A capacitive sensor system for detecting an object. The capacitive sensing system includes a capacitive sensing pad, a conductive discriminating pad, a switch, a capacitance measurement circuit and a controller. The conductive discriminating pad is in proximity to the capacitive sensing pad. The switch includes an input terminal coupled to the discriminating pad. The switch selectively couples the discriminating pad to a voltage potential of the capacitive sensing pad or to a ground potential. The capacitance measurement circuit detects a capacitance value of the capacitive sensing pad. The controller is operable to measure the capacitance value of the capacitive sensing pad when the discriminating pad is coupled to the capacitive sensing pad voltage potential or to the ground potential.