🚀 go-pugleaf

Sparking is practically unavoidable in switches because the contacts
open while the circuit is carrying current; and with the inductive
load the collapsing current will generate a voltage as high as necessary
to strike a spark.  The snubber circuit allow the current to continue
through the capacitor, so it doesn't have to go through the arc across
the switch contacts.  The resistor serves two purposes: it makes the
circuit dissipative so the current dies out rather than oscillating
in the L-C circuit; and it limits the current that can flow from the
capacitor into the switch contacts when they are suddenly closed.

Switching DC is more of a problem than switching AC, because with AC
the current will go to zero anyway; whereas with DC it will continue
as long as the arc exists at the switch contacts.  Which means the
contacts have to open really wide.

So a snubber might help some, but probably a better solution is a more
heavy-duty switch.

haynes@ucscc.ucsc.edu
haynes@ucscc.bitnet
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"Any clod can have the facts, but having opinions is an Art."
        Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle