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3-Axis Accelerometer User Manual

Order Code: 3D-BTA

The 3-Axis Accelerometer consists of three –5g to +5g accelerometers mounted in one small block. Using the appropriate data‑collection hardware and software, you can graph any of these components, or calculate the magnitude of the net acceleration. The 3-Axis Accelerometer can be used for a wide variety of experiments and demonstrations, both inside and outside the lab.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial testing of any kind.

Compatible Software and Interfaces

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements.

LabQuest
InterfaceLabQuest App
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support
Computers
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisLogger ProLogger Lite
LabQuest MiniFull supportFull supportFull support
LabQuest 3Full supportFull supportIncompatible
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full supportFull supportFull support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support 1Full supportFull support 1
Go!LinkPartial support 2Partial support 2Partial support 2
LabQuest (discontinued)Full supportFull supportFull support
LabPro (discontinued)IncompatibleFull supportFull support

Compatibility Notes

  1. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
  2. This interface can only collect acceleration data from one axis.
Chromebook
Software
InterfaceGraphical Analysis
LabQuest MiniFull support
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support 1
Go!LinkPartial support 2
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support

Compatibility Notes

  1. Connect LabQuest Stream via USB. Wireless connection is not supported.
  2. This interface can only collect acceleration data from one axis.
iOS
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full supportFull support
LabQuest 3Full support 1Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1Full support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. iOS and Android™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Android
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full supportFull support
LabQuest 3Full support 1Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1Full support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. iOS and Android™ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
Arduino
Software
InterfaceArduino
Vernier Arduino® Interface ShieldPartial support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface can only collect acceleration data from two axes.
LabVIEW
Software
InterfaceNI LabVIEW
SensorDAQ (discontinued)Full support
Vernier myDAQ AdapterPartial support 1 2
Go!LinkPartial support 3
LabQuest MiniFull support
LabQuest Stream (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support
LabQuest (discontinued)Full support

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface can only collect acceleration data from two axes.
  2. You can only read the raw count/raw voltage output by this sensor. You must do the programming to convert to proper sensor units.
  3. This interface can only collect acceleration data from one axis.
Texas Instruments
Software
InterfaceEasyDataDataMateTI-84 SmartViewDataQuestTI-Nspire Software
EasyLinkPartial support 1 2IncompatiblePartial support 1 3Partial support 1Partial support 1 3
CBL 2 (discontinued)Full support 4Full support 4 5IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
LabPro (discontinued)Full support 4Full support 4 5IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatible
TI-Nspire Lab Cradle (discontinued)IncompatibleIncompatibleIncompatibleFull supportFull support

Compatibility Notes

  1. This interface can only collect acceleration data from one axis.
  2. Use with TI-84 Plus calculators only.
  3. Requires an Easy to Go! adapter
  4. CBL 2 and LabPro interfaces cannot be used with TI-84 Plus CE calculators.
  5. DataMate cannot be used with color screen TI-84 Plus calculators; use EasyData with these calculators.

Getting Started

  1. Connect the sensor to the interface (LabQuest Mini, LabQuest 3, etc.).
  2. Start the appropriate data-collection software Logger Pro®, LabQuest® App, or Vernier Graphical Analysis®) if not already running, and choose New from File menu.

The software will identify the sensor and load a default data-collection setup. You are now ready to continue your experiment.

If you are collecting data using a Chromebook™, mobile device such as iPad® or Android™ tablet, or a Vernier wireless sensor or interface, please see the following link for up-to-date connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/3d-bta

Calibration

You should not need to calibrate this sensor. Each sensor is calibrated prior to being shipped to you. In most experiments you can simply use the default calibration, then use the software’s zeroing option to zero the sensor along the axes.

Calibration may be done using the acceleration due to gravity. To calibrate the sensor for measuring acceleration in the horizontal direction:

  1. Position the accelerometer with the arrow pointing down for the first calibration point.
  2. Define this as –9.8 m/s2 or –1g.
  3. Rotate the accelerometer so the arrow points up and use the reading for the second calibration point.
  4. Define this as +9.8 m/s2 or +1g. The accelerometer will then read 0 with no acceleration when held horizontally.
  5. Repeat this procedure for each axis.

If you want to calibrate for measuring acceleration in the vertical direction, follow the procedure above, but define the first calibration point as 0g or 0 m/s2 and the second point as 2g or 19.6 m/s2. Note: The two calibrations are not really that different, in both cases there is a 19.6 m/s2 difference in acceleration between the two calibration points.

