Equipment sensivity

[Mpino]

Hi all:
I want to ask if i can use an accelerometer with a different sensivity than original, and if yes, do i have to make any correction, how?
Thanks and luck

 

[Tmoose]

To use any output but volts the calibration or sensitivity must be known, and entered into the instrument setup(assuming mv/g) . To change the setup or configuration the instrument must be known. Some instruments have built in help of varying degrees of usefulness.

 

[GregLocock]

If you have a chare coupled device it's in pC/g typically, and you dial it in on the charge amp.

More generally, yes, you can use different sensitivities, but if you use a different model of accelerometer then it may have a different noise floor, max output, frequency response, and of course mass.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[SomptingGuy]

In addition to Greg's comments, it's typical (and sensible) to have your accelerometers calibrated every once in a while. Even a set of nomonally identical accelerometers will show a small spread of sensitivities. And they do drift over time too.

 

[Rob45]

Much depends on what you're using the accelerometer for;
if you're simnply trying to identify resonances, for example, actual amplitudes aren't particularly important, are they?

In which case, accelerometer calibration isn't particularly important either.