What is the formula for transient spike computation

in an inductive load?
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the Iormula Ior transient spike computation in an inductive load?
Answer:

EI x R. The inductive spike occurs as the circuit is opened. The collapsing magnetic Iield causes the inductor to
become the source oI the circuit. For example consider a circuit consisting oI a 10 volt battery, a 10 mh inductor, and a
10 ohm resistor all in series. With the switch closed, 1 amp will Ilow through the circuit (aIter 5 mS). The 5 mS is the
time it takes the current to rise Irom 0 to 1 amp. This is given by the Iormual TCL/R where TC is the time constant in
seconds, L is the inductance in henries, and R is the resistance in ohms. It takes 5 time constants Ior the current to reach
the maximum current which is determined by IE/R (Ohm's Law). The delay is caused by the counter EMF generated
in the coil as Ilux lines cut through adjacent turns oI the inductor. AIter 5 time constants, the current is at 1 amp. When
we open the switch, it will take 5 time constants Ior the current to drop to 0 amps. However, this will not be 5 mS
because the resistance is now much larger do to the opening switch contacts. The voltage across the switch contacts will
be whatever is necessary to maintain the current Ilow Ior the 5 time constants. AIter one time constant, the current will
have dropped to 32 oI the maximum current or in this case, 0.32 amps. II the resistance oI the switch gap is 1
megohm, the the voltage will be 320,000 volts. More than enough to ionize the air and create a conductive path. II we
assume an average resistance oI 1 megohm, it will take 50 nS Ior the current to drop to 0. OI course during this time,
the switch contact gets zapped. Placing a diode across the inductor such that the diode is reverse biased with the switch
closed will give the current an alternate path as the polarity oI the inductor reverses when the magnetic Iield collapses
and the inductor becomes the source. This lowers the voltage Irom 1,000,000 volts to 0.7 volts. The downside is that
the time it takes Ior the current decrease increases bo the ratio oI 1,000,000/0.7. In a relay, this may cause the relay to
"chatter" when opening. Adding a zener diode in series anode to anode with the spike suppressing diode will alleivate
most chattering problems. A 34.3 volt zener will raise the voltage Irom 0,7v to 35v and shorten the time by a Iactor oI
50 (35/.0.7).