TECHNICAL INFORMATION SHEET NUMBER 364

Snubbers

12/2/98

ISSUED BY THE APPLICATIONS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Snubber is the term used to describe a device consisting of a resistor and a capacitor connected in series.
It is intended to be connected in parallel with the contacts of a switch or a relay to reduce arcing.

Although the original reason for using snubbers was to prolong the life of contacts by reducing arcing in mechanical
switches and relays, snubbers now play several important roles in a variety of control circuits.

Benefits of using snubbers with control relays

Note that the use of snubbers is particularly beneficial in circuits controlling inductive loads such as the coils of
electro-mechanical contactors. The snubber may be connected across the contacts of the control relay, or (better) in
parallel with the inductive load.

1. The snubber prolongs the life of the contacts by reducing arcing.

2. The snubber helps to eliminate equipment malfunctions due to interference by reducing electro-magnetic
noise.

3. The snubber diverts the inductive surge current away from the relay contacts (which may be close to sensitive
circuits).

4. The snubber reduces voltage stresses on insulation.

Important: Snubbers must never be connected across relay contacts driving high impedance loads (such as solid-
state relay inputs) or on contacts used for isolation. A snubber will pass a small alternating current, even though the
relay contact is open. This current is sufficient to turn on some solid-state relays, or to cause electric shock to
personnel.
In these cases it is permissible to connect a snubber across the load.

Snubbers connected across SCRs, triacs and solid-state relays

The use of snubbers is highly recommended in all circuits controlled by solid-state devices, and is absolutely
essential in circuits with solid-state devices controlling inductive loads. Most solid-state relays and SCR power
controllers have built-in snubbers.

When used with solid-state devices, snubbers should be connected across the SCRs or solid-state relays, not in
parallel with the load.

1. The snubber helps to prevent spurious firing of SCRs and solid-state relays due to the rapid change of voltage
produced by an inductive load when the SCR turns off.

2. The snubber helps to prevent spurious firing of SCRs due to voltage spikes and notches on the supply lines.

3. The snubber enables pulse-fired SCRs to latch when feeding inductive loads.

GWH 1998 December 1 Copyright Eurotherm Controls Inc 1998. All rights reserved

EUROTHERM CONTROLS INC / BARBER-COLMAN CO. Page 1 of 2

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