[SEL] Early Switchboard Meters and Switchgear

[Michael P. Koryciak]

On relays, "quenching", or "spike" diodes are put across one of the 
coils to absorb the voltage of the collapsing magnetic field.I imagine 
the same thing will work with switches....in Audio Electronics, a 
high-value (1 Meg ohm) resistor is used on the input of amplifiers to 
eliminate the "Popping" noise of the switch.

John Culp wrote:

>> Quick breaks were fitted to DC switches to prevent arcing across as
>> the load current was broken. It's still a problem, even today!
>
>
> Direct current still works pretty much the same way as it has for a 
> long time.
>
> John Culp
> Bristol, Tennessee, USA
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