ESP32 - Touch Sensor - LED

This tutorial instructs you how to use ESP32 to control LED based on the state of the touch sensor. In detail:

We also have another tutorial: ESP32 - Touch Sensor Toggles LED, which toggle LED state between ON and OFF when the touch sensor is touched.

Hardware Used In This Tutorial

1×ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module
1×USB Cable Type-C
1×Touch Sensor
1×LED
1×220 ohm resistor
1×Breadboard
1×Jumper Wires
1×(Optional) DC Power Jack
1×(Recommended) Screw Terminal Expansion Board for ESP32

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1×DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1×DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)
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Introduction to LED and Touch Sensor

We have specific tutorials about LED and touch sensor. Each tutorial contains detailed information and step-by-step instructions about hardware pinout, working principle, wiring connection to ESP32, ESP32 code... Learn more about them at the following links:

Wiring Diagram

The wiring diagram with power supply from USB cable

ESP32 Touch Sensor LED Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

The wiring diagram with power supply from 5v adapter

ESP32 Touch Sensor LED Wiring Diagram 5v power source

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: How to Power ESP32.

ESP32 Code

/* * This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com * * This ESP32 code is released in the public domain * * For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-touch-sensor-led */ #define TOUCH_SENSOR_PIN 33 // ESP32 pin GPIO33 connected to the OUTPUT pin of touch sensor #define LED_PIN 17 // ESP32 pin GPIO17 connected to LED's pin void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); // initialize serial pinMode(TOUCH_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT); // set ESP32 pin to input mode pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT); // set ESP32 pin to output mode } void loop() { int touchState = digitalRead(TOUCH_SENSOR_PIN); // read new state if (touchState == HIGH) { Serial.println("The sensor is being touched");; digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH); // turn on } else if (touchState == LOW) { Serial.println("The sensor is untouched"); digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW); // turn off } }

Quick Instructions

  • If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
  • Do the wiring as above image.
  • Connect the ESP32 board to your PC via a micro USB cable
  • Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
  • Select the right ESP32 board (e.g. ESP32 Dev Module) and COM port.
  • Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
  • Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
Arduino IDE Upload Code
  • Touch and keep touching the touch sensor several seconds
  • See the change of LED's state

Line-by-line Code Explanation

The above ESP32 code contains line-by-line explanation. Please read the comments in the code!

Video Tutorial

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