Shock accelerometers are specifically designed to withstand and measure extreme, high-amplitude, short-duration, transient accelerations. Such accelerations characteristically exceed the 1000 g boundary imposed on typical accelerometer designs. Shock acceleration events may reach 100,000 g or more with pulse durations of less than 10 microseconds. The extremely fast transient and volatile nature of a shock event imposes special demands on the design of a shock accelerometer.

PCB® shock accelerometers represent extensive research in materials, assembly techniques, and testing techniques to ensure survivability and faithful representation of the shock event. An automated Hopkinson Bar Calibration Station is utilized to evaluate shock sensor performance by simulating actual, high amplitude measurement conditions. This investment allows PCB® to assess and improve upon individual sensor characteristics, such as zero shift, ringing, and non-linearity.

Shear mode quartz and ceramic sensing elements are used in shock accelerometer designs to minimize the effects of base strain and thermal transients. Ceramic elements yield a smaller, lighter weight sensor with higher amplitude range and frequency limits. Quartz elements offer a wider operating temperature, thereby allowing for a more general purpose measurement device. Built-in signal conditioning circuitry permit these ICP® sensors to operate from constant-current signal conditioners for reliable operation and simplicity of use. The addition of mechanical and electrical filtering, in some designs, assists in resonance suppression to eliminate high-frequency “ringing” in the output signal.

A general purpose charge mode unit is available for systems employing external charge amplifiers and where adjustability through a wide measurement range is desired, such as with near- and far-field pyroshock testing.