Bently Nevada Releases Guide on Industrial Sensor Selection

Within the steel behemoths of industrial machinery, subtle vibrations can signal catastrophic failures. Capturing these silent warnings with precision is critical to ensuring operational safety and reliability. Bently Nevada,, leverages its deep expertise in vibration monitoring to deliver high-performance acceleration and velocity sensors, providing robust condition monitoring solutions for industrial equipment. This article explores Bently Nevada’s sensor portfolio and offers guidance on selection and application to enhance monitoring systems.

Bently Nevada’s sensor technology traces its roots to geological exploration. Early "seismic" sensors, featuring highly sensitive self-generating moving-coil designs, were initially used to measure tectonic movements. Today, the term "seismic" sensor endures as a tribute to these pioneering devices, which laid the foundation for modern vibration measurement in condition monitoring. These early successes spurred the development of diverse accelerometer types, including rugged solid-state piezoelectric accelerometers and advanced capacitive accelerometers with integrated signal processing circuits—capable of directly outputting velocity signals rather than acceleration data.

Decades of expertise in capacitive calibration and a profound understanding of accelerometer dynamics have cemented Bently Nevada’s reputation for excellence. The company now offers a range of high-sensitivity, casing-mounted capacitive accelerometers and velocity sensors, with specialized models tailored for specific applications.

Bently Nevada’s accelerometers, velocimeters, and related sensing tools are engineered to maintain optimal equipment performance. These sensors withstand extreme temperatures while delivering flexibility and reliability. Velocity sensors feature self-powered designs with radiation resistance, adapting seamlessly to diverse industrial environments. Accelerometers provide electrical safety protections and compatibility with portable data collectors.

Key attributes of Bently Nevada’s sensors include:

• High-temperature endurance: Suitable for monitoring equipment in extreme heat.
• Robust flexibility: Adaptable to varied installation and application needs.
• Radiation resistance: Ideal for nuclear power and other high-radiation settings.
• Low-frequency sensitivity: Detects subtle vibrations in slow-rotating machinery.
• Electrical isolation: Protects against electrical hazards.
• Gear mesh frequency monitoring: Identifies potential gearbox failures early.
• Portable data collector compatibility: Facilitates on-site data analysis.

Bently Nevada’s accelerometers excel in harsh industrial environments, even in space-constrained installations. These casing-mounted sensors measure acceleration in g or m/s², delivering standardized voltage outputs proportional to acceleration levels. They integrate seamlessly with condition monitoring systems, covering a vibration frequency range of 0.2 to 14,000 Hz.

A general-purpose, wideband, casing-mounted seismic sensor designed for use with Trendmaster† proTIMs systems.

These rugged, hermetically sealed stainless-steel sensors are built for harsh environments. Equipped with a 2-pin connector (MIL-C-5015) and a ¼-28 threaded base, they convert piezoelectric charges into differential voltage signals aligned with the sensor’s axis.

This model offers high electrical isolation (up to 6,000 V) between the sensor base and internal electronics, protecting against arc/electrostatic discharge. It features an 80 g peak amplitude range and 100 mV/g sensitivity.

Bently Nevada’s Seismoprobe† velocity sensors measure absolute vibration (relative to free space) on bearing housings, casings, or structures. These dual-wire systems employ moving-coil technology, generating voltage outputs proportional to vibration velocity without external power requirements—making them ideal for portable measurements.

A dual-wire sensor for continuous monitoring or diagnostic testing, with corrosion-resistant integrated cable options.

A high-temperature variant of the 9200.

This dual-output sensor enables velocity-based machine protection while capturing acceleration data for diagnostics, primarily for use with 3500/42M and 3500/44M monitors.

A low-frequency sensor for hazardous areas, capable of measuring vibrations as low as 90 rpm with a unique 3.0 Hz–900 Hz (±1.0 dB) range.

A rugged 2-pin integrated piezoelectric accelerometer optimized for rolling-element bearing machines, featuring a 4.5 Hz–5 kHz (±3.0 dB) frequency range and 305-meter cable capability.

Designed for hydroelectric generators, this system detects low-amplitude vibrations in slow-rotating equipment like stator cores and bearing supports.

An ultra-rugged version of the 330500, with a 316L stainless steel housing and weatherproof connectors for harsh environments.

Guaranteed to withstand 12.0 Mrad gamma radiation while maintaining 3.94 mV/mm/s (±5%) sensitivity.

These uniquely designed sensors separate sensing elements (rated for 400°C/752°F) from signal-conditioning electronics, delivering 5.7 mV/mm/s (±5%) sensitivity across 15 Hz–2 kHz (±3.0 dB).

Accelerometers measure high-frequency acceleration forces. Industrial and laboratory applications utilize diverse types, including:

• Mechanical vibration-switch devices
• High-temperature, low-power, and low-frequency analog models
• Gyroscopic, triaxial, and single-axis designs
• Piezoelectric, fiber-optic, and strain-gauge configurations
• Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers

While MEMS accelerometers gain popularity for less demanding applications, piezoelectric designs remain the gold standard for mechanical monitoring due to their precision and reliability.