Projected vs Surface Capacitive Touchscreens

What Is Projected Capacitive?

Like surface capacitive, projected capacitive is a type of touchscreen technology that detects touch commands by measuring capacitance. Both types of touchscreen technology create a uniform electrostatic field that, when touched, results in a lower voltage. With that said, projected capacitive differs in a few key ways.

The primary difference between projected capacitive and surface capacitive touchscreens is that the latter uses two layers of electrodes whereas the former uses a single layer of electrodes. Although there are numerous ways to design and configure a projected capacitive touchscreen, most feature columns and rows of intersecting electrodes. One of the two layers features rows of electrodes, while the other layer features columns of electrodes. When placed together, the two layers create a grid-like formation of intersecting electrodes.

Because of their unique design featuring intersecting electrodes, projected capacitive touchscreens are more responsive to touch commands than their surface capacitive counterparts. Many projected capacitive touchscreens, in fact, will register touch commands through thin gloves - a feature that's not found in surface capacitive touchscreens.

Furthermore, only projected capacitive touchscreens support multi-touch commands. With that said, projected capacitive touchscreens typically cost more than surface capacitive touchscreens, which may deter some consumers and business owners from choosing them.