Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 11:16:23 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from smtprelay3.dc3.adelphia.net ([24.50.78.6] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.0b6) with ESMTP id 1689918 for lml@lancaironline.net; Sat, 17 Aug 2002 11:01:32 -0400 Received: from worldwinds ([207.175.254.66]) by smtprelay3.dc3.adelphia.net (Netscape Messaging Server 4.15) with SMTP id H0ZTQJ00.V0Q for ; Sat, 17 Aug 2002 11:01:31 -0400 From: "Gary Casey" X-Original-To: "lancair list" Subject: snubber diodes X-Original-Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 08:00:12 -0700 X-Original-Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2600.0000 Importance: Normal <> You can go to the "Aeroelectric" list for discussion of this topic in excruciating detail, but yes, the idea is to provide a current path for the current that is built up in the coil when the power is disconnected. A resistor certainly can do it, but it also increases the current flow when energized. A diode will flow no current energized, but will provide the desired current path when the switch is opened. It might be slightly less reliable than a resistor, but most relays in aircraft are installed with these "snubber," or "free-wheeling" diodes. Automotive relays seldom have these except when electronically switched as automotive electronics are generally more robust. Gary Casey ES project