ShockWatch Product Specifications

Technical Information for ShockWatch Labels

Frequency vs. Duration

The amount of time required for an impact to happen is described in two ways; frequency and duration. Frequency describes the time as compared to cycles per second and the unit of measure is called Hertz (Hz). Duration describes the time as compared to seconds and the usual unit of measure is milliseconds (ms).

The mathematical expressions related to these two terms are:
1ms = .001 seconds
1Hz = one cycle per second
Duration = (1 / Frequency) / 2
Frequency = (1 / Duration) / 2

To convert Duration to Frequency, the calculation is as follows:
Duration = (1 / Frequency) / 2

Example: Convert 500Hz to Duration
Duration = (1 / 500) / 2
Duration = .001 seconds
Duration = 1ms

To convert Frequency to Duration, the calculation is as follows:
Frequency = (1 / Duration) / 2

Example: Convert 10ms to Frequency
10ms = .010 seconds
Frequency = (1 / Duration) / 2
Frequency = (1 / .010) / 2
Frequency = 50Hz

ShockWatch Activation Curves

The left side of the Frequency vs. Duration curve shows a linear scale and is titled “G” or “G-level.” This is the acceleration scale. A “G” is a multiple of the acceleration due to gravity (32.2ft/s2, or 9.8m/s2). Five (5) G’s equals five (5) times the acceleration due to gravity.

The bottom side of the page shows a linear scale that is titled “t.” This is the duration scale and its unit is milliseconds. One millisecond is 1/1000 of a second. The most critical thing to observe from the curves is that as duration decreases, activation acceleration increases.

The reason behind this is that our shock curves are based on a half-sine shock pulse. The area under the shock pulse is known as v, or rather, the change in velocity. The “Δ“ v is actually the phenomenon that activates a ShockWatch device or causes damage to a product. If you shorten the duration (make the shock pulse thinner) you must make it taller (higher G) to keep approximately the same area under the curve (Δ v). Figure 4 features two shock pulses; the first one is wide and short and the second one is tall and skinny. But they both could be used to describe the same ShockWatch device because they have approximately the same area under the curve (Δ v). The second shock pulse makes up for its shorter duration with a high “G.”

There is also one other parameter to be aware of. Each ShockWatch has a “minimum G” threshold that must be exceeded before it will activate. You can determine this “minimum” G for each ShockWatch device by looking at the shock curves. It is the left most “G-level” value on the curve. It is the “G-value” where the shock curve intercepts, or runs into, the left acceleration scale. If this “minimum G” is not exceeded, regardless of the duration or the Δ v, the ShockWatch will not activate.

ShockWatch Label Placement

The correct placement of a ShockWatch label is paramount to achieve proper device operation. A ShockWatch label placed in the wrong position on a package can alter that device’s response characteristics and cause erratic results.

Whenever possible, the ShockWatch label should be placed on as rigid an area as possible. The reason for this is that if the surface to which the label is affixed is flexible, or can flex, it will dissipate an indeterminate amount of shock. The selection guide for ShockWatch devices is based on the assumption that the label is placed on a package at a position that has minimal flex. If a ShockWatch label is placed in a non-rigid position, its activation response will not correlate with the selection guide.

Typically, the most rigid area of a container (box) is at or near a corner. The most flexible area of a container is the center of a side. To prove this to yourself, press against the center of one side of a corrugated container. You will see that it easily gives way and flexes. Now, press against that same side but at a point near the junction of that side with one of the other sides (corner). You will see that there is considerably less flex.

In conclusion, if a ShockWatch customer reports erratic results in using the ShockWatch labels, the first item to check is the placement of the label.

Packaging

As you well know, the packaging of an item plays a very important role in ensuring that the product will reach its destination without damage. But do you know specifically how packaging protects the contents? The assumption is that packaging simply absorbs or dissipates shock. Actually, packaging uses physics to alter shock or impact so that it doesn’t render damage to the contents. Here is how.

Figure 3 shows a damage boundary curve (DBC). A DBC can be developed for every product made. A DBC shows what shock is required to damage a product. Any impact whose characteristics fall within the damage area of the DBC will damage that product. For instance, on the DBC shown, an impact of 50G @ 5 ms would damage the product because that impact is within the damage area. For the same DBC, an impact of 10G @ 5 ms would not damage the product because it is outside the damage area. Two interesting characteristics of a DBC are 1) it clearly shows that for all products, there is a minimum acceleration, and 2) a minimum time duration that must be exceeded in order to render damage to a product.

Figure 4 shows two shock pulses. The top pulse represents what a product is exposed to when it is dropped a specific height with no packaging. The bottom pulse represents what a product is exposed to when it is dropped from the same height but is protected by packaging. Each pulse occupies approximately the same area, as represented by the numbered squares. This area is called delta V, or rather, the change in velocity experienced by the product when it was dropped. v is purely a function of the drop height and since drops from the same height generated these shock pulses, they have the same v.

