0.6″-diameter short-tail force sensing resistor (FSR) next to a 0.6″-diameter FSR with a standard tail.

Overview

This force-sensing resistor (FSR) from Interlink Electronics is a passive component that acts as a variable resistor, with resistance decreasing in response to increasing applied force, which makes it easy to add a touch interface to your project or create a robot with much more sophisticated tactile senses than are possible with simple lever switches. The polymer thick film (PTF) device is optimized for use in human touch control of electronic devices and can sense an applied force anywhere in the active area ranging from a few dozen grams to a few kilograms (0.2 N to 20 N).

In our tests, the resistance exceeded 1 MΩ with no applied pressure and ranged from around 100 kΩ to a few hundred Ohms as finger pressure varied from light (a few dozen grams) to heavy (pressing as hard as possible). The resistance is very stable when the pressure is fixed, and the readings are very repeatable (there are no problems with hysteresis). This resistance range is well suited to work directly with the internal pull-ups of many microcontrollers such as AVRs and PICs. The FSR was responsive enough and sensitive enough to distinctly pick up light, rapid finger taps, and it was even able to pick up the vibrations of a small vibration motor placed on it on the motor’s side.

The 0.72″-diameter circular pad is flexible, light (0.25 g), and extremely thin (0.02″), and it has a circular active sensing area with a diameter of 0.58″. It does not appreciably compress when pressure is applied. The FSR has a masked adhesive backing for easy mounting, and the 1.7″ flexible male leads give you a convenient way to integrate the part into your project. The two male pins (called “solder tabs”) have a 0.1″ spacing, which means they are compatible with most solderless breadboards and perfboards, though the solder tabs are too short to work well with many 0.1″ connectors. (A very similar FSR with a much shorter tail is also available; see the picture on the right for a side-by-side comparison of the two versions.)

Note that this FSR is not a load cell or strain gauge, and it is not suitable for precision force measurements. While it can be used for high-resolution dynamic measurement, only qualitative results are generally attainable. Force accuracy ranges from 5% to 25% depending on a number of factors, and the resolution is better than 0.5% of the full range. Please see the resources tab for more information, including force-vs-resistance curves, integration notes, usage tips, and suggested electrical circuits.

A variety of force-sensing resistors (FSRs).

FSR/FSLP versions

Interlink refers to this product as part number FSR 402 in their FSR 400 series. We have seven versions of force-sensing resistors available, which lets you choose the one with the dimensions that best suit your application:

• 0.2″-diameter circle (FSR 400)
• 0.25″-diameter circle, short tail (FSR 400 Short)
• 0.6″-diameter circle (FSR 402)
• 0.6″-diameter circle, short tail (FSR 402 Short)
• 1.5″×1.5″ square (FSR 406)
• 1.4″×0.4″ strip (standard FSLP)
• 4.0″×0.4″ strip (10 cm FSLP)

Note that the last two sensors in this list are FSLPs (force-sensing linear potentiometers) that let you detect both the amount of applied force and where on the strip the force was applied.

Example applications

• Pressure-sensitive touch user interface
• Tactile sensor for robotic appendages
• Finger pads for special gloves
• Target contact detection

May 2014 update: We have changed the dimension in this product’s name from 0.5″ to 0.6″ so the name more accurately reflects the product. The product itself has not changed (the active area has always been much closer to 0.6″ than 0.5″). The old product name was Force-Sensing Resistor – 0.5" Circle.

People often buy this product together with:

Force-Sensing Resistor: 1.5″ Square

Force-Sensing Resistor: 0.2″-Diameter Circle