Pressure Sensitive Pad

[LApprenti Sorcier]

Hi there!

Could someone give me an idea?

I need some sort of pressure sensitive pad that is:

- Fairly large (around 100 x 60 cm).
- Flexible.
- Waterproof.
- Does not float.
- Resistant to rough treatment.
- Can give me some sort of electric signal when briefly stepped on or kicked.

Hopefully it will be a simple on/off signal, but if needed I can measure, for example, a change of resistance...

*** Something else, ideally it would be a material which I can handle and use on whatever I need and will be cheaper than buying a bunch of premanufactured re-mortgage-your-house security pads because I need loads of them...

Someone once told me about a certain conductive foam which would chance resistance when under pressure, ever heard of it? The only problem is that being a foam it will not be heavier than water and will not sink...

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[panic mode]

What you are describing here is comonly used in industry and it's
known as safety mat. There are many brands so you will have to google
a bit to find what you like. Companies that deal with safety are
for example Sick, Banner, Sti, Honeywell, Keyence and many more.

 

[jbeng]

Those pads used to be used to open doors automatically at stores, etc. These days, they often use ultrasonic or microwave sensors for that. Here's a link for a pressure-sensitive mat which can be used for home security alarms: **broken link removed**
Might be just what you're looking for. This one might not be waterproof though.
JB

 

[LApprenti Sorcier]

Thanks for your tips!

I just edited the post to add an aditional note...

(And fixed a typo too... 8) )

 

[gerty]

This type of mat is used in the alarm business also.It's placed under carpeting. It's usually normally open , closed when stepped on..

 

[DirtyLude]

http://softlyspokenmagicspells.com/halloween/mat_switch.html