Spike, relays and aircraft electric systems

A spike is produced by the interruption of current flow or a sudden change in current level that releases stored magnetic energy. Spike generators are considered to be aircraft relays, solenoids, magnetic clutches, actuators, pulsing switches, motors, transformers, and the like. The specific characteristics of a spike are translated into generic characteristics which are used for defining the spike. A review of the existing approaches to spike suppression in a relay suggests that a directed total approach is required by the relay industry to provide the optimal system approach to relay suppression. A basic spike generator circuit is presented along with an aircraft electric system design.