CA280 144-280-000-116 Meggitt Piezoelectric Accelerometer

CA280 144-280-000-116 is a high-sensitivity piezoelectric accelerometer with a 3-meter integral cable from the Meggitt Vibro-Meter product line. This model belongs to the new generation integral cable version within the CA280 series. It comes standard with a 3-meter low-noise, shielded twisted pair cable (K205 type), with the cable protected externally by a flexible stainless steel braided hose that is hermetically welded to the sensor body, forming a completely sealed integral assembly. This design eliminates the need for on-site cable connection after installation, greatly simplifying field wiring work while ensuring long-term reliability, making it particularly suitable for industrial environments with limited space, difficult wiring, or strict sealing requirements.

The 144-280-000-116 inherits the core technology of the CA280 series—symmetrical shear mode piezoelectric sensing element, internal case insulation, and differential output—effectively suppressing ground loop interference and ensuring signal quality. Its fully welded AISI 316L stainless steel case provides excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, enabling stable operation within the extreme temperature range of -60°C to +260°C. It has obtained multiple international explosion-proof certifications including ATEX, IECEx, and cCSAus, permitting safe use in potentially explosive gas atmospheres such as Zone 0, 1, and 2.

As the new generation integral cable version of the CA280 series, the 144-280-000-116 supersedes the earlier 115 model, incorporating updated manufacturing processes and components while maintaining full compatibility with existing systems. This model is currently the mainstream part number for the CA280 3-meter integral cable version and is widely used in vibration monitoring for critical equipment such as gas turbines, compressors, and aero-engine testing, making it an ideal choice for both new projects and existing system maintenance.

II. Key Features and Benefits

1. Excellent Measurement Performance

• High Sensitivity (100 pC/g) : Capable of accurately capturing vibrations as low as 0.01 g, suitable for precision machinery and structural analysis.

• Wide Frequency Response (0.5 Hz to 6000 Hz) : Covers the vibration frequencies of most rotating machinery while allowing accurate measurement of both low and high-frequency components.

• Low Transverse Sensitivity (≤3%) : Ensures measurement primarily along the sensitive axis, reducing interference from transverse vibrations.

• Low Base Strain Sensitivity (typical 0.8×10⁻³ g/με) : Effectively isolates the influence of mounting surface strain on measurement results, improving measurement accuracy.

2. Rugged Integrated Construction

• Fully Welded AISI 316L Stainless Steel Case: Provides excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical strength with high protection level.

• Integrally Welded Cable Assembly: The cable is welded to the sensor via a stainless steel braided hose, preventing ingress of moisture and corrosive gases, suitable for harsh industrial environments.

• Internal Case Insulation: The sensor is electrically floating relative to the case, avoiding ground loops and improving signal integrity.

• Wide Operating Temperature Range (-60°C to +260°C): Can withstand extreme temperatures, suitable for high-temperature turbomachinery and low-temperature environments.

• Shock Resistance (<1000 g): Able to withstand accidental mechanical shocks, ensuring sensor survival in harsh operating conditions.

3. International Explosion-Proof Certifications

• Multiple Certifications including ATEX, IECEx, cCSAus, KGS, EAC: Suitable for potentially explosive atmospheres, including Zone 0, 1, and 2 gas environments.

• Intrinsic Safety Ex ia and Non-Sparking Ex nA: Different protection modes available based on application requirements, ensuring safe operation.

• Certification Covers the Entire Assembly: The integral cable is included within the explosion-proof certification scope, requiring no additional cable parameter calculations by the user.

4. Convenient Installation and Connection

• ARINC 554 Standard Mounting: Fixed using three M4 screws with a mounting torque of 4 N·m, no need for electrical insulation of the mounting surface.

• Pre-installed Integral Cable: Factory-welded 3-meter K205 low-noise cable with flying leads at the end, facilitating direct connection to signal conditioners or monitoring systems.

• No On-site Wiring Required: Reduces the risk of installation errors and improves system reliability.

5. No Subsequent Calibration Required

• Factory Dynamic Calibration: Each sensor is calibrated at 120 Hz, 5 g peak, 23°C, with a sensitivity tolerance of ±5%, and comes with a calibration certificate. No periodic calibration is necessary, but periodic verification is recommended based on usage conditions.

6. Compliance with International Standards and Environmental Requirements

• RoHS Compliant: Meets 2011/65/EU directive, satisfying global environmental regulations.

• EMC Compatible: Complies with EN 61000-6-2 and EN 61000-6-4 standards, ensuring stable operation in industrial electromagnetic environments.

  
  

III. Typical Applications

Leveraging its integrated cable design, high sensitivity, wide temperature range, and explosion-proof characteristics, the CA280 144-280-000-116 is primarily used in the following scenarios:

• Rotating Machinery Vibration Monitoring: Such as gas turbines, steam turbines, compressors, fans, pumps, for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis, particularly suitable for locations with limited installation space and difficult wiring.

• Aerospace Testing: Engine vibration testing, structural modal analysis, flight vehicle health monitoring, requiring high reliability and high-temperature resistance.

• Petrochemical Industry: Online vibration monitoring in hazardous areas, such as critical equipment in refineries and chemical plants. The integral cable design reduces explosion-proof interfaces, enhancing safety.

