Essential Sensor Cabling and Mounting Tips

Issue #99, December 2015

December is here, and with it, comes preparation for the dawn of a new year. Each year our internal team participates in audits and proficiency testing to ensure the quality of our measurements. With this in mind, we bring to you several topics on testing considerations for both sensor cabling and mounting. The end of the year is a great time to take a few moments to refresh existing skills to guarantee a successful future.

Next month, we will be sharing a milestone with you - The 100th Issue of Dynamic Sensors and Calibration Tips! We are grateful to be part of your monthly reading. In January, we look forward to discussing with you the past, present and future of sensing technology. Join us in the new year to learn more!

How to Avoid Sensor Cabling Problems

By PCB Piezotronics

There are two primary causes of problems with sensor cabling - connecting the sensor to the cable and cable strain relief. In this short video, learn how to avoid problems with intermittent sensor signals and cable failures.

Click to watch the video

Blast from the Past:

Characterizing Accelerometer Mounting

We often get asked the question, "How do I mount a triaxial accelerometer to calibrate the (in plane) X and Y axes, when there is only a single Z axis mounting hole?" Clearly the Z axis stud mount poses no problems, but questions follow such as, "Can I adhesively mount it on the cap or case?" or "Why can't I get my accelerometer to pass in the off axes direction?" Our answer is always the engineering favorite, "Well... it depends." Lets take a look at the problems in a little more detail...

Click to read the full article

Tip of the Month:

Calibration Mounting with Silicon Grease versus Super Glue...

For 1 g calibration of smaller adhesive mount sensors, like the common piezoelectric tear drop accelerometers, try simply using silicon grease electrical compound instead of cyanoacrylate super glue. This grease - the same used as a couplant to supplement a stud mount - provides exceptionally strong perpendicular adhesion between two finely-machined surfaces, yet slides right off side-to-side. If the adhesive mount sensor has minimal transverse load accentuating any shaker transverse motion (big, bulky cables can be a problem here), then the grease bond provides excellent calibration results to very high frequencies (> 10 kHz). And... no tough cyanoacrylate glue to break free and clean off!

Thanks for joining us for another issue of Dynamic Sensors & Calibration Tips. As always, please speak up and let us know what you like. We appreciate all feedback: positive, critical or otherwise. Take care!