So how can two shock pulses have the same v, but be shaped so differently? When the product was dropped with packaging, the first thing to hit the ground was the box. When the box touched the ground, it came to a stop very quickly. The amount of time required for an object (box) to stop once it has impacted another object (ground) is what we call the time duration of an impact. Although the box had stopped, the contents continued to move by compressing the packaging foam. Thus the contents had a longer time duration. So if the box and contents were experiencing the same v, but the contents experience a longer time duration, the peak acceleration seen by the contents had to be lower.

Refer to the DBC on figure 3. You will see two points. One is marked “A1, T1″and the other is marked “A2, T2.” “A1, T1” represents the shock pulse without packaging shown on figure A. As you can see “A1, T1” is within the damage area of the DBC and thus would damage the product. “A2, T2” represents the shock pulse with packaging shown on figure 4. “A2, T2” is outside of the damage area and thus would not damage the product. So in effect, what the packaging did was to increase the time duration, lower the peak acceleration, and get the impact out of the damage area of the DBC.

So packaging really just changes the characteristics of shock to not damage the contents.

ShockWatch Activation Angles

All of the ShockWatch activation curves we publish are based on the ShockWatch receiving an impact at a 45° angle. ShockWatch monitors are most sensitive to impacts at this angle. There does exist, however, a slight deviation in the response of a ShockWatch monitor to an impact at an angle of 90°. In most applications, this deviation is not relevant. However, there are some applications where precise impact values at specific angles are required.

The deviation in a ShockWatch monitor’s response due to the change in angle generally follows this equation:

90° acceleration (G) value = 45 degree acceleration (G) value / .7071

Example: 45° acceleration value for a L-65 at 10ms = 46G
90° acceleration value =  46G / .7071
90° acceleration value = 65G

Knowing this characteristic of ShockWatch monitors can be a benefit. For instance, you may have a customer who has a specific engineering application where he wants an indicator that will react at a value that does not coincide specifically with one of our standard ShockWatch monitors. It is sometimes possible to simply change the orientation of the monitor so as to achieve the sensitivity required at a specific angle.

ShockWatch Activation Equations at 45° Acceleration

ProductAngleEquation
L-3045°G+367.2 / t + 102.5
L-3545°G = 299.8 / t + 81.5
L-4745°G = 233.1 / t +52.7
L-5545°G = 215.0 / t + 40
L-6545°G = 201.1 / t +25.1

To calculate the 90° value, use the following equation:
90° acceleration (G) value = 45 degree acceleration (G) value / .7071

Manufacturing Quality Specification

The quality specification used in the manufacturing process of the ShockWatch tube is as follows:

  • U.S. Military Specification (Mil Spec)
  • Mil Spec 105D
  • 2.5% Cumulative AQL

This specification is a recognized means of statistically sampling manufactured goods and is acceptable to ISO 9001 concerned.

ShockWatch Labels, Clips and Tubes

Operating Temperature-13°F / -25°C to 176°F / 80°C
SizeLabel
3.8″/96.52mm x 3.8″/96.52mm
Double Clip
1.9″/49.52mm x 1.1″/28mm x 0.2″/4.31mm (25–37.5G)
1.6″/42.69mm x 1.1″/27.95mm x 0.1″/3.31mm (50–100G)
Mini Clip Double
1.4″/35.72mm x 0.5″/12.85mm x 0.2″/4.19mm (25–37.5G)
1.4″/35.72mm x 0.5″/12.85mm x 0.1″/2.97mm (50–100G)
SensitivityAvailable from 10 to 100G and sensitive to impacts on 360° axis
ResponsivenessResponds to single impact, omni-directional
DurationRanges 1 to 50ms
AdhesiveAcrylic
Shelf LifeScotch 468 Adhesive – 2 years from date of sale, when stored at standard temperature and pressure (20°, 1 ATM)

DropSpot

Operating Temperature-13°F / -25°C to 176°F / 80°C
Size3.5″ / 88.9mm x 3.5″ / 88.9mm x 0.2″ / 5.1mm
Sensitivity10G, 15G, 25G
ResponsivenessBidirectional only
DurationRanges 1 to 50ms
Adhesive5 mil high tack acrylic
Shelf LifeScotch 468 Adhesive – 2 years from date of sale when stored at standard temperature and pressure (20°C, 1atm)

TiltWatch

Operating Temperature– 40°F/- 40°C to +140°F/+60°C
Humidity Tolerance5% to 99% non-condensing
Size2.9″ x 2.7″ x 0.2″
Activation Angle80°+/-5% from vertical
Monitoring RangeSingle plane
CompositionRigid polystyrene housing with stainless steel indicator
InstallationPressure sensitive adhesive or holes to accommodate screws, nails, and staples
Adhesive5 mil high tack acrylic
Shelf Life2 years from date of sale

