These piezoelectric pressure sensors are applied for measurements of pressure shock waves in air. They are ideally suited for free-field shock wave measurement and have an efficient handling thanks to IEPE technology.
The Kistler 6233B is a quartz pencil probe for measuring side-on blast pressure in free-field explosive testing. It has a rise time below 1 µs and a natural frequency above 400 kHz. Built-in IEPE electronics drive cables several hundred meters long, and the probe comes in five ranges from 25 to 1,000 psi (1.7 to 69 bar).
Five measuring ranges: 25, 50, 250, 500, and 1,000 psi (1.7, 3.4, 17, 34, and 69 bar)
The 6233B pencil probes are piezoelectric pressure sensors for measuring pressure shock waves in air. They are ideally suited for free-field shock wave measurement, and IEPE technology makes them efficient to handle.
The pencil probes of Type 6233B are specifically designed to measure dynamic pressures in free-field pressure applications and shock wave propagation. Piezoelectric technology is ideally suited to measure highly dynamic pressure signals over a wide range of pressures. Measuring ranges can be selected from 25 to 1,000 psi to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. The characteristic pencil shape minimizes the influence of the sensor geometry on the blast wave propagation and on the measured pressure signal.
The probe is pointed radially at the center of the explosion and measures the side-on pressure of the propagating blast wave. Side-on measurement is least affected by reflections and superposition of pressure waves, which makes pencil probes most effective where the direction of shock wave propagation is clearly defined. With its rugged design, acceleration compensation, and minimal bending sensitivity, the 6233B is tailored to give very accurate pressure signals in very hostile environments. Thermal protection foil Type 1191AAA10 reduces the effects of thermal shock by a factor of 10.
Why engineers pick it
Fast enough for blast fronts. A rise time below 1 µs and a natural frequency above 400 kHz capture the shock front of a blast wave.
Long cable runs from a safe distance. The integrated IEPE amplifier converts the quartz charge signal to a low-impedance voltage (<80 Ω), able to drive cables several hundred meters long.
Built for hostile environments. Acceleration compensation (<0.03 psi/g), minimal bending sensitivity, and shock resistance to 2,000 g keep the signal clean when the probe and its mount are hit by the blast.
Thermal shock control included. The included thermal protection foil, Type 1191AAA10, reduces thermal shock effects by a factor of 10.
Which 6233B do I need?
Range
Sensitivity, nom. (±20%)
Resolution
Time constant
25 psi (1.7 bar)
200 mV/psi (2,900 mV/bar)
0.007 psi rms (0.5 mbar rms)
0.6 s
50 psi (3.4 bar)
100 mV/psi (1,450 mV/bar)
0.01 psi rms (0.7 mbar rms)
1.2 s
250 psi (17 bar)
20 mV/psi (290 mV/bar)
0.05 psi rms (3.4 mbar rms)
1.2 s
500 psi (34 bar)
10 mV/psi (145 mV/bar)
0.1 psi rms (6.9 mbar rms)
2.4 s
1,000 psi (69 bar)
5 mV/psi (72 mV/bar)
0.2 psi rms (13.8 mbar rms)
4.8 s
Choose the lowest range that covers the expected peak side-on pressure for the best resolution. Every range has a mechanical overload of 5,000 psi (350 bar).
The output is ordered as one of three versions:
A: one sensing element, BNC output
B: one sensing element, KIAG 10-32 output
D: three sensing elements, MicroCom output, supplied with a 5 m MicroCom-to-3×BNC cable (Type 1773B5)
How is the 6233B mounted?
The probe mounts on a tripod with tripod adapter Type 6550A10 (1/4-20 UNC thread), or on an extended pipe fixation with pipe adapter Type 6550A20 (M22x1, includes clamping block and rings). Spare clamping blocks (6550A22), clamping rings (6550A50, set of 100), and a thread cutter for the pipe adapter (6550A60) are available. The probe is powered by any IEPE supply delivering 22 … 30 VDC at 2 … 20 mA.
When is the 6233B the wrong choice?
Unknown blast direction. A pencil probe must point radially at the center of the explosion. It is most effective where the direction of shock wave propagation is clearly defined.
Long-duration pressure. Time constants range from 0.6 s on the 25 psi range to 4.8 s on the 1,000 psi range, which limits how long a quasi-static pressure can be held.
6233B FAQ
The side-on pressure of a propagating blast wave, with the probe pointed radially at the center of the explosion.
25, 50, 250, 500, and 1,000 psi (1.7, 3.4, 17, 34, and 69 bar).
The integrated IEPE electronics can drive cables several hundred meters long.
Less than 1 µs, with a typical sensing element natural frequency above 400 kHz.
Apply the included thermal protection foil, Type 1191AAA10, which reduces thermal shock effects by a factor of 10.
A BNC connector cap (1851), tip protection (65008380), and a set of 100 adhesive thermal protection discs (1191AAA10). The three-element 6233BD also includes a 5 m MicroCom-to-3×BNC cable (1773B5).
Configure and order the 6233B
Configure the 6233B by output version and pressure range, add the mounting accessories you need, and order directly on this page. For questions, contact us.
