Touch arcs, also known as touch switches, are integral elements in most everyday electronics and electric appliances. Seen on such items, as coffee makers, hair dryers, refrigerators and novelty items, the touch arc is essential in electrical systems.
A touch arc consists of two plates, called switches, which, when touched, create a connection and activate the electrical current. This occurs because of the interaction between the two plates, referred to as capacitance. Capacitance, in electrical terms, is the alternating current measurement between two objects with a space between them. The total capacitance and current flow, altogether, form what is called the “touch arc effect.”
Capacitance is measured by the size and distance of the two plates. For example, the larger and further apart the two plates, the higher the capacitance. Likewise, a smaller and closer together the plates, the lower the capacitance. Capacitance is measured in Farads, named after the English scientist Michael Faraday, and is a symbol to represent the storing of electrical power. When capacitance is present, the measurement is a negative value, as opposed to positive, which represents the flow of current.
The capabilities of a touch arc have made them ideal for use in a variety of settings. For instance, the automobile industry utilizes touch arcs to operate door locks, while medical settings rely on them in life-sustaining equipment. Consumer goods, such as cameras, lamps and phones, employ touch arcs to detect and limit their power flow. Security systems, as well, make use of the arc’s ability to activate an alarm when touched a certain way.
Though simple in design and function, touch arcs are an essential part of the electrical equipment our lives are powered by. Unseen and silent, they provide the electric current our lives depend on.
