#1 Could you submit a drawing including both ends ? #2 Perhaps a capacitive sensor could work in conjunction with the aluminu= m block. There are some pretty nifty capacitive sensor ICs. #3 Perhaps a magnetic differential sensor could cancel out external magne= tic effects. What are these external interferences ? Gus in Denver 99gus --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .