In electrically judged epée, a touch is scored by depressing the tip of the weapon against the body of one's opponent. When pushed with sufficient pressure (>750 g) and for a certain short distance (>1 mm), a small spring is brought into contact with a pair of tiny wires, completing an electrical circuit which signals a touch. In order to prevent hits to the opponent's weapon from scoring, the weapon itself is grounded, and if touched, will therefore NOT cause a light on the scoring box to illuminate.

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