Power Isolation

[sturriff]

Hi all,
We're working with a touch sensor system that is using earth ground as a conductive media for the touch signal. The system needs low current DC power (5V) in order to power a micro and we've found that connecting that there are potential problems in doing this if the power source is grounded. Does anyone know of a cheap strategy for isolating the power before it gets to our micro?

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: There may already be some defective component(s) in the circuit causing a connection to the ground. Therefore, when you connect the grounded power supply, the system activates.

 

[sturriff]

Thanks jbartos. Actually the principle of operation calls for the switch to use the ground as a signal media. Not the ideal system but it's actually supposed to work that way.