Touch Switch vs Membrane Switch: What's the Difference?
Electrical switches are designed to create an open or closed electrical circuit via user controls. When a user presses his or her finger on a switch, the switch deforms to create a closed circuit. When the user releases his or her finger, the circuit opens. This otherwise simple process is used to power a variety of devices, including computers, remote controls, lamps, smart appliances and more. There are different types of switches, however, including touch switches and membrane switches. Although they work in a similar manner, touch switches and membrane switches have their own unique characteristics.
Overview of Membrane Switches
A membrane switch is a special type of electrical switch that contains one or more contacts made of a flexible substrate. They typically feature four layers. The top layer is a graphic interface on which logos and buttons are printed. Beneath it is a printed circuit, typically made of conductive material like PET or ITO. Because of their flexible qualities, membrane switches are ideal for use in small devices. Furthermore, they support a variety of backlighting options, including light-emitting diode (LED), electroluminescent (EL) and optical fiber.
Overview of Touch Switches
A touch switch performs the same basic operation as a membrane switch - and all other switches - by creating an open or closed electrical circuit. The way in which it accomplishes this, however, differs from its membrane counterpart. Touch switches live up to their namesake by supporting touch-based controls. In fact, touch switches are even used in touchscreen devices specifically for this reason.
