What is Triboelectric Noise

Many engineers are not aware of the phenomenon of triboelectric noise, this can cause siginificant noise issues in a measurement system. Triboelectric noise is ‘motion induced noise’ which can be caused in cables which are carrying a charge signal from devices such as piezoelectric sensors (for example accelerometers). As the cables flex due to movement the layers within the cable rub together causing electrostatic charge to build up, this charge must go somewhere and if the correct cable type is not used it can be added to the signal charge causing a noisy output. This issue is limited by using Low Noise Cables. This video demonstrates how low noise cable can minimise triboelectric noise.

 Cable Length Calculator for IEPE Accelerometers

This is probably an issue many engineers have come across without understanding the reasons. When using an IEPE accelerometer which is most commonly powered by the source built into the DAQ system there is a potential issue with higher frequency cut off caused by the build up of cable capacitance in longer cables. This effectively creates a low pass filter.

To overcome this issue there is an easy solution which is to increase your IEPE signal source current supplied. Typically the standard source is 2mA or 4mA, however by increasing this to 6mA or even 8mA much longer cables can be used without any frequency degradation. If your DAQ is unable to offer this function, Kemo’ range of IEPE signal conditioning units and many of our electronic filter products also offer the option to increase IEPE signal conditioning.

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Explaining Analog or Electronic Filters

KEMO Article – An Introduction to Electronic Filters

Article 1 – What is an Electronic Filter? Passive filter or Active Filter…..

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KEMO Article – An Introduction to Electronic Filters

Article 2 – What type of Electronic Filters can I use? High Pass, Low Pass…..

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KEMO Article – An Introduction to Electronic Filters

Article 3 – Specifying an Electronic Filter? Bessel, Butterworth, 4 Pole, 8 Pole…..

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KEMO Article – An introduction to Electronic Filters

Digital Filters or Analog Filters – Advantages and Disadvantages

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KEMO Article – How to calibrate Kemo electronic analog filters

Correct Filter Calibration – Critical performance criteria

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Kemo Article – Basics of Vibration

The relationship between Acceleration, velocity and displacement

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