Shock sensors are among the simplest yet most reliable ways to monitor impact during transport, handling, or testing. But in a market full of indicators, loggers, and trackers, technical users often ask:
What type do I need? How accurate are they? And how do I make sense of the data? Here are ten expert-level answers that go beyond the basics—explained through the capabilities of IOG shock sensors and recorders.

1. What does a shock sensor actually measure?

A shock sensor detects rapid acceleration or deceleration, usually expressed in g-force (g). The device identifies how hard an object was hit, dropped, or vibrated.
  • IOG sensors record both magnitude and direction of the force.
  • In the case of the Digi-Shock XR, each event is time-stamped and stored for post-shipment analysis.
  • For passive units (like IOG’s mechanical indicators), the device visually activates once a set g-threshold is exceeded.

2. What are the main types of shock sensors?

There are four main categories:
  • Mechanical indicators (one-time activation)
  • Analog recorders (mechanical trace on chart paper)
  • Digital recorders (multi-axis, internal memory)
  • IoT-connected sensors (real-time data and alerts)
IOG manufactures all four. Each product type serves a different engineering purpose — from simple mishandling detection to high-resolution performance analysis.

3. When should I use a mechanical shock indicator instead of a digital sensor?

Choose mechanical indicators when you only need confirmation of mishandling, not detailed data.
  • Perfect for large-volume shipments.
  • Cost-effective and maintenance-free.
  • IOG’s impact labels and mechanical devices are calibrated for specific g-ranges (typically 10g–100g).
If you need to analyze why the event occurred or its exact timing, move to a digital recorder like IOG’s Digi-Shock XR.

4. How accurate are shock sensors?

Accuracy depends on sensor type, calibration, and sampling rate.
  • IOG’s digital sensors feature tri-axial accelerometers with configurable sampling rates up to 1,000 Hz, capturing microsecond-scale events.
  • Even the analog recorders maintain a ±10% accuracy over long durations, verified through calibration checks.
Accuracy matters most when you’re correlating impact data with packaging test profiles (ISTA, ASTM).
10 Essential Questions About Shock Sensors

5. How do shock sensors help in packaging validation?

Shock sensors verify whether packaging performs as designed.
  • During drop and vibration testing, they record the exact g-forces transmitted to the product.
  • In live shipments, IOG recorders provide real-world correlation to ISTA lab results.
This feedback loop helps packaging engineers optimize materials, padding density, and pallet structure — reducing claims and overpackaging.

6. Can I use shock sensors to identify where damage occurred?

Yes — if the device records time and event sequence.
  • IOG’s Digi-Shock and SmartShip Live models log every impact with timestamp and duration, enabling event traceability.
  • When combined with route data (IoT model), you can pinpoint the handling stage responsible for the damage — during loading, transfer, or final delivery.
This is crucial for claim resolution and contractor accountability.

7. How durable are shock sensors in real logistics environments?

IOG designs all recorders for harsh industrial conditions:
  • Operational temperature: -20°C to +70°C.
  • Aluminum or reinforced polymer housings.
  • Shock-resistant internal mounting to avoid self-triggering.
  • Battery life up to 6 months continuous operation.
These specs make them suitable for heavy equipment, aerospace, and energy logistics — where digital consumer-grade sensors often fail.

8. What data do I actually get from a digital shock sensor?

From IOG’s Digi-Shock series, you can extract:
  • Peak g-force per event
  • Axis direction (X, Y, Z)
  • Event duration and timestamp
  • Temperature (optional)
  • Total number of shock events
  • Max and average vibration levels
Data is downloaded via USB or Bluetooth, exported to CSV or PDF, and easily integrated into QA systems.

9. Are shock sensors reusable?

Yes — IOG’s digital and analog recorders are fully reusable.
  • Resettable and recalibrated for the next shipment.
  • Ideal for recurring logistics or product testing programs.
Mechanical single-use indicators are disposable, but cost-effective for large shipment volumes.

10. How do I select the right IOG shock sensor for my application?

How do I select the right IOG shock sensor for my application?

Application Recommended Device Key Features
Large freight shipments IOG Impact Label Low-cost visual alert, preset g threshold
Packaging validation testing IOG M-Series Recorder Analog chart, 3-axis mechanical recording
R&D or lab testing IOG Digi-Shock XR High-resolution, digital data export
Real-time logistics visibility IOG SmartShip Live IoT connectivity, live alerts, GPS + sensor fusion

Choosing the right sensor depends on:

  • Product fragility

  • Transport duration

  • Data requirement (indicator vs. analytics)

  • Connectivity access

Summary
Shock sensors have evolved from simple detection devices into critical data tools for impact management. With our portfolio of mechanical, analog, digital, and IoT-based solutions, IOG provides technical teams the flexibility to monitor, validate, and protect shipments with the right level of intelligence for every application — from drop testing to live global tracking. Talk to our Sales to begin designing your custom monitoring plan.