An apparatus is provided for use as an onboard monitor and warning system attached to a fiberglas boom to detect potentially hazardous loads by detecting and counting acoustic emissions produced in the boom by the breakage of glass fibers. The monitor and warning system produce a warning signal when the number of acoustic emissions detected in a selected period of time indicates the existence of a potentially hazardous load. The apparatus includes a piezoelectric transducer which may be placed in contact with the surface of the fiberglas to produce electrical signals corresponding to pressure waves detected in the fiberglas. Apparatus is provided for distinguishing by the electrical signals those pressure waves which are acoustic emissions associated with the breakage of glass fibers from all other pressure waves. Further apparatus is provided for counting each electrical signal associated with fiber breakage, for selecting a period of time during which the electrical signals associated with fiber breakage will be accumulated, and for producing a warning signal when the number of electrical signals associated with fiber breakage during the selected time period indicates the existence of a potentially hazardous load.
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