To allow IEPE (integrated electronic piezoelectric) sensors to be used with data acquisition devices with 1MΩ BNC inputs, Pico Technology has created the TA487 IEPE Signal Conditioner.
Integrated Electronics Piezo-Electric is a technical standard for piezoelectric sensors that include built-in active impedance conversion (often a FET) to push sensed signals through long cables.
Such sensors are used in automotive, medical and aerospace industries, for example, to measure acceleration, force, pressure, audio vibration and other metrics.
It is generally applicable to all IEPE sensors and 1MΩ BNC instruments, said the company, pointing out that its own TA095 accelerometer and its range of PicoScope oscilloscopes are suitable (left).
“TA487 provides the necessary constant current source and signal conditioning to both power the IEPE sensor and ac couple the signal into the measurement device,” according to Pico. “Using the TA487 is as simple as connecting an IEPE sensor and the included USB cable to the TA487, and attaching it to a PicoScope or 1 MΩ BNC oscilloscope to capture data from the sensor.”
Bandwidth is 0.1Hz to 30kHz (-3dB) and signal gain is 1:1 with ±1% accuracy and <60μVrms noise.
It takes 5V power (<100mA) though a USB mini B and delivers 4mA ±5% constant current to the transducer at up to 28V ±3%.
It can be used with instruments of >1MΩ input impedance, but its nominal 1.85s discharge time constant will increase and its low-frequency response will change.
Operation is over 0 to 40°C, and the unit is 76 x 30 x 15mm and 30g.
