ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (gfretwell), 32 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#129531 04/13/05 07:02 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 159
C
CRW Offline OP
Member
I was told that when a relay is used for DC (+24V)to the coil, you should also put a diode across (parallel to) the coil. Why is this? The relay is to control a 120VAC circuit.

Stay up to Code with the Latest NEC:


>> 2023 NEC & Related Reference & Exam Prep
2023 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides

Pass Your Exam the FIRST TIME with the Latest NEC & Exam Prep

>> 2020 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides
 

#129532 04/13/05 10:12 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 806
N
Member
The diode is placed across a relay coil that is powered by DC, to absorb voltage spikes generated by the coil inductance when the current through the coil is shut off. Without this diode, the high voltage spike generated by the collapsing magnetic field of the coil ("inductive kickback") can damage solid state components, particularly a transistor or other semiconductor used to control the relay coil.

The diode is installed so it is normally reverse biased (cathode to the positive end of the coil). The voltage generated by the inductive kickback will be of the opposite polarity, and will cause the diode to conduct, absorbing the spike. I usually use a diode with a PIV rating at least 5X the applied coil voltage. Something in the 1N400x series is suitable for most situations.

#129533 04/15/05 01:39 AM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 176
P
Member
I accidentally discovered inductive kickback when i was a teen. I was holding the wires on a relay, wired it up so that the coil was in series with the normally closed part of itself. (Tired to make it like a buzzer) Hooked it to the battery and got little shocks. Sometimes I've also seen a 0.1uF capacitor in parallel with the coil and diode. I often see the capacitor in parallel of small motors, such as in toy RC cars. The capacitor helps smooth out the inductive kickback because (i hope i got this right) a diode can take a small fraction of a second to work. I've even seen the caps on a bridge rectifier, although I'm not sure if it's for the same reason.

#129534 04/15/05 08:06 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 806
N
Member
The capacitors perform a similar function, but not exactly the same.

The capacitor across a diode acts as a short circuit to any high frequency AC created when the diode turns on and off. The capacitor across a DC motor armature (and often from either end of the armature to ground, as well) helps filter out noise from the brushes, and prevents it from interfering with the control electronics.

#129535 04/16/05 08:58 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
Just for the record,
These things are used alot with PLC's that use relays, they usually use a series RC network called a "snubber circuit", to minimise the inductive effects of the coil Back EMF. [Linked Image]

#129536 04/18/05 07:24 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,148
R
Member
Quote
I accidentally discovered inductive kickback when i was a teen.
That happens to many electricians when they use a flashlight continuity tester on a transformer.
Don


Don(resqcapt19)
#129537 04/18/05 06:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
Quote
That happens to many electricians when they use a flashlight continuity tester on a transformer.
Or even some types of ohmmeter.

#129538 04/24/05 05:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 693
L
Member
A cap on a small DC motor can also help the brushes last longer by reducing arcing.


Larry Fine
Fine Electric Co.
fineelectricco.com
#129539 04/24/05 10:25 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
Larry Fine;

Welcome to ECN.

I have gotta ask ... your User Name ... is it who I think it is modeled from (part of an "Older" Trio), or is it your real name.

I am thinking "Larry Fine" as in "Howard, Fine and Howard".

If needed, feel free to E-mail me at the Phoenetically listed address below:

setelectric at pacbell dot net (without the spaces or text for the symbols).

Scott35

BTW, the "UnCap'ed" Brushes of DC Motors generate a lot of RFI - in the form of harsh pulses, which shows up big time on TV sets (mostly in the AM video part, but have seen in both AM video and FM audio parts), create havoc in other areas of Radio use (AM, HAM, etc.) , and may cause control signal errors being received on Carrier Current applications (or RF controls).

Damping the RFI is another reason to bypass the Brushes / Commutator with Non-Polarized Capacitors.
Non-Polarized to allow the passage of "AC-Like Noise" ... I think that's correct (been some time!)

To add some more to the Clamped DC Coil thing, one very common application where a Capacitor was used in conjunction with a DC driven Coil, was the Automotive Ignition System.

The Coil was controlled by the "Breaker Points", which opened/closed the "Primary" circuit of the Coil, so a high voltage DC pulse was achieved at the "Secondary", and Distributed to the approporiate Spark Plug.
The Points were clamped with a Capacitor (using the nomeclature "Condenser"), so the points would not become prematurely Barbequed from the surged DC - as result of opening the circuit.

It was a simple Parallel clamp method, using something like a 4.7 µF 125 VDC Cap., connected between Line side of points and Chassis "Ground" (the distributor)

Just some additional FYI.


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
#129540 04/24/05 11:15 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 693
L
Member
Scott, thanx for the welcome. It's both: one of the 3 Stooges and my real name.


Larry Fine
Fine Electric Co.
fineelectricco.com
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5