Description
Diode Suppression – Explained
Before connecting any ol’ relay to your expensive source unit or processor, you should consider that the relay itself could damage it. That’s correct. But how?
Relays are simply electromagnetic switches – energize the coil and the switch is thrown. Simple enough. However, when power is removed from the coil, the electromagnetic field collapses. This can cause a voltage spike very high in voltage and if not directed to ground, could cause damage to the circuit that controls the relay itself. The diode shunts the spike to ground, preventing damage.
