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Triaxial vs single axis accelerometers
- 1. Triaxial Vs SingleAxis Accelerometers
- 2. • Fig.1 Traditional methodsfor taking data using a single channel data collector is to mount the sensor using a magnet in the X, Y and Z axis.
- 3. • Fig.2 Ateach location there is either a mounting pad with a quick fit connector, a screwed mounting pad or a target for a magnet. Screwed connection gives the highest frequency response, followed by glued connections and magnets which offer the lowest frequency response.
- 4. • Fig.3 Themotivator for fitting triaxial sensors is where portable data collectors are used. Instead of having to prepare three sites on each machine, and take three separate site readings and wait for the settling time at each location, one triaxial sensor alone can achieve all three results. In the right application where access is restricted, triaxial sensors can make for a simple install and save valuable time.
- 5. • Fig.4 Datacollectors with 4 channel capability are able to take the signal from each channel of a triaxial accelerometer simultaneously. Since all axis are located at the same point and taken simultaneously, valuable phase information is preserved and can be used in advanced vibration analysis.
- 6. • Fig.5 Vibrationdata can be different depending on where the vibration is measured. The less direct the path between the exciting element (shaft rotating in bearing) the more attenuated the data. This is more of a problem for high frequency data (gear mesh, roller element bearings) than it is for lower frequency data.
- 7. • Fig.6 Inaddition if the bearing case is less stiff or has soft feet then vibration amplitudes maybe distorted or amplified. This is caused by the cantilever effect of having the x axis offset from the axis of excitation.
- 8. • Fig.7 Forpermanently installed systems, the triaxial sensor may provide cost savings for cabling. Installation consists of running only one cable as opposed to three. This maybe significant if the junction box is not located locally.
- 9. • Fig.8 Triaxialsensors are higher cost than three single axis sensors. If local machine topography makes a triaxial attractive then one solution is to mount three single sensors on a triaxial mounting block. As loop powered sensors are never used with data collectors, triaxial 4-20mA sensors are much less relevant. In applications requiring orthogonal mounted sensors a triaxial mounting block can also be used.