Red Seal Electrician Practice
Wiring and componentsQuestion 67 of 1506

A snubber is fitted across a contact. What is a risk of this design?

  1. If the snubber fails open, the contact welds closed on the next operation
  2. If the snubber fails shorted, current can flow even when the contact is open
  3. If the snubber works, the load never turns off when the contact opens
  4. The snubber doubles the load current permanently when it is fitted
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Correct answer: If the snubber fails shorted, current can flow even when the contact is open

A shorted snubber gives a path around the open contact.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits IV: Digital (Kuphaldt), 4.2: Switch Contact Design

Practice wiring and components

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026