Model 3711B112G

MEMS DC accelerometer, 1000 mV/g, +/-2 g range, 0 to 250 Hz, 4-pin connector

Installation and Operating Manual

For assistance with the operation of this product,

contact the PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

Toll-free: 716-684-0001
24-hour SensorLine: 716-684-0001
Fax: 716-684-0987
E-mail: info@pcb.com
Web: www.pcb.com
Repair and Maintenance Returning Equipment
If factory repair is required, our representatives will
PCB guarantees Total Customer Satisfaction through its provide you with a Return Material Authorization (RMA)
“Lifetime Warranty Plus” on all Platinum Stock Products number, which we use to reference any information you
sold by PCB and through its limited warranties on all other have already provided and expedite the repair process.
PCB Stock, Standard and Special products. Due to the This number should be clearly marked on the outside of
sophisticated nature of our sensors and associated all returned package(s) and on any packing list(s)
instrumentation, field servicing and repair is not accompanying the shipment.
recommended and, if attempted, will void the factory
warranty.
Contact Information
Beyond routine calibration and battery replacements PCB Piezotronics, Inc.
where applicable, our products require no user 3425 Walden Ave.
maintenance. Clean electrical connectors, housings, and Depew, NY14043 USA
mounting surfaces with solutions and techniques that will
Toll-free: (800) 828-8840
not harm the material of construction. Observe caution
24-hour SensorLine: (716) 684-0001
when using liquids near devices that are not hermetically
General inquiries: info@pcb.com
sealed. Such devices should only be wiped with a
Repair inquiries: rma@pcb.com
dampened cloth—never saturated or submerged.
For a complete list of distributors, global offices and sales
In the event that equipment becomes damaged or ceases
representatives, visit our website, www.pcb.com.
to operate, our Application Engineers are here to support
your troubleshooting efforts 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. Call or email with model and serial number as well Safety Considerations
as a brief description of the problem.
This product is intended for use by qualified personnel
who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the
Calibration precautions required to avoid injury. While our equipment
is designed with user safety in mind, the protection
Routine calibration of sensors and associated provided by the equipment may be impaired if equipment
instrumentation is necessary to maintain measurement is used in a manner not specified by this manual.
accuracy. We recommend calibrating on an annual basis,
after exposure to any extreme environmental influence, Discontinue use and contact our 24-Hour Sensorline if:
or prior to any critical test.
 Assistance is needed to safely operate equipment
PCB Piezotronics is an ISO-9001 certified company whose  Damage is visible or suspected
calibration services are accredited by A2LA to ISO/IEC  Equipment fails or malfunctions
17025, with full traceability to SI through N.I.S.T. In
addition to our standard calibration services, we also offer For complete equipment ratings, refer to the enclosed
specialized tests, including: sensitivity at elevated or specification sheet for your product.
cryogenic temperatures, phase response, extended high
or low frequency response, extended range, leak testing, Definition of Terms and Symbols
hydrostatic pressure testing, and others. For more
information, contact your local PCB Piezotronics The following symbols may be used in this manual:
distributor, sales representative, or factory customer
service representative. DANGER
Indicates an immediate hazardous
situation, which, if not avoided, may
result in death or serious injury.

Manual 21354 Rev E

ECN 50523
 CAUTION
Refers to hazards that could damage
the instrument.

NOTE
Indicates tips, recommendations and
important information. The notes
simplify processes and contain
additional information on particular
operating steps.

The following symbols may be found on the equipment

described in this manual:

This symbol on the unit indicates that

high voltage may be present. Use
standard safety precautions to avoid
personal contact with this voltage.

This symbol on the unit indicates that

the user should refer to the operating
instructions located in the manual.

This symbol indicates safety, earth

ground.

Manual 21354 Rev E

ECN 50523
 PCB工业监视和测量设备 - 中国RoHS2公布表
PCB Industrial Monitoring and Measuring Equipment - China RoHS 2 Disclosure Table
有害物质

汞 镉
部件名称 铅 (Pb) (Hg) (Cd) 六价铬 (Cr(VI)) 多溴联苯 (PBB) 多溴二苯醚 (PBDE)
住房 O O O O O O
PCB板 X O O O O O
电气连接器 O O O O O O

