When choosing a resistive touchscreen, there are several things you’ll need to consider. Resistive touchscreens are characterized by their use of multiple layers — the layers are made of an electrically resistive material — to detect touch commands. They are commonly used in tablets, mobile handsets, human machine interfaces (HMIs) point-of-sale (POS) systems and more.
While all resistive touchscreens use the same method to detect touch commands, they are available in different types. By following these tips, you can choose the right resistive touchscreen for your needs.
Layer Material
You should consider the material from which the layers of a resistive touchscreen are made. As previously mentioned, resistive touchscreens feature layers that are made of an electrically resistive material. They specifically feature two layers, which are separated by air. Pressing the top layer will push it into the bottom layer.
The material from which a resistive touchscreen’s layers are made may vary. Some of them are made of plastic. Other resistive touchscreens feature glass layers. You can even find resistive touchscreens with a glass top layer and a plastic bottom layer.
Display
Don’t forget to consider the display when choosing a resistive touchscreen. Resistive touchscreens are classified as both input and output devices. They are input devices in the sense that they can recognize and respond to touch commands. Resistive touchscreens are also output devices in the sense that they project images.
All resistive touchscreens have an integrated display. Like with the layer material, though, the type of display used in a resistive touchscreen may vary. Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are commonly used in resistive touchscreens. Many LCDs feature an integrated LCD. LCDs produce high-quality images, support high resolutions and consume a minimal amount of energy.
4 vs 5 Wire Technology
When shopping for a resistive touchscreen, you may discover that some of them use 4-wire technology, whereas others use 5-wire technology. They are both types of resistive technologies. The difference between 4-wire and 5-wire technology is that the former measures a voltage on both layers, whereas the latter measures a voltage only on the bottom layer.
5-wire is considered a more robust resistive technology. Because it only measures a voltage on the bottom layer, damage to the top layer typically won’t affect its operations. Scratches or other minor forms of damage will only affect the top layer. The bottom layer will remain intact, allowing 5-wire resistive touchscreens to continue working in the event of such damage.
