Accelerometers provide essential monitoring of wind turbines

Condition monitoring specialist Sensonics offers its established range of PZS accelerometers, providing an easy-to-use and cost-effective solution ideal for power generation applications including wind turbines.

Safety-critical industries depend on effective and reliable vibration monitoring systems which are crucial in the early detection of warning signs and its essential these issues are detected at the earliest opportunity. Without adequate monitoring the consequences could be catastrophic, especially in power generation applications such as wind turbines. Accelerometers are an essential component in effective vibration condition monitoring systems as they can detect vibration on a range of rotating machines.

The proven shear mode construction of the Sensonics PZS accelerometers has proven ideal for the expansion of wind turbines along with their capability of providing a frequency response down to 0.1Hz. This ensures effective monitoring of both the wind turbine main shaft and input gearbox bearings below rotational speeds of 20RPM, an important requirement for wind turbine condition monitoring systems.

The PZS accelerometer response is suitable for measuring vibration across the full wind turbine machine train. This is not only for the low frequency front end, but also the planetary gearbox stages and generator, providing an upper frequency response in excess of 10kHz.

The shear mode sensor is electrically and thermally isolated from the main accelerometer housing, minimising the effect of electrical interference on the measured signal and the impact of thermal changes. These issues can result in base strain effects and are critical to the successful implementation of low frequency accelerometers.

PZS Accelerometers are available in straight and side exit mechanical configurations with mounting threads to suite most applications and are supplied with either a 2-pin connector or integral cable, offering protection up to IP68.