Touch Buttons

Since CAPTRON was founded in 1983, we have been specializing in capacitive technology. The first capacitive switches with touch sensor technology from CAPTRON were used in 1994 for public transportation. Today, CAPTRON offers a wide range of capacitive touch buttons for various industries and applications where unconditional reliability, durability, comfort and design are required.

Compared to mechanical switches, capacitive buttons have no moving or wearing parts, thus are extremely reliable and exceptionally durable. Because of these features, CAPTRON’s touch buttons became widely installed throughout traffic and mass transit applications beginning in Germany and then across the world.

Since they are highly sensitive to touch, capacitive touch buttons are also easy to operate for children and people with limited mobility. Intelligent technology prevents unintentional switching due to rain, frost or dirt. They are also vandal-proof. Rated for over 100 million cycles. Install once. Replace never.

As customer needs evolved, so did CAPTRON buttons. In 2010, the aesthetically pleasing CANEO series10 SENSORswitches earned the distinction of iF Design of the Year.

Meet the new standard in Industrial Controls

Our Capacitive Touch Buttons combine sleek, modern design with full configurability via IO-Link. Configure anything you need — switch sensitivity, actuation type, minimum actuation time, and even select from 16 million color options to match your application. Prefer a discrete setup? No problem — it works just as well without IO-Link.

Robust. Intuitive. Efficient.

In many industrial environments, devices are exposed to extreme conditions. The display with touch button function has a robust design and is resistant to shocks, vibrations, oils and temperature fluctuations. This robustness ensures reliable performance even under difficult conditions.

The intuitive user interface ensures simple operation and enables you and other users to interact quickly and efficiently with machines and processes.

An outstanding feature of the display is its ability to show users process steps or errors exactly where they occur. This makes it easier to be more efficient and/or diagnose and respond to problems immediately. These application-related displays ensure that users are not only informed but can also take targeted action, maximizing uptime and further increasing efficiency.

Versatile Sizing

FAQs

What is capacitive technology and why is it important?

A capacitive sensor detects changes in electrical capacitance between its surface and the surrounding environment. When a hand—or any conductive object—approaches the button, it increases the capacitance and triggers an output signal.

The touch button generates an electric field across its sensing area, which constantly monitors for changes. When a hand disrupts this field significantly, the built-in software recognizes the shift and activates a switching response.

Since the human body is mostly water and highly conductive, it interacts very effectively with capacitive sensors—making it ideal for use with touch button technology.

Compared to mechanical switches, capacitive buttons have no moving or wearing parts, thus are extremely reliable and exceptionally durable.

Install once. Replace never.

What is the Ingress Protection (IP) rating?

CANEO series10 is rated IP69K.

IP69K ensures the device won’t fail when exposed to:

  • High-pressure jets (up to ~100 bar / 1450 psi)
  • High temperatures (up to 80°C / 176°F)
  • Short distance spray (~4–6 inches)
  • Multiple spray angles (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°)

If a device can handle all of that, it can handle your washdown.

Will the buttons activate during washdown?

The CANEO series10 hygienic touch button will activate during washdown.

We recommend disabling button function or powering down your control systems before washdown.

What if the button triggers unexpectedly during installation?

This is usually caused by insufficient grounding.

Make sure the button is firmly mounted and the panel is grounded—this ensures proper sensitivity. Once secured, the device functions normally.

What are the differences between sensor modes?

The CANEO series10 touch buttons offers three different sensor modes:

Dynamic: The discrete signal is limited to x milliseconds when the sensor area is activated. Default mode is 300 milliseconds and can be configured via IO-Link.

Momentary/Static: The discrete signal is continuously on as long as the sensor area is activated.

Maintain/Toggle/Flip Flop: The discrete signal turns on when the sensor area is touched and stays on until the sensor area is touched again.

What are the differences between input modes?

All CANEO buttons are either M12, 5-pin or stranded. Depending on the input mode set, certain wires are used or left unused.

Automatic: (3-pin) LED is a set color when it’s idle and can be an alternately configured color when it’s touched.

Semi-Automatic: (4-pin) Idle LED is controlled by an output signal. Ideal when you would like to display a flashing signal to prompt the user to touch the button. An alternatively configured color is activated when touched.

Manual: (5-pin) Both LED colors are configured and controlled by an output signal.

Are the buttons configurable?

Our Capacitive Touch Buttons combine sleek, modern design with full configurability via IO-Link.

Configure anything you need — switch sensitivity, actuation type, minimum actuation time, and even select from 16 million color options to match your application.

Prefer a discrete setup? No problem — it works just as well without IO-Link.

Are the button symbols programmable?

No. The button symbols are permanently engraved and cannot be changed or programmed.

Can I use the button discretely or do I need to work within IO-Link?

Yes, you can use the CANEO series10 either discretely (directly wired to a controller) or with IO-Link, a point-to-point communication protocol.

IO-Link offers advantages like remote configuration, process data, device diagnostics, and device replacement, making it a more versatile option than traditional discrete connections.

Will the CANEO buttons work if the operator is wearing gloves?

Yes. CANEO capacitive buttons can be actuated while wearing most types of gloves. We’ve tested a wide range of glove materials and found them to work reliably with our technology. For best performance, we do not recommend using very thick or heavily insulated gloves.

Learning Resources

  • Person in a sterile environment with CAPTRON branding and text about eliminating downtime and contamination risks.

    Hygienic Automation in Food & Beverage

    Every surface, machine, and interface must prevent bacterial buildup while enduring high-pressure cleaning and chemical exposure.

  • CAPTRON blog card with IO-Link technology text on a dark blue background with network design.

    Top 5 Advantages of IO-Link

    As the digital revolution reshapes manufacturing, IO-Link technology is emerging as a game-changer.

  • Person wearing gloves and a cap with CAPTRON branding, text overlay about gloves and capacitive buttons.

    Video: Do capacitive buttons work with gloves?

    Wondering if CAPTRON capacitive touch sensors will actuate when an operator wears gloves? How about if they are double-gloved?

View More