Today's "Back to Basics" tutorial topic - why flyback or snubber diodes are used around relay coils when switched or controlled by low power electronics. We'll talk about how and why dangerously high voltages can be generated from the collapse of the stored magnetic energy in the coil when they're switched off, and how the diode can protect the low power electronics from being damaged by these high voltages. Some voltage and current measurements are made on an actual circuit to see the real-world effects. A copy of the notes in the video can be found here: