What is Vibration Sensor : Key Features & Top Manufacturers

A vibration sensor is an electronic device that detects and measures mechanical vibrations, oscillations, and movement in equipment and structures. These sensors are widely used in predictive maintenance, industrial automation, automotive systems, aerospace applications, machinery monitoring, and condition-based maintenance programs.

Key features

• Vibration sensors are used to measure, display, and analyze frequency, displacement, velocity, or acceleration. They respond to repetitive mechanical motion.
• Their contacts are normally open and close when subjected to vibration within their designed frequency range.
• Mechanical sensors or switches that respond to displacement are best suited for low-frequency vibrations.
• Piezoelectric sensors are sensitive to acceleration and are best suited for high-frequency vibrations.
• Accelerometers measure acceleration to determine vibration.
• Proximity sensors are non-contacting sensors that measure the distance from a target. They are used in rotating machinery to measure shaft vibration.

• Vibration sensors are used in various applications to prevent further damage in the event of vibrations. They are also used as shock sensors.
• There are various types of vibration sensors, including pin and spring type, piezoelectric type, piezoresistive type, chip-based piezoelectric, mousetrap, magnetic, mercury, accelerometer, velocity, and proximity types.

Vibration Sensor Features

The following are the features of a vibration sensor (Model: LDT0-028K) from Measurement Specialties Inc., a division of TE Connectivity: It comprises a 28 µm thick piezoelectric PVDF polymer film with screen-printed silver ink electrodes, laminated to a 0.125 mm polyester substrate, and fitted with two crimped contacts.

• It withstands high impact.
• It is used for various applications, including washing machines, low-power wake-up switches, car alarms, low-cost vibration sensing, body movement, and security systems.
• It offers sensitivity from 50 mV/g to 800 mV/g.

Vibration Sensor Manufacturers

The following table lists popular vibration sensor manufacturers and vendors:

Vibration sensor Manufacturers	Description
TE Connectivity	• Model: LDT0-028K (Piezoelectric strip) • Features as mentioned above
Elecrow Technology (Chinese supplier)	• Models: SW-18015P, SW-420 • Vibration sensor module (Pin and Spring Type) • 3-Axis Accelerometer ( Model: ADXL335 ) • MEMS accelerometer with low power consumption (350 µA) • 10,000 g shock survival • Can be interfaced with ADC of microcontroller.
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.	• Model : PKGS-00GXP1-R , Series: PKGS • Functions as shock sensor (Chip based Piezoelectric vibration sensor) • G Sensitivity :0.35 pC/G • Resonance frequency : 31 KHz • Detection angle: 0 degree
Hansford Sensors	• Model: HS-429 • Functions as vibration switch or Vibration Trip • Frequency response: 10 Hz to 1 KHz • Maximum shock : 100 g • MTBF: 510 years
General Electric	• Model: Nevada 3300 XL Series • Functions as proximity sensor

Summary

A vibration sensor measures mechanical movement and vibration levels for monitoring and diagnostics. Leading manufacturers provide vibration sensing solutions for industrial machinery, automotive systems, aerospace, and predictive maintenance applications.