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159LMU025M2DF Equivalent & Substitute Parts Reference
Part Overview
The 159LMU025M2DF is a 15000 µF, 25 V aluminum electrolytic capacitor manufactured by Cornell Dubilier / Illinois Capacitor in the LMU series. This radial, can-style snap-in capacitor is designed for general-purpose applications with a rated lifetime of 2000 hours at 105°C. The part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing system support and new designs. Substitute parts maintain the same electrical specifications (capacitance, voltage rating, tolerance) and mechanical form factor (radial, snap-in, through-hole mounting) while offering improved availability and extended operational life ratings.
Substiute Parts
Key Parameters
| Parameter | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitance | 15000 | µF |
| Voltage - Rated | 25 | V |
| Tolerance | ±20% | - |
| ESR @ 120Hz | 44.21 | mOhm |
| Lifetime @ 105°C | 2000 | Hrs |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 to 105 | °C |
| Lead Spacing | 10.00 | mm |
| Diameter | 30.00 | mm |
| Height - Seated (Max) | 42.00 | mm |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole | - |
| Package / Case | Radial, Can - Snap-In | - |
| Polarization | Polar | - |
Substitute Part Grouping Explanation
Substitution eligibility is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:
Primary Substitution Criteria:
- Capacitance: 15000 µF (exact match required)
- Voltage Rating: 25 V or higher (equal or greater voltage rating acceptable)
- Tolerance: ±20% (exact match required)
- Polarization: Polar (exact match required)
- Mounting Type: Through Hole (exact match required)
- Package / Case: Radial, Can - Snap-In (exact match required)
- Lead Spacing: 10.00 mm (exact match required)
- Diameter: 30.00 mm (exact match required)
Secondary Compatibility Parameters:
- Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to 105°C minimum (equal or wider range acceptable)
- Moisture Sensitivity Level: 1 (Unlimited) preferred for compatibility
- RoHS and REACH compliance status
Substitute parts are grouped into three categories based on functional equivalence and performance enhancement:
Direct Substitutes: Parts meeting all primary criteria with identical 25 V voltage rating and equivalent or improved lifetime ratings.
Upgrade Substitutes: Parts meeting all primary criteria with either higher voltage rating (35 V) or extended lifetime (5000 Hrs @ 105°C), providing enhanced performance margins.
Similar Substitutes: Parts meeting all primary criteria but with reduced lifetime ratings (1000 Hrs @ 105°C), suitable only where extended operational life is not required.
Parameter Comparison
| Part Number | Manufacturer | Series | Capacitance (µF) | Voltage (V) | Tolerance | ESR @ 120Hz (mOhm) | Lifetime @ 105°C (Hrs) | Height (mm) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 159LMU025M2DF | Cornell Dubilier / Illinois Capacitor | LMU | 15000 | 25 | ±20% | 44.21 | 2000 | 42.00 | Obsolete |
| 381LX153M025K032 | Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) | 381LX | 15000 | 25 | ±20% | — | 3000 | 37.00 | Active |
| SLP153M025E5P3 | Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) | SLP0712TE (750W) | 15000 | 25 | ±20% | 40.00 | 3000 | 35.00 | Active |
| 25VXG15000MEFC30X40 | Rubycon | VXG | 15000 | 25 | ±20% | — | 5000 | 42.00 | Active |
| 381LQ153M035K042 | Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) | 381LQ | 15000 | 35 | ±20% | 33.00 | 2000 | 42.00 | Active |
| B41505A5159M000 | EPCOS - TDK Electronics | B41505 | 15000 | 25 | ±20% | 22.00 | 5000 | 42.00 | Active |
| B41505A5159M7 | EPCOS - TDK Electronics | B41505 | 15000 | 25 | ±20% | 22.00 | 5000 | 42.00 | Active |
| LP153M025E7P3 | Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) | LP | 15000 | 25 | ±20% | 33.00 | 1000 | 40.00 | Active |
Engineering Selection Recommendations
Direct Substitutes (Preferred for Drop-In Replacement):
381LX153M025K032 and SLP153M025E5P3 are direct substitutes meeting all primary electrical and mechanical criteria with active product status. Both parts maintain 25 V voltage rating and ±20% tolerance. SLP153M025E5P3 offers improved ESR performance (40 mOhm @ 120Hz versus 44.21 mOhm) and extended lifetime (3000 Hrs @ 105°C). 381LX153M025K032 provides compact form factor (37.00 mm height versus 42.00 mm). Both are RoHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected.
