Abstract: In a system for determining the relative position of a first object with respect to a second object, electrical detection of registration is achieved. This registration can be used during the manufacture of printed circuit boards or discrete wiring boards to determine the registration between layers of wiring, or between wiring layers and printed circuit layers. The system introduces an a.c. current at a suitable frequency into at least one first conductive pattern wired or etched or otherwise provided near the perimeter of a printed or wired first layer of a circuit board panel. The panel having the first pattern is moved relative to similarly wired second conductive patterns on a second layer or base plate, mounting table, etc., to which detection circuits are connected. Voltage induced in the second patterns is detected and indicates the positional relationship between the first and second conductive patterns and, hence, objects associated with such patterns.