JR... All of the experiments and schematics I've played with suggest that the cross-talk from a single contact would be problematic. So 3 separate touch contacts is probably the correct path.
Thanks... designing an accurate outlet checker is proving a bunch harder than most such circuits, and I am fairly well versed in discrete design.
Yes, I know 3 separate touch circuits will work (I'm pretty sure) based on the same circuit I used as a start-up switch for my smart outlet.
When (if) I give up on making a single touch contact work, that 3 separate contacts approach will be my fall back position.
Last night during my nightly beer fueled circuit analysis session I resolved that I gave up too soon on version 3, so today I will revisit that with a few minor changes. Rev 3 was almost working.
more later...
JR