Free Engineering Tool — #017
Vibration Sensor Sensitivity Calculator
Calculate sensor output signal voltage from sensitivity and vibration level. Determine dynamic range and maximum measurable amplitude for IEPE accelerometers and velocity sensors.
Results
Output Signal Voltage
Maximum Measurable Level
Common Sensor Types
| Type | Typical Sensitivity | Range | Freq Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| General IEPE accel | 100 mV/g | ±50 g | 0.5–10 kHz |
| Low-frequency accel | 500–1000 mV/g | ±5 g | 0.1–1 kHz |
| Shock accel | 1–10 mV/g | ±500–5000 g | 1–20 kHz |
| Velocity sensor | 4–20 mV/(mm/s) | 0.1–100 mm/s | 1–1 kHz |
Given: Sensitivity = 100 mV/g, Vibration = 5 g pk, Max output = 5 V pk
Vout = 100 × 5 / 1000 = 0.500 V peak
Max level = 5000 / 100 = 50 g peak
Output = 0.5 / 5 × 100 = 10% of full scale
⚠️ Note: Exceeding the maximum output voltage clips the signal, causing distortion. Always verify that expected vibration levels stay within sensor range.
Sensor sensitivity is the ratio of electrical output to mechanical input. For accelerometers, typically in mV/g. Higher sensitivity means larger output signal for the same vibration level but lower maximum measurement range.
Match sensitivity to expected levels and DAQ input range. High sensitivity (500 mV/g) for low vibration; low sensitivity (10 mV/g) for shock/high-g applications. Keep output below max voltage to avoid clipping.
Dynamic range = max signal / noise floor, in dB. For IEPE sensors with ±5V max output and ~1 mV noise, DR ≈ 74 dB. Higher supply voltage and lower noise floor increase dynamic range.
IEPE sensors need constant-current excitation (2–20 mA) at 18–30V DC bias. The AC vibration signal rides on the DC bias. ICP® is PCB Piezotronics' trademark for IEPE technology.
Yes. Sensor sensitivity drifts due to aging, temperature, cable damage, and mechanical shock. Annual calibration is recommended. Typical drift is <1%/year for quality sensors.
The procedures described on this page were developed and field-tested by the Vibromera team using the Balanset-1A, a portable dual-channel balancer and vibration analyzer for on-site rotor balancing.
Professional vibration sensors and analyzers for field measurements. Compatible with standard IEPE sensors. Used in 50+ countries.
Nikolai Shelkovenko
Nikolai Shelkovenko is a vibration analysis engineer and the founder and CEO of Vibromera. For more than 15 years he has balanced rotating equipment in the field rather than on a test bench: mulchers, industrial fans, crushers, centrifuges, shafts and spindles. That work is what the Balanset instruments grew out of — they were designed as a tool a specialist can carry to the machine and use alone, on site, not as laboratory equipment. Vibromera was founded in 2017 and has been based in Porto, Portugal, since 2023. Development, assembly and support of the Balanset line all happen here. The flagship instrument is the Balanset-1A, a portable analyser for single- and two-plane balancing and for vibration diagnostics. Nikolai is personally involved in customer support, in working through difficult balancing cases and in the development of the software. He works with customers worldwide, in any language.
