What Is a Surface Capacitive Touchscreen?

Capacitive has dethroned resistive to become the world's most popular touchscreen technology. Statistics show over nine in 10 of all newly manufactured touchscreens are powered by capacitive technology.

There are several types of capacitive technology, however, including surface. Surface capacitive follows the same basic principles as other capacitive technologies. It creates a uniform electrostatic field, which it measures to detect touch commands. What is a surface capacitive touchscreen exactly, and how do they differ from other touchscreens?

Surface Capacitive Defined

The term "surface capacitive" refers to a type of touchscreen technology that uses an electrostatic field with a conductive-coated layer to detect touch commands. Surface capacitive touchscreens feature a top layer. This top layer is coated with a conductive material. When turned on, surface capacitive touchscreens will apply a voltage to the top layer. Therefore, touching or tapping the display interface will draw some of the voltage to your finger.

Surface Capacitive vs Projected Capacitive

Surface capacitive touchscreens aren't the same as projected capacitive touchscreens. While they both rely on capacitance to detect touch commands, they work in different ways.

Projected capacitive touchscreens are characterized by the use of intelligent processing. They feature sensors that are able to detect touch commands with a superior level of sensitivity. The downside to projected capacitive technology, however, is the cost. Projected capacitive touchscreens typically cost more than surface capacitive touchscreens.