This sensor is designed by Sparkfun based on Microchip CAP1203 IC. It can act as a 3 channel capacitive touch sensor or as a capacitive slider (in both directions). It has 3 different capacitive touch inputs which you can program separately or program them as one slider that detect the swipe of your finger. The capacitive touch slider module has 3 pins (Cs1, Cs2, Cs3) where each one of them is connected to corresponding touch pad.
You do not have to touch the pad with your finger directly to make it work. You can place it under wood, acrylic, thick paper or almost and cover up to 6 mm thick and still work when you pass your finger. This way you can use it as hidden push buttons or slider.
Working principle of capacitive touch sensor
Capacitive touch sensor contains two parallel conductors with an insulator between them. These conductor plates act as a capacitor with specific capacitance value. When these conductor plates come in contact with our fingers, our finger acts as a conductive object and it will change the capacitance value at the position of touching. A capacitance measuring circuit continuously measures the capacitance of the sensor. When this circuit detects a change in capacitance it generates a signal.
- 3 unique capacitive touch inputs
- Bi-directional slider
- 3.3V to 5.5V Supply
- Programmable sensitivity