Sealed accelerometer raises reeliability

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 7, 2008

The 787F accelerometer's integral cable is permanently mounted, eliminating a common concern that contaminants can penetrate the connector.

Wilcoxon Research has developed a new side-exit low-profile accelerometer with an integral cable.

The 787F is the integral cable version of Wilcoxon's extremely popular 787A side-exit general-purpose sensor with a permanent Viton boot and Teflon jacketed cable to provide protection in the harshest environments.

The 787F accelerometer's integral cable is permanently mounted, eliminating a common concern that contaminants can penetrate the connector.

Dirt, oil, grease, water, dust, and other contaminants found in harsh industrial environments can cause an electrical short, erratic or erroneous readings, and corrosion.

In addition to improving sensor reliability, the 787F's integral cable eliminates concern about the connector backing off the sensor.

Connection integrity is critical for inaccessible sensor locations such as inside a gearbox, machine tool monitoring and underwater applications like vibration monitoring inside tanks or on submersible pumps.

The low profile sensor is designed with a side exit connector and captive screw for easy installation in confined areas.

The integral cable 787F uses the same rugged, dependable construction methods as the 786F top exit integral cable sensor, which has demonstrated superior reliability.

With fully welded construction, the sensor is truly hermetically sealed.

This provides superior protection from harsh operating conditions with exposure to various chemical, slurry spray and highly corrosive compounds, especially at high temperatures, for significantly improved longevity and reliability of the sensor.

"Wilcoxon has offered this product as a custom sensor for years to meet the needs of our innovative customers", says Tom Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

"The low profile accelerometer with integral cable is a common request".

"By making this a standard product, we can provide customers the sensor that they need in Wilcoxon's industry-best lead times".

Specifications are as follows: sensitivity, 100mV/g; acceleration range, 80g peak; amplitude nonlinearity, 1%; frequency response, 1.0-5000Hz (+/-10%) and 0.7-10,000Hz (+/-3dB); cable length, 5-30m standard J9T2A cable with steel overbraid or armoured cable optional; temperature range, -50 to +120C; height, 31.24mm with cable exiting the side.

The 787F is electrostatic discharge (ESD), electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) protected, which is very important around variable frequency drives, high energy switching circuits, and radio frequency transmitters.

The 787F joins Wilcoxon's family of 100mV/g general-purpose accelerometers.

It is ideal for condition based monitoring and predictive maintenance programmes where the sensor is mounted to machinery in a wet, dirty or harsh environment, or in an inaccessible location.

The accelerometer is suited to vibration monitoring of fans, motors, pumps, blowers, compressors, chillers, gearboxes, and mixers, as well as many other industrial applications, to significantly reduce failure rates in the field.