Disclosed in a non-contacting electric potential sensor capable of being
readily reduced in its size, which includes a detecting electrode, an electrically-conductive
movable shutter, and a driving unit for driving the electrically-conductive movable
shutter. The detecting electrode is to be placed facing a measurement object whose
electric potential is to be measured. The electrically-conductive movable shutter
is disposed so as to be movably located in a spacing formed between the detecting
electrode and the measurement object when the detecting electrode is placed facing
the measurement object, so that an exposure degree of the detecting electrode against
the measurement object can be controlled. The driving unit includes a current injecting
unit for selectively injecting current into the electrically-conductive movable
shutter in a direction approximately perpendicular to a moving direction of the
electrically-conductive movable shutter.