Tuesday, August 19, 2025

RC Snubber Module Circuit Working Explanation

An RC snubber module is a special type of protection circuit board used in electronics to reduce or eliminate unwanted voltage spikes, prevent arcing, and suppress electrical noise. It is called 'RC' because it primarily uses an resistor (R) and a capacitor (C) in series. This circuit is commonly connected in parallel with switches such as transistors, relays, or thyristors that operate with rapid switching.

RC snubber module circuit board

Specification of RC Snubber Module

The quick technical specification of the circuit board is given below.

Module Type Load Protection
Load Type DC or AC
Load Voltage Range 5V to 400V
Connection Parallel with load
Load Power Rating 1000-Watt Max.
PCB Colour Blue

RC Snubber Module Circuit Diagram

Schematic of rc snubber module circuit is shown below.

Schematic of rc snubber module circuit

Working Principle of RC Snubber Module Circuit

When a semiconductor switching device (e.g., transistors, MOSFETs, IGBTs) turns off especially in inductive circuits, the collapsing magnetic field can generate a high-voltage spike. This spike can exceed their voltage ratings and cause permanent breakdown. Similarly, in relay switch circuit with inductive load, arcing (spark) can occur at the relay contacts (NO, COM, NC) which potentially leading to burnout.

The working principle of the RC snubber circuit is simple. The capacitor (C1) absorbs the voltage spike or arc to prevent it from reaching the switch, while the series resistor (R2) dissipates the energy stored in the capacitor to prevent oscillations. Additionally, a parallel varistor (R1) provides backup protection by clamping any spike that exceeds 470V.

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SUBHAJIT BARMAN

post written by:

I'm a Senior Electronics Hardware Engineer at Schneider Electric IT Business India Pvt. Ltd. and founder of the OpenCkt blog site. Since its establishment in 2025, the blog has been dedicated to sharing my passion for electronics module, reverse engineering, and experiences with a global electronics enthusiast community.

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