A capacitive sensing system includes a conductive sensing element and a circuit configured to provide measurements related to a sensing current sent to the sensing element. The circuit is located remote from the sensing element. The system also includes a switch configured to selectively couple the sensing element to the circuit. The switch is located proximate to the sensing element. The system also includes an electrical conductor that electrically couples the switch and the circuit. The conductor carries sensing signals from the circuit to the sensing element when the switch is closed.