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  1. Parts
  2. /Input & controls
  3. /Touch sensors

Linear SoftPot (Ribbon Sensor)

OverviewWiringAlternates
Linear SoftPot (Ribbon Sensor) - Adafruit - 178

Linear resistive ribbon sensor with nominal 10 kΩ across the outer leads; center wiper voltage indicates press position. Wiper floats when not pressed — use a ~100 kΩ pull-up. Drive with series resistors from GND and Vcc (3–5 V); output ranges from 1/3 to 2/3 Vcc.

Parts tray full · 5 max · remove a part to add another
Linear SoftPot (Ribbon Sensor) — Adafruit — 178

Offers

  • Adafruit$12.50

Offers

  • Adafruit$12.50

Pinout

  • End terminal A

    One outer lead of the SoftPot. Adafruit states there is nominal 10K resistance across the two outer leads and recommends connecting one side pin to ground via a 10K series resistor.

    Type · passiveVoltage · Use through series resistor; do not connect directly to ground or power, per Adafruit product page.
  • Wiper / middle pin2

    Middle pin resistance changes with press position on the strip. Adafruit states this is the pin to read as analogue voltage and that it floats when no pressure is applied.

    Type · analogVoltage · Reads approximately 1/3 Vcc to 2/3 Vcc in Adafruit example circuit.
  • End terminal B

    Other outer lead of the SoftPot. Adafruit recommends connecting the other side pin to Vcc via a different 10K series resistor.

    Type · powerVoltage · Vcc example 3V or 5V through series resistor; do not connect directly to ground or power, per Adafruit product page.
PinPositionTypeFunctionVoltage
End terminal ApassiveOne outer lead of the SoftPot. Adafruit states there is nominal 10K resistance across the two outer leads and recommends connecting one side pin to ground via a 10K series resistor.Use through series resistor; do not connect directly to ground or power, per Adafruit product page.
Wiper / middle pin2analogMiddle pin resistance changes with press position on the strip. Adafruit states this is the pin to read as analogue voltage and that it floats when no pressure is applied.Reads approximately 1/3 Vcc to 2/3 Vcc in Adafruit example circuit.
End terminal BpowerOther outer lead of the SoftPot. Adafruit recommends connecting the other side pin to Vcc via a different 10K series resistor.Vcc example 3V or 5V through series resistor; do not connect directly to ground or power, per Adafruit product page.

Start wiring

I2C · SPI · Single data line · 3.3 – 5 V · Breakout

Verify supply voltage and logic levels before powering up.

Module pins: End terminal B, Wiper / middle pin. Schematik maps them to your board in the app.

Touch

13 other options

MPR121, CAP1188, CAP1203 Qwiic slider and AT42QT breakouts are sensor ICs for electrodes you wire yourself. Simple single-pad modules like the TTP223B give you one digital output with no bus required.

View all 13
  • Adafruit 12-Key Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - MPR121 [STEMMA QT] visual preview

    Adafruit 12-Key Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - MPR121 [STEMMA QT]

  • BOSON: Capacitive Touch Sensor i8 visual preview

    BOSON: Capacitive Touch Sensor i8

  • CAP1188 - 8-Key Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - I2C or SPI visual preview

    CAP1188 - 8-Key Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - I2C or SPI

  • Capacitive Touch Kit for Arduino visual preview

    Capacitive Touch Kit for Arduino

  • Electronic Brick - Touch Sensor Module visual preview

    Electronic Brick - Touch Sensor Module

  • Gravity: Digital Capacitive Touch Sensor for Arduino visual preview

    Gravity: Digital Capacitive Touch Sensor for Arduino

  • Gravity: Gesture & Touch Sensor (UART, 7 Gestures, 0~30cm) visual preview

    Gravity: Gesture & Touch Sensor (UART, 7 Gestures, 0~30cm)

  • Gravity: Mini Touch Kit visual preview

    Gravity: Mini Touch Kit

  • Grove - Touch Sensor visual preview

    Grove - Touch Sensor

  • SparkFun Capacitive Touch Slider - CAP1203 (Qwiic) visual preview

    SparkFun Capacitive Touch Slider - CAP1203 (Qwiic)

  • Standalone 5-Pad Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - AT42QT1070 visual preview

    Standalone 5-Pad Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - AT42QT1070

  • Standalone Momentary Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout [AT42QT1010] visual preview

    Standalone Momentary Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout [AT42QT1010]

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