WHAT IS A CAPACITIVE TOUCH SWITCH?

Touch switches are a type of switch typically activated by the touch of a human operator. There are three main types of touch switch: Capacitive Resistive Piezo For the purpose of this article, we are focusing on capacitive. Capacitive or capacitance switches work by detecting changes in capacitance or electrical charge. The human body generates an electrical charge and this is detected when you touch the surface of the switch. The capacitance increases and the switch activates, responding with the appropriate action. Alan Butcher Components has introduced a range of panel mount capacitive touch switches. Highly durable, these products are dirt, dust and moisture resistive. With no moving parts, they have a long lifespan and are easily maintained. Typical Applications for Touch Switches: Medical and food products (can be operated using medical gloves) Domestic appliances – aesthetically attractive switches which appeal to consumers Vending machines Industrial control panels Infotainment centres Key Features/Switch Options: Electrical endurance: 50,000,000 cycles Cut-outs: 16mm, 19mm, 22mm Momentary or Latching function IP68 / IK10 LED illumination – single or dual (also available with a 30 second time delay) Colours: Green/Red/Blue/Orange/White Operating voltages: 5VDC / 12VDC /24VDC Internal resistor In our experience, customer requirements for touch switches are often very specific to individual applications. The available switch options offer significant choice for the design engineer. MOQs are relatively low so there is no need to compromise on the switch you want. Lead-times are usually 4-6 weeks from receipt of order. These switches make a significant visual impact. If you want your design to make a statement, then look no further than the AB-TS-AV range of capacitive touch switches.