Tracking down those pesky current spikes

[Alan]

You’re keeping an eye on a low voltage circuit, and out of nowhere, a spike appears that just doesn’t belong. What quick checks, tools, or habits do you turn to in order to track down the source before it causes any serious damage?

 

[capacitorkid]

Consider adding TVS diodes or varistors at sensitive spots while you're troubleshooting. Don't forget to check all your ground connections, poor grounds can lead to strange voltage readings and false spikes. Tighten the grounds, add suppression components, and monitor with a meter to ensure you’ve resolved the issue.

 

[Currentaffair]

To find the source of the spike, disconnect loads one at a time until it stops. Also, inspect your power supply, budget options often produce a lot of ripple and spikes under load, damaging components over time.

 

[Circuitsmith]

If you have access to an oscilloscope, use it to identify voltage spikes. Pay attention to inductive loads that turn on and off, motors and relays often generate back-EMF spikes. Installing snubber diodes or capacitors across coils can help protect delicate electronics.