Preferred term

Accelerometer

Contributor

A sensor or transducer that converts acceleration of its base into an analog trace or electrical signal. The acceleration signal is normally obtained from the feedback current necessary to maintain an inertial sensor at its mechanical zero point. As in a linear actuator the current is equal to the applied force, this current is proportional to the acceleration within the bandwidth limits of the feedback. Outside the band the acceleration can still be extracted from the position signal, normally through a complicated transfer function. Accelerometers may be enclosed within a self-contained accelerograph, but for studies of structural response they can be located remotely, with their signals being transmitted to a central recorder. Unless otherwise specified, an accelerometer measures translational acceleration. However, accelerometers are also sensitive to rotational ground motions
en Seismometer that measures the acceleration of the ground as a function of time. It generally has a higher dynamic range and a lower sensitivity than a velocimeter and is designed to record strong motions.