Specifications

Power

30 mA @ 5 VDC

For each axis
  • Range: ±49 m/s2 (±5g)
  • Accuracy: ±0.5 m/s2 (±0.05g)
  • Frequency Response: 0–100 Hz

Stored calibration information
  • Slope: 30.46 m/s2/V
  • Intercept: –72.62 m/s2

How the Sensor Works

Since the accelerometer is sensitive to both acceleration and the Earth’s gravitational field, interpreting accelerometer measurements is complex. A useful model for understanding accelerometer measurements is a spring-based scale with a reference mass (or object) attached to the scale. If the scale is pointing upward (the usual orientation for such a device) the weight of the mass causes the spring to compress, and you get a non-zero reading. If you were to turn the scale upside down, the spring will be extended, instead of compressed, and we get a reading of the opposite sign. If you turn the scale so it points sideways, and keep it motionless, then the spring will just be at its relaxed length, and the reading will be zero. If you accelerated the scale toward the mass, then the spring would compress; away, and the spring would stretch.

In each case the scale is reading a value corresponding to the normal force on the mass. This reading can be made relative by dividing out the mass, giving units of N/kg, which is the same as m/s2. Accelerometer measurements can be interpreted in exactly this way.

The 3-Axis Accelerometer contains three acceleration-sensing integrated circuits (ICs), along with the associated electronics. It is functionally equivalent to three of our Low-g Accelerometers (order code LGA-BTA) mounted in a small block at orthogonal angles. Each of the accelerometers measures acceleration along one line and produces a signal on one of the three outputs. These three axes and three outputs are labeled X, Y, and Z. The IC sensors are similar to those originally designed to control the release of air bags in an automobile. This IC is micro-machined with very thin “fingers” carved in silicon. These fingers flex when accelerated. They are arranged and connected like the plates of a capacitor. As the fingers flex, the capacitance changes, and a circuit included in the IC monitors the capacitance, converting it into a voltage. An op-amp circuit amplifies and filters the signal from the IC. The net result is that the voltage varies in a linear way with acceleration.

Each of the outputs is labeled with X, Y, or Z. This corresponds with the directions shown on the label on the sensor. Accelerations are normally measured in either meters per second per second (m/s2) or g. One g is the acceleration due to gravity at the Earth’s surface, or 9.8 m/s2. This accelerometer will measure accelerations in the range of –5g (–49 m/s2) to +5g (+49 m/s2) in each direction.

This is a range of accelerations that a human body could experience without damage. Many collisions will produce much larger accelerations. In fact, dropping the accelerometer on a hard surface from even a few centimeters can produce accelerations of 100g. The 3-Axis Accelerometer will not be damaged by accelerations up to 1000g.

When properly calibrated, when the arrow representing an axis points upward, that channel reads +9.8 m/s2. When an axis arrow points down, that channel should read –9.8 m/s2. When an axis arrow is held horizontally, that channel will read zero. In most cases, data-collection software can be used to create a new column to calculate the square root of the sum of the squares of the accelerations. It will be equal to 9.8 m/s2 when the 3-Axis Accelerometer has no acceleration and zero when it is in free fall. The orientation of the 3-Axis Accelerometer does not matter. To understand how this works, try holding the 3-Axis Accelerometer in your hand and very slowly rotate it about all three axes. The graphs below show the result. The graphs have all three components of acceleration and the net acceleration (the square root of the sum of the squares of the accelerations). Notice that it stays near 9.8 m/s2 throughout all of this rotation.

Rotating the 3-Axis Accelerometer

The 3-Axis Accelerometer is designed to measure small accelerations with minimal electronic noise. The noise is typically on the order of 0.5 m/s2 peak to peak. The offset voltage (voltage output at 0 m/s2) will drift somewhat with temperature.

Using the 3-Axis Accelerometer as a Single Axis Accelerometer

Since the 3-Axis Accelerometer is equivalent to three Low-g Accelerometers, you can use just one channel of it to study acceleration along a single axis. Mount the accelerometer so that a particular axis is in the direction of interest and monitor just that channel. If the motion is linear, it will keep the analysis simple.

Troubleshooting

For additional troubleshooting and FAQs, see www.vernier.com/til/1412

Repair Information

If you have followed the troubleshooting steps and are still having trouble with your 3-Axis Accelerometer, contact Vernier Technical Support at support@vernier.com or call 888-837-6437. Support specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for repair.

Warranty

Warranty information for this product can be found on the Support tab at www.vernier.com/3d-bta/#support

General warranty information can be found at www.vernier.com/warranty

Contact Support

Fill out our online support form or call us toll-free at 1-888-837-6437.

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