Yokogawa 415 Steam and Gas - Manual (Page 74)

In order to comply with the requirements for Electromagnetic Compatibility as
per EMC-Directive 89/336/EEC of the Council of European Community, this
wiring practice is mandatory.
Although it is also possible to connect shields to the signal ground (terminal 2)
this practice is not in accordance with EMC directives.
RC Networks for Interference Suppression
When driving highly inductive loads with the relay outputs, it is recommended
that RC suppression networks (often called "Snubbers") are used for two reasons:
To limit the amount of electrical noise caused by arcing across the
contacts which may, in extreme cases, cause the microprocessor to act
erratically.
To protect the relay contacts against premature wear through pitting.
RC suppression networks consist of a capacitor and series resistor and are
commonly available in the electrical industry. The values of R and C are
dependant entirely on the load. However, if the user is unsure of the type of
snubber to use, values of 0.25uF and 100 ohms will usually suffice. Note that
only mains approved RC suppression networks should be used.
The basic principle of operation is that the capacitor prevent a series of sparks
arcing across the contact as the contact breaks. The series resistor limits the
current through the contact when the contact first makes.
72 Installation