[Elecraft] Can a 1N4007 Be an Effective Relay Snubber?

[Paul Christensen]

>> To answer, I hope definitively, the question "is a 1N4007 power diode
>> too slow to be used as a relay coil snubber,"

Just curious -- over the years, I've seen references to the main purpose of 
the snubber diode being used; (1) to decrease the action time of the relay, 
since the decaying flux of the relay coil tends to keep the contacts engaged 
(NO), or disengaged (NC) longer than necessary after voltage is removed from 
the coil; and (2) to primarily protect a solid-state switching device (e.g., 
an open NPN collector) from damage, also being caused by the snap of the 
decaying flux of the relay coil.  I realize both uses of the diode are 
valid, but it seems that unless there's an extremely high flux developed by 
coil, the primary purpose of the diode is for relay speed, rather than 
switching device protection.

Paul, W9AC