# Lighting Control Using Capacitive Proximity Sensor

**URL:** <https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/lighting-control-using-capacitive-proximity-sensor/15130>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [15 September 2022 03:56 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/lighting-control-using-capacitive-proximity-sensor/15130 "2022-09-15T03:56:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Will212200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Will212200](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Will212200)\
**Post date:** [15 September 2022 03:56 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/lighting-control-using-capacitive-proximity-sensor/15130/1 "2022-09-15T03:56:57Z")

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I want to make a ‘backlit’ style mirror by fixing lighting strips behind a 6mm toughened mirror panel activated by a touch sensor.

I figure the best sensor will be the SEN0447 Capacitive sensor.

Besides the lighting, what else would I need to get this going?

I appreciate any help given

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**Author:** ![James](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/james/32/4400_2.png) [@James](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/James)\
**Post date:** [15 September 2022 04:12 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/lighting-control-using-capacitive-proximity-sensor/15130/2 "2022-09-15T04:12:59Z")

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Hi Will,

I’d recommend Adafruit’s touch toggle switch for this, not sure how well it’ll work through/across glass though:

> **[Standalone Toggle Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - AT42QT1012](https://core-electronics.com.au/standalone-toggle-capacitive-touch-sensor-breakout-at42qt1012.html)**
>
> This breakout board is the simplest way to create a project with a single "toggle" capacitive touch sensor. No microcontroller is required here - just power with...

Adafruit have a guide on wiring one up, but we don’t supply the relay box they are using, you’d likely use something [like this](https://core-electronics.com.au/pololu-basic-spdt-relay-carrier-with-5vdc-relay-assembled.html) on your DC power for your strips instead:

> **[Capacitive Touch Holiday Light Control](https://learn.adafruit.com/capacitive-touch-holiday-light-control/wire-it-up)**
>
> Add touch control to your holiday lights with a stand-alone cap-touch sensor and a metallic ornament of your choice. This simple project requires minimal soldering and no programming at all!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Will212200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Will212200](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Will212200)\
**Post date:** [15 September 2022 05:37 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/lighting-control-using-capacitive-proximity-sensor/15130/3 "2022-09-15T05:37:00Z")

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Thanks for the advice! So that relay power would power the sensor and switch? I’d just need to solder and house it?

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**Author:** ![Bryce](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/bryce/32/3631_2.png) [@Bryce](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Bryce)\
**Post date:** [16 September 2022 03:33 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/lighting-control-using-capacitive-proximity-sensor/15130/4 "2022-09-16T03:33:20Z")

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Hi Will,

Welcome to the forum 🥳

Which relay power are you referring to? I believe what James was referencing was to follow the Adafruit guide and components to a similar effect for your project, unfortunately the Powerswitch Tail II was retired and doesn’t have a direct replacement:

> **[Powerswitch tail 2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/268)**
>
> The PST has been discontinued. Please check out the IoT Power Relay for an equivalent alternative. The IoT Power Relay has more outlets but otherwise is functionally the same, and at a ...

Other than the lighting, you’ll likely need a relay system, possibly with a microcontroller depending on which relay/s you’re using, and connect this to your capacitive touch sensor so that you can switch the power to your LEDs on and off.

In my opinion, I’d suggest going with some WS2812Bs on an LED strip, an appropriate driver board, and a microcontroller of your preference such as a Uno or Pico which you can hook up to the driver and sensor to control the LEDs.