Mechanical vs Capacitive Switches: What's the Difference?

When shopping for switches, you may come across mechanical and capacitive. Switches, of course, are found in countless electronic devices. Consisting of the conductive pathways, they are used to control a circuit. While some switches are mechanical, however, others are capacitive. What's the difference between mechanical and capacitive switches exactly?

What Is a Mechanical Switch?

A mechanical switch is a type of circuit-controlling component that uses a mechanical method of operation. As previously mentioned, all switches are designed to control a circuit. They can either allow electricity to travel through their respective conductive pathways, or they can disrupt the flow of electricity. In the former scenario, the circuit will be closed. In the latter scenario, the circuit will be open. Mechanical switches simply use a mechanical method of operation that involves moving parts.

What Is a Capacitive Switch?

A capacitive switch is a type of circuit-controlling component that uses a capacitive, touch-based method of operation. Capacitive switches control circuits just like their mechanical counterparts. Rather than using a mechanical method of operation, though, they leverage the same capacitive technology as certain touchscreen devices.

There are capacitive touchscreens devices available. Tablet computers and smartphones, for example, often use capacitive technology. Capacitive switches leverage this same technology to control a circuit. They don't have moving parts. Instead, capacitive switches have an interface that responds to touch commands.