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12 min

Wiring 4 — Digital Output to Relay / Contactor

wiringdigital-outputrelayflyback-diode
Wiring 4 — Digital Output to Relay / Contactor scenario preview

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Briefing

A PLC output module can switch a 24 VDC relay coil ON and OFF. When the coil is de-energised, the collapsing magnetic field creates a **flyback voltage spike**. A **freewheeling diode** (flyback diode) across the coil clamps the spike and protects the PLC output transistor. Wire the relay coil and its flyback protection to the PLC output %Q0.0.

Objectives

  • Wire relay coil A1 (+) terminal to PLC output %Q0.0
  • Wire relay coil A2 (−) terminal to 0 V common
  • Wire the flyback diode anode to 0 V, cathode across coil to %Q0.0

Hints

  • Relay coil A1 connects to the PLC output; A2 to 0 V. Never reverse them.
  • The flyback diode must face AGAINST the supply voltage: cathode (+) toward +24 V / %Q0.0.

I/O Table

Outputs

RELAY_A1

Relay coil A1 (+) — connect to PLC output

BOOL · %Q0.0

RELAY_A2

Relay coil A2 (−) — connect to 0 V bus

BOOL · %Q0.1

DIODE_K

Flyback diode cathode — connect to PLC output side

BOOL · %Q0.2

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