In this work, the fundamental principles of triboelectric energy nanogenerators (TENGs) from the electromagnetic perspective of the effective fields by using the Maxwell’s equations are presented. As an application of triboelectric sensors, the use of triboelectric energy generators as seismic detectors is described. In this application, the electrical energy generation of the TENG from the mechanical energy produced through motion, using the transfer energy function and the Laplace transform, is mathematically explained. In addition, the force damping harmonic model to demonstrate the application of the TENG as a TENG seismic sensor is shown. Magnitudes such as force, acceleration, velocity and displacement could be theoretically calculated. The frequency spectrum was used to determine the resonance frequencies at the same time that amplitude and force values of the seismic waves detected in time and in frequency space could be calculated. Experimental measurements were performed with a traction/compression mechanical testing machine and the electronic set-up consisted of a voltage follower, signal amplification, and filtering. A clear tendency toward linearity as a function of displacement was obtained. Voltage pulses were generated when testing machine jaws with the triboelectric layers were approaching and separating, with these layers being charged by contact and by induction. As a result of this study, the application of the TENGs as sensitive seismic sensors without the need of any battery was demonstrated.