Frequently asked questions

Yes. You can use the sensor selector, which asks a few questions about the machine, the signal and the operating conditions and then shows matching products. Alternatively, describe your application in the contact form. Tell us what the machine is, what speed it runs at, where the signal is to go and what the conditions are at the mounting location.

IEPE (Integrated Electronics Piezo-Electric) is a standard for piezoelectric accelerometers with built-in electronics. The sensor is powered with a constant current from the measuring instrument, over the same cable that carries its signal. Its output is an AC vibration signal superimposed on a DC bias voltage. This signal — 100 mV/g as standard — is read by data collectors, analysers and online monitoring systems with an IEPE input.

A 4–20 mA transmitter converts vibration into a single overall value — RMS vibration velocity in mm/s or acceleration in g — over a range chosen when ordering, e.g. 0–25 mm/s. A current of 4 mA corresponds to zero, and 20 mA to the full range. The signal goes directly to an analogue input of a PLC, DCS or SCADA system and is used for trends and alarms, but it does not contain the vibration spectrum.

A sensor with a connector, e.g. M12 or MS, can be disconnected and replaced without running a new cable. An integral cable is connected to the sensor at the factory, so there is no additional connection that is exposed to moisture or can work loose. It is a good choice where there is washdown, flooding or strong vibration. For versions with a cable, you also choose the sheath type: PUR, braided, FR, HFFR or FEP.

Datasheets, manuals and drawings are in the “Documentation” section of each product page. Certificates and the manufacturer’s other documents are collected in the document library in the knowledge base. Most of the manufacturer’s documents are in English, and datasheets are often available in versions with metric and imperial units.

A top exit brings the cable out along the sensor axis and is the most common choice. A side exit has a lower profile and suits tight spaces, locations under guards and places where a protruding cable would be exposed to damage or contamination. Before choosing, check the free space above the measuring point, allowing for the cable bending radius.

Permanent installations use stud mounting: on a flat, spot-faced surface, in a hole perpendicular to it, with a thin layer of coupling grease and a tightening torque as given in the datasheet. Where drilling is not possible, an adhesive mounting pad is used. For periodic measurements, a magnetic mount is used, although it narrows the usable frequency range. Mount the sensor as close to the bearing as possible, on a rigid part of the housing, and always in the same place and direction.

Intrinsically safe versions have the letter “I” in the model designation, e.g. HS-100I or HS-420I/M, and side exit versions have “IS”, e.g. HS-150IS. Versions with a different type of protection have Ex tb or Ex d in their name. In the product specification, check the “Hazardous-area version” and “Approvals and certificates” entries (e.g. ATEX, IECEx); in the documentation, check the datasheet with the full Ex marking and the certificate. Suitability for a specific zone is determined by the marking and the conditions given in the certificate.

No. In the hazardous area, an intrinsically safe sensor operates only in a circuit with associated apparatus — a Zener barrier or a galvanic isolator — whose parameters are compatible with the sensor’s certificate. Each measurement chain requires a separate barrier channel, and the permissible cable length depends on the circuit parameters. The installation should be designed by a person with the appropriate qualifications for installations in Ex zones.

On the product page, add the selected model to your quote request. This way, you can collect many items — sensors, cables and accessories — then set the quantities in the request basket and send the form with your contact details. On this basis, we will prepare a quotation with prices and the delivery time.

No. We prepare prices individually in a quotation for your company, because they depend on the product version, the selected options (e.g. sensitivity, thread or cable length) and the quantity ordered. To find out the prices, send a quote request.

Give the model or part number, the quantity and the required options: sensitivity, mounting thread, cable length and, for 4–20 mA transmitters, the measuring range. A short description of the application also helps: the type of machine and its rotational speed, the temperature and conditions at the mounting location, any Ex zone, and the device that will receive the signal. A complete description lets us prepare a quotation without further questions.