I entered the world of arduino and electronics during Covid, so far eally excited by it and learning a lot !
I am finishing a project right now, 12 Solenoid in parallel (Pendulums) activated via a push button.
3.3v / 20 mA max per solenoid. To avoid Back EMF I understand I have to use diodes - my question is :
How many diodes should I put in parallel? 12 or 1 (closest to the button) would do the trick.
If I understand the process, if only put 1, it means that all the electricity is going to be dissipated with this diode + solenoid closest to it?
If you mean you have 12 solenoid in parallel all fed from 1 button then 1 diode close to the button. If you mean something else then please provide a schematic so we can understand what you have.
Your analysis is correct - can you please confirm my understanding thought :
The spike of voltage is going to be drawn by the diode and circle around the closest solenoid until disipated. To which point of voltage or current I would need more diodes ?
Thanks a ton. This helps a lot when self learning!!
The peak current will be the same as the current drawn by the solenoids just before the current is interrupted. You therefore need a diode with an If greater than the total current drawn by the solenoids. What you said about circulating around the closest solenoid makes no sense. If there are multiple solenoids they all contribute to the current. Note that current circulates, not voltage.
“ The peak current will be the same as the current drawn by the solenoids just before the current is interrupted. What you said about circulating around the closest solenoid males no sense. If there are multiple solenoids they all contribute to the current. Note that current circulates, not voltage.”