Battery Contactor Diode?

"Scott" wrote in message
.. .
Nope, not really a concerning factor. Any of the "garden variety"
diodes in the 1N400X series should be fine. Just be sure to put the
cathode to the +12 or +24 volt side of the contactor coil and the anode
to the ground side (assuming a negative ground system).

I am not very good with the electron understanding, but I would be grateful
to understand this whole discussion.

Is the cathode normally the downstream side of the diode? What does the
installation like this, do, to help with the current spike?
--
Jim in NC