission distance up to 1 km.
Packaging
- IP-67 weatherproof enclosure;
- Stainless steel base;
- ¼ 28 UNF mounting hole or optional magnetic base;
- 3 on-board ½ AA 3.6V LiSOCL2 batteries;
- Operating temperature range -40 to +85 °C.
For more technical parameters of Lord G-LINK-200 wireless three-axis accelerometer, please search [BEST SEIKO TECHNOLOGY] and visit our official website for further details. We have G-LINK-200 in stock.
One article to understand: wireless vibration accelerometer principle, function, type and application
LORD G-LINK-200 three-axis wireless vibration accelerometer III. Working principle of wireless vibration accelerometer
1.Basic principle and sensor components
The core working principle of wireless vibration accelerometer is to measure vibration or acceleration using a built-in accelerometer. These sensors usually contain a mass block, spring system and electronic components to detect and convert mechanical motion into electrical signals. When the sensor is subjected to vibration, the displacement of the mass block changes relative to the fixed part of the sensor, thereby generating an electrical signal. These signals are then processed by the electronic components and transmitted wirelessly to the data receiving system.
2.Application of wireless transmission technology
The wireless transmission technology in wireless vibration accelerometer is one of its core features. These sensors send the collected data to a central database or monitoring system via wireless networks such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or dedicated wireless channels. The application of wireless technology makes sensor installation more flexible and can be easily deployed in various environments without complex wiring, including areas that are difficult to access or inconvenient for maintenance.
3.Signal processing and data conversion
The collected vibration data needs to go through a series of signal processing steps before transmission. This usually includes signal amplification, filtering, and digitization. Amplification is to enhance weak signals, filtering is used to remove noise, and the digitization process converts analog signals into digital formats for easy processing and analysis by electronic devices. These steps ensure that the data output by the sensor is accurate and reliable, providing a solid foundation for subsequent analysis and decision-making.
4.Energy management and battery life
Since wireless vibration acceleration sensors need to run continuously and send data regularly, energy management and battery life become important considerations during design. In order to extend battery life, these sensors are usually designed as low-power devices and may adopt energy-saving modes to enter a dormant state when no important activities are detected. In addition, some sensors may use rechargeable batteries or integrate energy harvesting technology (such as solar energy) to achieve longer operation time and less maintenance requirements.
The above is the working principle of wireless vibration accelerometer, including its basic components, the use of wireless transmission technology, the signal processing process, and energy management strategies.
5. The role of wireless vibration accelerometer
(1)Real-time monitoring and performance evaluation
One of the main functions of wireless vibration accelerometers is to provide real-time monitoring and performance evaluation. These sensors can continuously monitor the vibration levels of equipment and structures to evaluate their performance and health in real time. For example, in industrial equipment, these sensors can monitor the vibration of mechanical equipment in real time to detect and prevent possible failures. In building structures, they can monitor vibrations caused by wind or earthquakes to help evaluate the integrity of the structure.
(2)Preventive maintenance and fault prediction
Wireless vibration accelerometers play a key role in preventive maintenance and fault prediction. By analyzing vibration data, abnormal operation and potential failures of equipment can be detected early, so that preventive measures can be taken to avoid expensive repairs and unexpected downtime. This approach not only extends the service life of equipment, but also significantly reduces maintenance costs.
(3)Safety Enhancement and Risk Management
Wireless vibration accelerometers provide important support in safety and risk management. In critical infrastructure such as bridges, large buildings, and transportation systems, these sensors help ensure the safety and reliability of structures by continuously monitoring vibration levels. By timely detecting potential structural problems, possible disasters can be prevented, thereby protecting public safety and reducing property losses.
(4)Data Analysis and Decision Support
The data collected by wireless vibration accelerometers provides data support for decision-making. Analysis of this data can provide valuable insights into equipment maintenance, structural health, and safety management. This information is essential for planning maintenance activities, formulating safety strategies, and optimizing operational processes. Data-driven decision support improves the efficiency and effectiveness of operations while reducing risks.
By deeply understanding the key role of wireless vibration accelerometers in real-time monitoring, preventive maintenance, safety enhancement, and decision support, users can understand how these sensors can improve efficiency and safety in various applications.
Understand in one article: Principle, function, type and application of wireless vibration accelerometer
LORD G-LINK-200 wireless vibration accelerometer from the United States V. Types of wireless vibration accelerometers
- Piezoelectric sensor
Piezoelectric vibration accelerometers use the piezoelectric effect to measure vibration. These sensors contain piezoelectric materials that generate voltage when vibrated, thereby generating an electrical signal. Piezoelectric sensors are known for their high sensitivity and wide dynamic range, and are particularly suitable for measuring high-frequency vibrations. They are widely used in the monitoring of precision machinery and high-speed rotating equipment.
- Capacitive sensor
Capacitive vibration accelerometers detect vibrations by measuring changes in capacitance. This sensor is usually composed of two conductive plates and a dielectric material. When vibration occurs, the distance between the conductive plates changes, thereby changing the capacitance value. The advantages of capacitive sensors are their stability and low energy consumption, and they are suitable for low to medium frequency vibration monitoring.
- Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor
Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) vibration accelerometer is a sensor that uses a micromechanical structure to measure vibration. MEMS sensors are favored for their miniaturization, low cost, and high integration. These sensors are able to provide good performance and sufficient sensitivity, making them ideal for applications in embedded systems and wearable devices.
- Choose the right type of sensor
Choosing the right type of wireless vibration accelerometer depends on the needs of the specific application. Piezoelectric sensors are suitable for high-frequency vibration measurement, while capacitive sensors are suitable for a wider frequency range. MEMS sensors have advantages in miniaturization and cost. When choosing, vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, environmental conditions, and cost factors should be considered.
The above are different types of wireless vibration accelerometers and their characteristics, which can help users choose the right type of sensor according to specific applications.
5. Application of wireless vibration accelerometers
- Industrial equipment monitoring
Wireless vibration accelerometers play a vital role in industrial equipment monitoring. They are used to monitor the operating status of machines and production lines, including rotating machinery, pumps, and motors. By monitoring the vibration patterns of the equipment in real time, potential failures can be predicted and identified, preventive maintenance can be achieved, downtime can be reduced, and production efficiency and equipment life can be improved.
- Building and structural health monitoring
In the fields of construction and civil engineering, wireless vibration accelerometers are used to monitor the health of bridges, buildings, and other structures. These sensors help engineers assess the integrity and safety of structures, especially when they are affected by wind, earthquakes, or other external forces. In addition, they are also used to monitor vibrations during construction to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
- Automotive and transportation system applications
Wireless vibration accelerometers are widely used in automotive and transportation systems. In the automotive industry, these sensors are used for vehicle dynamic testing and performance monitoring, as well as as part of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). In rail and road traffic management, they are used to monitor the condition of tracks and roads to improve transportation safety and efficiency.
- Medical and health monitoring
In the medical field, wireless vibration accelerometers are used in various health monitoring devices, such as fitness trackers and medical devices. They can monitor and analyze human movements