• Power and Energy: Vibration measurement for generator sets, wind turbines, auxiliary equipment in nuclear power plants.

• Laboratory Research: Material mechanical testing, structural dynamics research, high-precision vibration measurement; the integral cable ensures signal stability.

• Extreme Environment Monitoring: Long-term vibration monitoring under high/low temperature, high humidity, and corrosive atmospheres.

• Existing System Maintenance: As an upgrade replacement for the 115 model, used for spare part replacement in existing systems to ensure long-term stable operation.

  
  

IV. Operating Principle and System Integration

1. Operating Principle

The CA280 operates on the piezoelectric shear mode principle: an internal seismic mass applies a shear force to the piezoelectric element under acceleration, generating a charge signal proportional to the acceleration. Due to the differential output and internal insulation, this charge signal manifests as a potential difference between the two pins, effectively suppressing common-mode interference. In the integral cable version, the K205 low-noise cable transmits the differential charge signal from the sensor to the external signal conditioner, and the cable's shielding further suppresses electromagnetic interference. The 3-meter cable length is suitable for the sensor-to-monitoring cabinet distance in most industrial sites.

2. Signal Conditioning Requirements

As the CA280 outputs a high-impedance charge signal, it must be connected to an external charge converter (such as Meggitt's IPC70x series signal conditioners) or a monitoring system with a charge input. The charge converter transforms the charge signal into a low-impedance voltage signal and may provide functions like integration and filtering, facilitating subsequent data acquisition and analysis. For the 3-meter integral cable version, the cable capacitance is already included in the total load (approx. 8600 pF). When selecting a charge converter, ensure its input capacitance and gain settings are compatible with this cable length. Meggitt's IPC70x series is designed to support long cable transmissions and can be directly matched.

3. System Integration Key Points

• Cable Fixation: Although the stainless steel braided hose of the integral cable is robust, it still requires proper fixation to avoid fatigue damage from vibration. It is recommended to secure the cable using a clamp approximately 100 mm from the sensor, and every 300-500 mm thereafter.

• Grounding and Insulation: The sensor case is electrically connected to the mounting surface, but the internal circuit is insulated from the case. Therefore, no special insulation treatment is required for the mounting surface. System grounding should follow the single-point ground principle to avoid ground loops. The cable shield should be grounded at a single point, preferably at the charge converter end, with the sensor end left floating.

• Installation in Hazardous Areas: When used in hazardous areas, special conditions from the Ex certificates must be followed, such as limitations on cable capacitance and inductance, and anti-static measures during installation. The length and capacitance parameters of the integral cable are already included within the Ex certification scope, requiring no additional calculation.

• Interfacing with Monitoring Systems: Connect the voltage signal from the charge converter to VM600 monitoring systems, data acquisition cards, or PLC analog input modules. Configure range, alarm thresholds, etc., via configuration software.

  
  

V. Version Positioning and Selection Recommendations

1. Positioning within the CA280 Series

The 144-280-000-116 is the new generation integral cable version (3-meter cable length) within the CA280 series, superseding the earlier 115 model. Compared to the 115, the 116 version may feature optimizations in the following areas:

• Improved Manufacturing Processes: Utilizes more advanced manufacturing techniques to improve consistency and reliability.

• Updated Components: Incorporates newer electronic components to ensure long-term supply and stable performance.

• Updated Certifications: Maintains original explosion-proof certifications and may have added new ones (such as KGS, EAC).

• Compatibility: Fully compatible with the 115 version, allowing direct replacement of existing 115 sensors in systems.

2. Comparison with Other Versions

3. Selection Decision Recommendations

• Distance Matching: If the distance between the sensor and the monitoring cabinet or junction box is within 3 meters, the 116 version is an ideal choice, eliminating the need for on-site cable fabrication. If the distance exceeds 3 meters but is less than 6 meters, consider the 126 version. If the distance exceeds 6 meters, consider using the sensor-only version with routed extension cables, but ensure the extension solution meets Ex requirements.

• New Project Selection: For new projects with distances within the 3-meter range, the 116 version is recommended to simplify installation and ensure sealing. If non-standard lengths or special temperature cables are needed, choose the 016 version.

• Existing System Spare Parts: If the existing system uses the 115 version, the 116 version is an ideal replacement. Confirm mounting dimensions and electrical interface are identical (typically they are) before ordering. Consult with Meggitt to confirm compatibility.

• Explosion-proof Compliance: The integral cable version, with the cable pre-installed, has the explosion-proof certification covering the entire assembly, making it simpler to use without requiring the user to perform additional cable parameter calculations.

4. Compatibility Notes with Sensor-Only Version

• Interchangeability: The 116 sensor is identical to the sensor body in the 016 version, differing only in cable configuration. Therefore, if on-site sensor replacement is needed and an existing cable is available, the 016 version can be used with the existing cable (requiring connector re-fabrication or use of adapters), but attention must be paid to explosion-proof requirements.

• Spare Parts Strategy: For users with multiple cable length requirements, stocking 016 sensors and several cable reels may be more economical than stocking multiple integral cable versions. However, consider the process capability for on-site connector fabrication and explosion-proof risks. For most standardized applications, stocking 116 and 126 versions is more convenient.