What effect does a free wheeling diode [flyback diode] have in a parallel circuit with the relay coil?

Free wheeling diodes protect against voltage spikes when the supply current of an inductive DC load is suddenly switched off. To this purpose the diodes are connected parallel to the inductive DC consumers, so that they are used by the supply voltage in theblocking direction. Afrer the supply current has been switched off the self-induction of the coil ensures that the current continues to flow in the original direction. Without a free wheeling diode, this would result in a voltage spike that adds to the operating voltage and could damage or destroy the switching path. However, with a free wheeling diode, the voltage spike is limited to the forward voltage of the diode (for silicon about 0.7 V). This protects the electronic components, but also the switching contacts, very effectively against voltage spikes.