Upgrade Substitutes (Enhanced Performance):
25VXG15000MEFC30X40 (Rubycon VXG series) provides maximum lifetime extension (5000 Hrs @ 105°C) with identical 25 V rating and 42.00 mm height matching the original part. RoHS3 compliant with extensive inventory availability (273,882 pcs).
B41505A5159M000 and B41505A5159M7 (EPCOS - TDK Electronics B41505 series) deliver superior ESR performance (22 mOhm @ 100Hz) and extended lifetime (5000 Hrs @ 105°C). Both maintain 25 V rating and 42.00 mm height. RoHS3 compliant. B41505A5159M000 and B41505A5159M7 are functionally equivalent variants.
381LQ153M035K042 (Cornell Dubilier 381LQ series) provides voltage rating upgrade to 35 V with improved ESR (33 mOhm @ 120Hz). Maintains 42.00 mm height and 2000 Hrs @ 105°C lifetime. RoHS3 compliant. Suitable where higher voltage margin is required.
Similar Substitute (Limited Lifetime Application):
LP153M025E7P3 (Cornell Dubilier LP series) meets all primary criteria but operates at reduced lifetime (1000 Hrs @ 105°C). Selection limited to applications where extended operational life is not required. RoHS3 compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can 381LX153M025K032 replace 159LMU025M2DF in existing designs?
A: Yes. 381LX153M025K032 meets all primary substitution criteria: 15000 µF capacitance, 25 V rating, ±20% tolerance, radial snap-in package, 10.00 mm lead spacing, and 30.00 mm diameter. The reduced height (37.00 mm versus 42.00 mm) provides mechanical compatibility with standard PCB layouts. Extended lifetime (3000 Hrs @ 105°C) improves reliability over the original 2000 Hrs rating.
Q: What is the difference between B41505A5159M000 and B41505A5159M7?
A: Both parts are functionally equivalent with identical electrical specifications: 15000 µF, 25 V, ±20% tolerance, 22 mOhm ESR @ 100Hz, and 5000 Hrs @ 105°C lifetime. Packaging designation differs (Bulk versus unspecified), but mechanical form factor and electrical performance are identical.
Q: When should 381LQ153M035K042 be selected over other substitutes?
A: 381LQ153M035K042 is selected when circuit design requires voltage rating upgrade to 35 V. This part maintains identical capacitance (15000 µF), tolerance (±20%), and mechanical form factor while providing enhanced voltage margin. ESR performance improves to 33 mOhm @ 120Hz. Lifetime remains 2000 Hrs @ 105°C.
Q: Is SLP153M025E5P3 suitable for high-ripple-current applications?
A: SLP153M025E5P3 supports ripple current of 3.6 A @ 120 Hz and 4.5 A @ 20 kHz. Comparison with original 159LMU025M2DF (3.13 A @ 120 Hz and 3.9125 A @ 100 kHz) shows improved high-frequency ripple current handling. Selection depends on specific application ripple current requirements.
Q: What is the maximum operating temperature for all substitute parts?
A: All substitute parts maintain the same operating temperature range as the original: -40°C to 105°C. Lifetime ratings (1000 to 5000 Hrs) are specified at 105°C maximum operating temperature.
Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS3 compliant?
A: All active substitute parts listed are RoHS3 compliant. The original 159LMU025M2DF (obsolete status) does not specify RoHS compliance. All substitutes are REACH unaffected.
Q: Can LP153M025E7P3 be used in long-term reliability applications?
A: LP153M025E7P3 operates at reduced lifetime (1000 Hrs @ 105°C) compared to the original 2000 Hrs rating. Selection is limited to applications where extended operational life is not required. For long-term reliability applications, direct substitutes (381LX153M025K032, SLP153M025E5P3) or upgrade substitutes (25VXG15000MEFC30X40, B41505A5159M000, B41505A5159M7) are recommended.
Q: What is the lead spacing and diameter for all substitute parts?
A: All substitute parts maintain identical mechanical specifications: 10.00 mm lead spacing and 30.00 mm diameter. Height varies from 35.00 mm to 42.00 mm depending on series design. Standard PCB snap-in footprints accommodate all listed substitutes.
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