Snubber

Inductive elements are often unintentional, arising from the current loops implied by physical circuitry like long and/or tortuous wires.

RC snubbers can be made discretely and are also built as a single component (see also Boucherot cell).

When the current flowing is DC, a simple rectifier diode is often employed as a snubber.

[2] The snubber diode is wired in parallel with an inductive load (such as a relay coil or electric motor).

When such a snubber is utilized in a relay, this effect may cause a significant delay in the drop out, or disengagement, of the actuator.

The diode must immediately enter into forward conduction mode as the driving current is interrupted.

Now with lower series resistance (Rs) in semiconductors they are generally called transient voltage suppressors (TVS), or surge protection devices (SPD).

Transient-voltage-suppression diodes are like silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) which trigger from overvoltage then clamp like Darlington transistors for lower voltage drop over a longer time period.

[6] A hydraulic snubber allows for pipe deflection under normal operating conditions.

When subjected to an impulse load, the snubber becomes activated and acts as a restraint in order to restrict pipe movement.