压电晶体 X O O O O O

环氧 O O O O O O

铁氟龙 O O O O O O

电子 O O O O O O
厚膜基板 O O X O O O
电线 O O O O O O

电缆 X O O O O O
塑料 O O O O O O
焊接 X O O O O O

铜合金/黄铜 X O O O O O

本表格依据 SJ/T 11364 的规定编制。

O： 表示该有害物质在该部件所有均质材料中的含量均在 GB/T 26572 规定的限量要求以下。
X： 表示该有害物质至少在该部件的某一均质材料中的含量超出 GB/T 26572 规定的限量要求。
铅是欧洲RoHS指令2011/65/ EU附件三和附件四目前由于允许的豁免。

CHINA RoHS COMPLIANCE

Manual 21354 Rev E

ECN 50523
Component Name Hazardous Substances
Lead (Pb) Mercury (Hg) Cadmium (Cd) Chromium VI Polybrominated Polybrominated
Compounds Biphenyls (PBB) Diphenyl Ethers
(Cr(VI)) (PBDE)
Housing O O O O O O
PCB Board X O O O O O
Electrical Connectors O O O O O O
Piezoelectric Crystals X O O O O O
Epoxy O O O O O O
Teflon O O O O O O
Electronics O O O O O O
Thick Film Substrate O O X O O O
Wires O O O O O O
Cables X O O O O O
Plastic O O O O O O
Solder X O O O O O
Copper Alloy/Brass X O O O O O
This table is prepared in accordance with the provisions of SJ/T 11364.
O: Indicates that said hazardous substance contained in all of the homogeneous materials for this part is below the limit
requirement of GB/T 26572.
X: Indicates that said hazardous substance contained in at least one of the homogeneous materials for this part is above the limit
requirement of GB/T 26572.
Lead is present due to allowed exemption in Annex III or Annex IV of the European RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU.

Manual 21354 Rev E

ECN 50523
 3700 series DC Accelerometer Operating Guide 1

General
OPERATING GUIDE
for use with

High Sensitivity DC ACCELEROMETERS

PCB ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED TO THIS PRODUCT AS A RESULT OF PROCEDURES THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH
THIS OPERATING GUIDE

1.0 Introduction 3.0 Principle of Operation

This operating guide contains information that will familiarize
the user with the basic operation and installation of the 3700 The sensor element of the 3700 series features a proof mass,
Series MEMS DC Accelerometers. However, it is not intended ring frame, and attachment system between the two. These fea-
to cover all of the specific measurement challenges that one tures are micro machined from the same single-crystal silicon
may encounter while using the device. Therefore, if you have wafer. The movement of the proof mass is directly affected by
detailed questions or are unsure of how to properly operate the acceleration applied in the axis of sensitivity.
sensor after reading this “Operating Guide”, please contact a
PCB Application Engineer using our 24-Hour SensorLineTM at The sensor element is connected as a bridge element in the cir-
716-684-0001. cuit. The electrical characteristics of one portion of the bridge
increase in value while the characteristics of the other portion
2.0 Common Applications and Features decrease when exposed to acceleration. This approach mini-
The 3700 Series MEMS DC Accelerometers achieve true DC mizes common mode errors and improves non-linearity.
response for measuring uniform (or constant) acceleration and
low-frequency vibration. For this reason, they are often used to: A selection of full scale measurement ranges is attained by
modifying the stiffness of the suspension system of the proof
• Perform ride quality assessments of elevators, automobiles, mass. A high natural frequency is accomplished through the
trains, and amusement park rides. combination of a lightweight proof mass and suspension stiff-
ness.
• Analyze the low frequency characteristics of buildings,
bridges, and large aerospace objects. Ruggedness is enhanced through the use of mechanical stops to
restrict the travel of the proof mass. Damping is used to mitigate
• Acquire tilt and orientation data for feedback control and high frequency inputs.
stabilization purposes.
The sensor elements use squeeze-film gas damping. This is the
Because of the critical nature of these and similar test applica- result of the movement of the proof mass pressing on the gas in
tions, all 3700 series MEMS DC Accelerometers have been de- the gap between it and the outer sensor layer. Damping helps
signed and manufactured with the following common charac- prevent the output of the accelerometer from becoming satu-
teristics: rated, as would happen when the resonance of an accelerometer
with no damping is excited by random vibration. The advantage
• Built-in electronics provide conveniently standardized sen- of gas damping over liquid damping is that it is minimally af-
sitivities and low-noise output signals unmatched by simi- fected by temperature changes.
lar sensing technologies.
The 3710 series accelerometers contain conditioning circuitry
• Internal voltage regulator allows sensor to be powered that provides a high sensitivity output. This ASIC ( Application
from virtually any unregulated DC voltage source, such as Specific Integrated Circuit ) also provides compensation of zero
a bench-top power supply or portable battery source. bias and sensitivity errors over temperature.

