Skip to main content

Select preferred language from 'Translate' hidden side menu =>

Blog Navigation

By
                              Blog Navigation 
Post a Comment

How Snubber Circuits Protect Relay Contacts from Damage

Image
By

How Do Snubber Circuits Protect Relay Contacts? Working Principle, Benefits, and Design Tips. Explained the Snubber analogy with a shock absorber. 

What is 'Snubber'?

RC Snubber


A snubber circuit is a combination of a resistor and a capacitor.

RC Snubber


Affiliate link


Why switch contact wears out that controls the inductive load?

Relay contacts tend to wear out more if it is used to switch an inductive load.

When the relay contact opens, the falling magnetic field generates a high voltage spike that results in a spark across the relay contact.

Sparking across relay contact due to inductive load

A snubber is connected in parallel to the contact. The snubber absorbs the voltage spike. The resistor dissipates the energy stored in the capacitor when the contact closes.

Analogy of Snubber: 

A Snubber can be compared with the shock absorbers of a car. A spring acts like a capacitor that absorbs shock by compressing, and a damper acts like a resistor that dissipates energy stored in the spring into heat. Both in combination absorb shocks.

Analogy of Snubber RC Circuit with Shock Absorber

FAQ Set:

Q1: What is a snubber circuit?
A snubber circuit is an electronic circuit designed to suppress voltage spikes and transient currents, protecting sensitive components like relay contacts and semiconductors.

Q2: How does a snubber protect relay contacts?
It absorbs the energy generated by inductive loads during switching, reducing arcing and contact erosion.

Q3: What are the common types of snubber circuits?
RC (Resistor-Capacitor) snubbers and diode snubbers are most commonly used for AC and DC relay protection, respectively.

Q4: Can every relay benefit from a snubber circuit?
Yes, especially relays switching inductive loads such as motors, solenoids, and transformers, where voltage spikes are significant.

Q5: How do I design an effective snubber circuit?
Choose appropriate resistor and capacitor values based on the relay voltage, load type, and desired suppression efficiency.

You may want to click on the following:

If you like my answer, consider supporting us:
Gpay link

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Blog Navigation

By
                              Blog Navigation 
Post a Comment
Read more

What Happens to an Inductor’s Stored Energy When Current Stops?

By
Can the Energy Stored in an Inductor Be Used Practically? Applications, Benefits, and Real-World Examples. Why does an inductive load create sparking across contacts?  An inductor stores energy in the form of a magnetic field as long as current is flowing through it. As the current stops, the magnetic field began to collapse. Collapsing magnetic flux is also a rate of change of magnetic flux that will induce a large voltage spike (back EMF) across it. Energy stored in an Inductor:  Since this induced voltage is parallel to the inductor coil, it decays by converting it to heat across the coil resistance. In that process, the coil generates a magnetic field again due to the flow of decaying current through the coils, which results in electromagnetic interference in the radio operation and sparking across open contacts. Adverse effects of stored energy in an inductor:  Can we put this back-EMF into use? Yes. Practical Use of Stored Energy in an Inductor:  Spark-ignition...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Role of a Speaker Enclosure in Sound Quality (Explained)

By
Why Do Speakers Need Enclosures? Role in Sound Quality, Bass Enhancement, and Acoustic Performance Explained The sound emitted by the speaker at the front and back is exactly 180 degrees out of phase. If the enclosure is not used to isolate backwards radiated sound, it will cancel sound at the front by destructive interference. That will reduce speaker output greatly. Bass reflex port: Some ported enclosures use backwards radiated sound efficiently by phase shifting it by 180 degrees and radiating it from the front (or back), which adds up to the front sound by constructive interference. This increases speaker output, especially in the low-frequency range. More content related to this: Why are capacitors used in speakers? Why is speaker polarity important? Role of a magnet in a speaker FAQ Set: Q1: What is a speaker enclosure? A speaker enclosure is a box or housing that surrounds a speaker driver to control sound radiation and improve performance. Q2: Why are enclosures important for ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the definition of a DC bias voltage in electronics?

By
What is DC Bias Voltage used in Electronic circuits? — Definition, Importance & Practical Examples DC bias is simply a deliberate addition of a DC voltage to a (circuit) node to offset its operating voltage level. Voltage divider bias in a common emitter amplifier:  The most common and popular example of DC bias is the voltage divider bias in a common-emitter amplifier. What will happen if the DC bias is not given to the base of the above circuit? The transistor will act like a rectifier; it will amplify only the positive part of the signal, creating a distorted output that we don't want. Purpose: The purpose of the DC bias in the above circuit is to keep the base DC offset voltage sufficiently high to keep the base-to-emitter junction forward-biased all the time, considering the subtractive effect of the negative-going excursion of the AC input signal and power supply voltage variations. The typical value is 1.2V for the 12V VCC. Biasing is not always DC; it can be AC: AC bias...
Post a Comment
Read more