Electronic – relay contact fails (suspect sparking)

capacitorcomponent-failurerelaysolenoidspark

I have a relay which is rated for 30 VDC @ 10 A or 28 VDC @ 10 A (which appears on this relay module) and I am running 12 V @ 6 A through the relay and this solenoid.

After a short amount of time (hundreds of triggers) I still hear the relay clicking but there is no longer continuity across the contacts. I have read that I can possibly put a non-polarized capacitor across the switch contacts to prevent sparking. Is it fair to assume the relay is failing due to sparking (even though it does not appear to be welding) and if so, what size capacitor should I implement?

Update 2018-03-19

Here is the schematic of how I'm currently running the circuit:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

If I've understood answers correctly, here is what I should do to avoid sparking and damaging the relay:

schematic

simulate this circuit

I'm now considering using this diode.

Update 2018-03-22

I've placed a flyback diode as in the second schematic. When touching the connections in place of where the relay will be there is still some slight sparking but it significantly reduced. I may have to look for other ways to continue to reduce sparking.

Best Answer

From your description you have no diode across your solenoid coil.
That will cause a very large voltage to develop across the contacts of your relay as they open. This cause a spark and will degrade your solenoid contacts.

Simply place a diode across the solenoid to protect the contacts:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

Almost any general purpose diode such as a 1N400x series would work as it only has to tolerate the pulse power as the magnetic field decays.