• Gas damping extends the upper frequency range, attenuates

unwanted high-frequency vibration, and provides stable
performance over the entire operating temperature range.

Manual Number: 32650

Manual Revision: E
ECR Number: 53457
 3700 series DC Accelerometer Operating Guide 2

4.0 Typical Measurement System facturers for their de-bonding recommendations. The de-bond-
ing agent must be allowed to penetrate the surface in order to
The 3700 series DC Accelerometers are available in a uniaxial properly react with the adhesive, so it is advisable to wait a few
or triaxial package. The output signal is routed to follow-on sig- minutes before removing the sensor.
nal conditioning via receptacle and associated cable assembly
or integral cable. Since the High Sensitivity DC Accelerometers After the de-bonding agent has softened the adhesive, use a gen-
contain a built-in voltage regulator, they may be powered from tle shearing (or twisting) motion to remove the base and/or sen-
virtually any power source without adversely affecting sensor sor from the test structure.
performance, please refer to sensor specification for voltage
range and current requirements. Consult PCB Application En- Easy Mount Clip: Recommended when frequent installation
gineering for signal conditioning options if needed. The output and removal of Series 3700 series accelerometers is desired.
from the signal conditioner is typically routed to readout instru- Depending on the Easy-Mount Clip design, it can either be stud
mentation such as oscilloscopes or various model data acquisi- mounted or adhesively mounted to the test structure. (If adhe-
tion instruments. sively mounting the clip, detach the sensor from the clip first,
as excessive adhesive may creep through the mounting holes
5.0 Sensor Installation and adhere to the sensor. This will make separation and removal
from the clip difficult.) Once the Easy-Mount Clip has been at-
When choosing an installation technique, be certain to care- tached to the test structure, the sensor can be easily snapped into
fully examine the different application characteristics that may and out of the clip. Over time, the Easy-Mount Clip must be
affect sensor performance. Characteristics such as mounting lo- replaced as it will “wear-out” and eventually lose its ability to
cation may limit the use of large mounting blocks or the ampli- securely hold the sensor.
tude range may necessitate the use of a stud mount rather than
using adhesive. A summary of the recommended mounting 6.0 Powering
methods is provided below.
The 3710 Series contains built-in microelectronics that will op-
Stud Mount: Recommended for permanent mount applications erate from many PCB Sensor Signal Conditioners. These signal
or in test situations that require a rugged or secure installation. conditioners provide the necessary voltage and current required
The necessary information, including surface finish, mounting for all of the powering options available on the 3700 series. If a
hole dimensions, and recommended mounting torque for in- signal conditioner is needed, please consult with the factory for
stalling the sensor is listed on the enclosed Sensor Installation the proper conditioner that best fits the application.
Drawing. It is recommended that an experienced technician or
machinist with good machining capabilities adequately prepare The 3700 series may also be powered by other voltage sources
the surface. such as DC voltage laboratory supplies, automotive or marine
batteries, or low-voltage supplies designed for powering PC
Adhesive Mount: Recommended for temporary mounting of the Board components. Ensure that the source provides power
sensor or when the test object surface cannot be properly pre- within the excitation voltage range and current listed on the
pared for stud mounting. Wax works well for temporary mount specification sheet for that model. It is important to note that
applications under conditions where the operating temperature since the accelerometers contain a built-in voltage regulator,
will not melt the wax or the acceleration levels will not dislodge precise calibration of the power source is generally not re-
the sensor from the test object. If using cyanoacrylate-based ad- quired.
hesives for a quick mounting method or two-part epoxies for a
more secure mount, PCB recommends mounting DC accel- 7.0 Operation
erometers via an adhesive mounting base. The base acts as a
sacrificial part allowing safe removal of accelerometer after test After the sensor has been installed and the cable connected for
is completed. If a base is not used, care must be taken as to not proper operation, there are a couple of measurement points to
damage the sensor during removal. take note of:

