51-401.036K EAO, 51-401.036K Datasheet - Page 39

• Manufacturer Part Number: 51-401.036K
• Description: Key Operated Switch
• Manufacturer: EAO

Specifications of 51-401.036K

• Actuator Style: Flat
• No. Of Switch Positions: 2
• Leaded Process Compatible: Yes
• Lead Free Status / RoHS Status: Lead free / RoHS Compliant

Application guidelines
When switching inductive loads such as relays, DC motors, and DC solenoids, it is always important
to absorb surges (e.g. with a diode) to protect the contacts. When these inductive loads are switched
off, a counter emf can severely damage switch contacts and greatly shorten lifetime.
Fig. 1 shows an inductive load with a free-wheeling diode connected in parallel. This free-wheeling
diode provides a path for the inductor current to flow when the current is interrupted by the switch.
Without this free-wheeling diode, the voltage across the coil will be limited only by dielectric break-
down voltages of the circuit or parasitic elements of the coil. This voltage can be kilovolts in amplitude
even when nominal circuit voltages are low (e.g. 12 VDC) see Fig. 2.
The free-wheeling diode should be chosen so that the reverse breakdown voltage is greater than the
voltage driving the inductive load. The DC blocking voltage (VR) of the free-wheeling diode can be
found in the datasheet of a diode. The forward current should be equal or greater than the maximum
current flowing through the load.
To get an efficient protection, the free-wheeling diode must be connected as close as possible
to the inductive load!
0
VDC
Suppressor circuits
+
_
Switching with inductive load
Free-wheeling
Fig. 1
Switch
diode
Inductive
load
over load without free-wheeling diode
Sveral hundred
thousend volts
to several
Counter emf
0
Fig. 2
ON
OFF
e = L
__
dt
di
01.2010
37
51