This breakout board is the simplest way to create a project with a single “toggle” capacitive touch sensor. No microcontroller is required here – just power with 1.8 to 5.5VDC and touch the pad to activate the sensor.

This sensor is a toggle output type: touch-on then touch-off. That means that when a capacitive load is detected (e.g. a person touches the sensor-pad area) the red LED will alternate turning off and the output pin will go high or low, respectively. This sensor is good for a project where you want to activate something on the first touch, and then deactivate it when touching again, like a switch. You can also solder a wire to the middle pad and create your own capacitive pad if the built-in one isn’t suited to your project.

If you want to save power, the LED can be disconnected from the output pin (cut the trace between the jumper marked as such). We designed this breakout to have infinite time-out. The chip does support having the sensor time-out, so for example, if something is turned on, it will eventually turn off on its own. If you’d like to use this mode, cut the TIMER jumper and then connect a resistor/capacitor to the TIME pin. Check the datasheet for how to calculate the TIME pin to match your desired timeout.

Comes with a fully assembled board, and a small stick of 0.1″ header so you can solder and plug it into a breadboard. For additional contacts, we suggest using copper foil, then solder a wire that connects from the foil pad to the breakout.

The datasheet has many details on sensitivity, power usage, etc.

Revision History

As of July 25th, 2024 We’ve updated this PCB with Adafruit Pinguin to make a lovely and legible silkscreen.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 20mm x 29.35mm
• Weight: 2.03g

Resources

• Tutorial and Downloads

This breakout board is the simplest way to create a project with a single “toggle” capacitive touch sensor. No microcontroller is required simply power with 1.8 to 5.5VDC and touch the pad to activate the sensor.

The sensor output toggles on and off with each touch. When a capacitive load (e.g., a finger) is detected, the red LED alternates turning off and the output pin switches high or low. It functions like a toggle switch: touch once to activate and again to deactivate. You can customize the capacitive pad by soldering a wire to the middle pad if your project requires a different sensing area.

Power saving is possible by disconnecting the LED from the output pin (cut the marked trace). The breakout supports an infinite timeout by default, but you can enable sensor timeout by cutting the TIMER jumper and connecting a resistor and capacitor to the TIME pin as detailed in the datasheet.

Comes fully assembled with a short 0.1″ header for breadboard compatibility. For extended contacts, copper foil tape is recommended, soldered to the breakout via wire.

• Operating voltage: 1.8V to 5.5V DC
• Toggle capacitive touch sensor with LED indicator
• No microcontroller needed
• Customizable capacitive pad via middle pad
• Power-saving LED disconnect option
• Supports sensor timeout mode with additional components
• Fully assembled breakout board with header
• Compact size appropriate for various projects

Datasheet and technical details available here.