Touch Switch

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A touch switch is a switch that is turned on and off by touching a wire contact, instead of flicking a lever like a regular switch. Touch switches have no mechanical parts to wear out, so they last a lot longer than regular switches. Touch switches can be used in places where regular switches would not last, such as wet or very dusty areas.

Schematic

Parts

Part	Total Qty.	Description	Substitutions
C1	1	10uF 16V Electrolytic Capacitor
R1, R2	2	100K 1/4 Watt Resistor
R3	1	10 Meg 1/4 Watt Resistor
U1	1	4011 CMOS NAND Gate IC
MISC	1	Board, Wire, Socket For U1

Notes

The contacts an be made with just two loops of wire close together, or two squares etched close together on a PC board.

When activated, the output of the circuit goes high for about one second. This pulse can be used to drive a relay, transistor, other logic, etc.

You can vary the length of the output pulse by using a smaller or larger capacitor for C1.

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Comments

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Dave Touch Switch Sunday, March 17, 2013 1:10:05 PM

The touch plate works great but it turn something on for as long as you hold it, so it is not a switch.

anonymous Touch Switch Friday, July 06, 2012 12:53:04 PM

Is there a way to make the switch work with a 40 volt power supply. I have LED's that are installed in series and they require around 40 volts.

jay Touch Switch Tuesday, March 09, 2010 8:00:02 AM

i need help!!!!!! how will be the out put taken and how will be the in put given their is only one out put terminal if i want connect a led how can i connect and a switch needs a input supply where should i give in put can i use ic7400 for nand gate please help me its urgent thank u

anonymous Touch Switch Saturday, February 06, 2010 10:28:44 PM

I need this to work with batteries... 3.7v, 6v, and 7.2v... all pushing up to 2amps. How can I configure this to work with all three situations?

Godofredo Gregorio Jr. Touch Switch Monday, June 15, 2009 11:27:16 PM

It's so useful. We can use it in many different way. It can be a touch switch to a 220volt lamp with a 220volt, 5amp relay connected at the output of the circiut. It's great in everyday use.... JonjonGregorio-Philippines

anonymous Touch Switch Monday, February 16, 2009 11:21:20 AM

what the output is going to be?? can i put an led to know if the circuit is working or not?? does the circuit working by touching wires by fingers or what?? any one knows the answers, please tell me cuz i am doing this device at the moment. thnks alot.

cuan Touch Switch Monday, February 16, 2009 11:08:33 AM

can i make a touch switch using two scr??? if can then how does it work. and the circuit only power by dc voltage so i have a hard time to turn off the scr.. only one touch switch is needed and the touch switch use to turn and off the bulb

anonymous Touch Switch Tuesday, December 23, 2008 10:02:21 AM

What am i going to do inorder to make the touch switch just like any other ordinary switches which "on" state is permanent unless it is turned off???

gardenyu Touch Switch Friday, November 07, 2008 5:17:59 PM

I wonder where can I buy a fairly big touch switch? ( about 1 to 2 inch diameter)?

anonymous Touch Switch Monday, October 27, 2008 3:59:51 AM

i was thinking about adding one of these touch switches to my shaved door handles, so all you do isun lock the car and hit the touch switch . probally mount it behind a window or where the door handle used to be.

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Dave	Touch Switch	Sunday, March 17, 2013 1:10:05 PM
The touch plate works great but it turn something on for as long as you hold it, so it is not a switch.
anonymous	Touch Switch	Friday, July 06, 2012 12:53:04 PM
Is there a way to make the switch work with a 40 volt power supply. I have LED's that are installed in series and they require around 40 volts.
jay	Touch Switch	Tuesday, March 09, 2010 8:00:02 AM
i need help!!!!!! how will be the out put taken and how will be the in put given their is only one out put terminal if i want connect a led how can i connect and a switch needs a input supply where should i give in put can i use ic7400 for nand gate please help me its urgent thank u
anonymous	Touch Switch	Saturday, February 06, 2010 10:28:44 PM
I need this to work with batteries... 3.7v, 6v, and 7.2v... all pushing up to 2amps. How can I configure this to work with all three situations?
Godofredo Gregorio Jr.	Touch Switch	Monday, June 15, 2009 11:27:16 PM
It's so useful. We can use it in many different way. It can be a touch switch to a 220volt lamp with a 220volt, 5amp relay connected at the output of the circiut. It's great in everyday use.... JonjonGregorio-Philippines
anonymous	Touch Switch	Monday, February 16, 2009 11:21:20 AM
what the output is going to be?? can i put an led to know if the circuit is working or not?? does the circuit working by touching wires by fingers or what?? any one knows the answers, please tell me cuz i am doing this device at the moment. thnks alot.
cuan	Touch Switch	Monday, February 16, 2009 11:08:33 AM
can i make a touch switch using two scr??? if can then how does it work. and the circuit only power by dc voltage so i have a hard time to turn off the scr.. only one touch switch is needed and the touch switch use to turn and off the bulb
anonymous	Touch Switch	Tuesday, December 23, 2008 10:02:21 AM
What am i going to do inorder to make the touch switch just like any other ordinary switches which "on" state is permanent unless it is turned off???
gardenyu	Touch Switch	Friday, November 07, 2008 5:17:59 PM
I wonder where can I buy a fairly big touch switch? ( about 1 to 2 inch diameter)?
anonymous	Touch Switch	Monday, October 27, 2008 3:59:51 AM
i was thinking about adding one of these touch switches to my shaved door handles, so all you do isun lock the car and hit the touch switch . probally mount it behind a window or where the door handle used to be.