Accuracy of Vibration Sensors

Vibration Sensors have an output proportional to underlying vibration. This output is reported in terms of its sensitivity.

When someone uses an accelerometer that has an output or sensitivity of 100 mV/g, this means that the sensor is providing a signal of 100 mV strength in response to an underlying vibration of 1 g.

This output or sensitivity is linear for the most part within the frequency response window of a sensor. However, it is not always DOT 100 mV/g. The sensitivity varies and can vary up to 5 to 10% both ways (plus and minus). This variation is also called the Accuracy of the Sensor. A more accurate sensor will have a lesser variation of say +/- 5%, whereas normally used vibration sensors will have a variation or Accuracy of +/- 10%.

So, the next time you buy a sensor and it reads 100 mV/g +/- 10%, it means that you can expect the sensor output to be anywhere between 90 mV and 110 mV for 1 g of Vibration.

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