TiltWatch Plus

Operating Temperature– 40°F/- 40°C to +140°F/+60°C
Humidity Tolerance5% to 99% non-condensing
Size4.6″ x 4.6″ x 0.3″
Activation Angle10° increments from 30° axis (+/-5%)
Monitoring Range360° monitoring within a single plane
CompositionClear PTE housing and brass, non-magnetic indicator
InstallationPressure-sensitive adhesive exposed when liner and arming pin are peeled away
Adhesive1 mil high tack acrylic
Shelf Life2 years from date of sale

Impact and Environmental Recorder Specifications

ShockLog 298

Product Specification

Operating Temperature Range-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Size4.8″ / 123mm x 3.1″ / 78mm x 2.2″ / 55mm
Weight1.1lbs / 515g (without battery)
Battery2 x 3.6V Lithium Thionyl Chloride
2 x 1.5V Alkaline Size AA
Scale Factor Accuracy at 5G+/- 2%
Additional Error Other Ranges+/- 2%
Acceleration Range+/- 1 to +/- 200G
Cut-off Frequency Options (Programmable)10Hz, 40Hz, 50Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, and 250Hz
Wake-up, Warning and Alarm Threshold
(% of Range)
5–95%
Wake-Up Time0.25mS
External Power Source Option4.5V min / 30V max

Humidity / Temperature Specification

Temperature Measuring Range-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Temperature Accuracy-2 / 2°C
Humidity Measuring Range0 – 100% RH
Humidity Accuracy-3 / 3% RH
Dew Point Measuring Range-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
0-100% RH
Dew Point Accuracy-2 / 2°C

GPS Specification

Sensitivity157dBm re-acquisition
148dBm cold starting
Fast TTFF1s / 29s (Hot/Cold start)
Channels65
Hypothesis testing per second8,000,000 time-frequency
High Accuracy Position2.5m CEP
Velocity 0.1m / sec

 

RF Specification

Operating Frequency2.4GHz
Max Output PowerUp to +10dBm
Receiver Sensitivity (PER 1%)Up to -100dBm
RF Data Rate250,000bps
Pocket Data RateUp to 125kbaud

RF Base Specification

RadioZigBee Module
Transmission Frequency2.4GHz
Transmission DistanceUp to one mile
Power Levels10mW (10dB)
Data Transmission Rates115,200 baud

Tilt & Roll (Internal) Specification

Tilt Range Monitored+ / – 180°
Resolution0.1°
Transverse Sensitivity5%

 

ShockLog 298 Accessories

HPT Environmental Sensor Specification

Temperature Measuring Range-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Temperature Accuracy-2 / 2°C (1 bar unit)
-4 / 4°C (2 bar unit)
Humidity Measuring Range0 – 100% RH
Humidity Accuracy-3 / 3% RH (1 bar unit)
-6 / 6% RH (2 bar unit)
Pressure Measuring Range0 – 1.1 bar (standard)
0 – 2.1 bar (optional)
Pressure Accuracy-10 / 10 Mbar (1 bar unit)
-60 / 60 Mbar (2 bar unit)

eTrak Specifications

Operating Temperature Range-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Size6.3″ / 160mm x 9.8″ / 250mm x 1.6″ / 40mm
Weight1.53 lbs / 696g
RegionsGlobal provided GSM network coverage available

ShockLog 248

Product Specifications

Operating Temperature Range-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Size3.3″ / 84mm x 3.3″ / 84mm x 2.2″ / 55mm
Weight1.1lbs / 445g (without battery)
Battery1 x 3.6V Lithium Thionyl Chloride
1 x 1.5V Alkaline Size AA
Battery Life12 months
Scale Factor Accuracy at 5G+/- 2%
Acceleration Range+/- 10G, +/- 30G, +/- 100G
Cut-off Frequency Options (Factory Set)40Hz, 90Hz, and 250Hz
Wake-up, Warning and Alarm Threshold (% of Range)5–95%
Wake-Up Time0.25mS

Factory Fit Specifications – Humitidy/Temperature

Humidity0-100% RH
Temperature-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Dew Point-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
0-100% RH

ShockLog 208

Product Specifications

Operating Temperature Range-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Size3.3″ / 84mm x 3.3″ / 84mm x 2.2″ / 55mm
Weight1.1lbs / 445g (without battery)
Battery1 x 3.6V Lithium Thionyl Chloride
1 x 1.5V Alkaline Size AA
Case MaterialAluminum
Acceleration Range+/- 10G, +/- 30G, +/- 100G
Cut-off Frequency Options (Factory Set)40Hz, 90Hz, and 250Hz
Time Slot Length10 seconds to 1 hour

Factory Fit Specifications – Humitidy/Temperature

Humidity0-100% RH
Temperature-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
Dew Point-40°F / -40°C to 185°F / 85°C
0-100% RH

 

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