What is base strain sensitivity?
Base strain sensitivity is the erroneous signal that is generated by an accelerometer when the base is subjected to bending, torque or distortion either by mechanical movement or thermal stressing. The relative movement of the base of the accelerometer squeezes the crystal in an accelerometer and the seismic mass mounted on the crystal. Base strain is where the base distorts the mass while acceleration causes the seismic mass to distort the crystal. These two forces on the crystal are indistinguishable and so reduction of the base strain is vital for good signals only to be generated. The more indirectly that a crystal is mounted to the base under strain the less sensitive the accelerometer is to base strain. Single ended compression sensors are the most prone to base strain sensitivity and shear type accelerometers the least. Isolated compression accelerometers are a good compromise between have good base strain immunity and the disadvantages that shear type accelerometers bring in te