NOTE: A chemical debonder should always be used • To take advantage of the DC response of the accelerometer,
the readout device must be in a DC coupled state. Consult
With so many adhesives in use (everything from super glues, the appropriate manufacturer or product manual for your
dental cement, epoxies, etc), there is no universal de-bonding readout device for details.
agent available. The de-bonder for the Loctite 454 adhesive
that PCB offers is Acetone. If you are using anything other than • Because the 3700 series can measure static (constant) ac-
Loctite 454, you will have to check with the individual manu- celerations, the DC offset voltage will be affected by the
positional alignment relative to the Earth’s gravity. In other
Manual Number: 32650
Manual Revision: E
ECR Number: 53457
 3700 series DC Accelerometer Operating Guide 3

words, when the sensor is mounted perpendicular with the 10.0 Maintenance and Repair
Earth’s surface, the offset will equal that as specified on the
calibration certificate for “zero-g offset voltage.” If the Because of the sophisticated nature of PCB instrumentation,
sensor is mounted parallel with the Earth’s surface, the sen- field repair of the equipment is not recommended. Most PCB
sor will be experiencing 1 g of acceleration and the offset sensors are of modular construction and are factory repairable.
voltage will increase by the sensitivity of the accelerome- A repair or replacement quotation is available at no charge. Be-
ter. fore returning equipment for repair, it is recommended that the
user confer with a factory application engineer (or inter-na-
• If the sensor is extended, in the case of an integral cable tional representative) to first troubleshoot the problem.
sensor, or a cable length other than 10 ft is used, in the case
of sensor with an integral connector, the offset voltage will 11.0 Return Procedure
change. To determine the accelerometer’s offset, rotate the
unit 90° so that the sensor is on its side with the sensing To expedite the repair process, contact a factory Application
axis perpendicular to Earth’s gravity and record the DC Engineer to obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA)
output. This value is the new “zero-g offset voltage.” number prior to sending equipment to the factory. Please have
information, such as model number, serial number and descrip-
• To ensure that ground loops are not induced, the shield tion of the problem, available.
should only be terminated at one end. Typically, the shield
of the cable is tied to the sensor housing. If the sensor is Customers outside the U.S. should consult their local PCB dis-
mounted with an isolation pad (or other form of electrical tributor for information on returning equipment. For exceptions
isolation) from the test structure, then the shield should be to this guideline, please contact the International Sales depart-
tied to signal ground at the instrumentation end. Otherwise, ment to request shipping instructions and an RMA.
leave the cable shield floating or not connected at the in-
strumentation end. For further assistance, please call (716) 684-0001 or fax us at
(716) 684-0987. You may also receive assistance via e-mail at
8.0 Sensor Verification info@pcb.com or visit our web site at www.pcb.com.

If the sensor has been handled in a rough manner or before us- 12.0 Customer Service / Warranty
ing a sensor for a critical measurement application, it is a good
idea to verify that the sensor’s sensitivity is still within specifi- The employees of PCB strive to provide superior, unmatched
cation. An accurate static calibration of the 3700 series can be customer service. Should you at any time find yourself dissat-
performed using the Earth’s Gravitational Field as a reference. isfied with any PCB product for any reason, consult a factory
The sensor can simply be “flipped” (rotated 180°) in the Earth’s Application Engineer or local representative/distributor to dis-
Gravity to obtain the scaling factor (sensitivity) and DC offset. cuss repair, refund, or exchange procedures.
First, place the accelerometer in a +1g orientation so that the
base is resting on the table and the model number is facing up. When unexpected measurement problems arise, call our 24-
The sensing axis will be parallel with the Earth’s gravity with hour SensorLineTM at (716) 684-0001 to discuss your immedi-
the sensor experiencing +1g acceleration. Record the DC output ate dynamic instrumentation needs with a PCB Application En-
by using a DVM. Then rotate the sensor 180° so that the sensor gineer.
is inverted (the top of the sensor is resting on the table) and the
sensor is experiencing –1g acceleration. Record the DC output.
To calculate the sensitivity of the accelerometer, refer to equa-
tion 8.1.

Sensitivity = (+1g) – (-1g) Eq 8.1

2

9.0 Sensor Calibration

Due to ISO 9001, ISO Guide 25, or other contractual require-

ments, it may become necessary to send the accelerometer back
to PCB for recalibration. In this case, a complete back-to-back
frequency response test will be performed and the “zero-g” off-
set voltage will be checked with NIST traceable equipment.

Manual Number: 32650

Manual Revision: E
ECR Number: 53457