Littelfuse 169.5401 Automotive Fuse - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Littelfuse 169.5401 is a 40A 32VDC automotive blade fuse designed for vehicle electrical protection circuits. This component operates as a slow-blow fuse with a maximum breaking capacity of 1kA and is housed in a blade-type package requiring a dedicated holder for installation.

The 169.5401 carries an obsolete product status, indicating it is no longer in active production. Identifying equivalent substitute parts is necessary to maintain design continuity and ensure uninterrupted supply for repair, maintenance, and new assembly applications.

Substiute Parts

169.5401

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 1027169.5401 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

0299040.TXN

LittelfuseIn Stock: 9880299040.TXN Datasheet

DirectRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the 169.5401 is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

• Current Rating: 40 A (exact match required)
• Voltage Rating (DC): 32 V (exact match required)
• Response Time: Slow Blow (exact match required)
• Package Type: Blade, Max (exact match required)
• Mounting Type: Requires Holder (exact match required)
• Breaking Capacity: 1 kA (exact match required)

The substitute part 0299040.TXN meets all mandatory electrical and mechanical criteria for direct substitution. Both components share identical current, voltage, response characteristics, and physical package specifications, ensuring functional compatibility in automotive fuse holder applications.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

The 0299040.TXN is the direct equivalent substitute for the obsolete 169.5401. Both components are manufactured by Littelfuse and provide identical electrical performance across all critical parameters: 40A current rating, 32V DC voltage rating, slow-blow response, and 1kA breaking capacity.

The 0299040.TXN offers additional advantages for new designs and ongoing applications:

• Active product status ensures continued availability and supply chain reliability
• ROHS3 compliance meets current environmental and regulatory requirements
• DIN, ISO, and SAE approvals provide international standards certification
• Defined operating temperature range (-40°C ~ 125°C) supports automotive environmental specifications
• Slightly lower DC cold resistance (0.00142 Ohms vs. 0.0016 Ohms) provides marginal efficiency improvement

For applications currently using the 169.5401, direct replacement with 0299040.TXN requires no circuit modifications or holder changes, as physical dimensions and electrical characteristics remain equivalent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 0299040.TXN directly replace the 169.5401 in existing applications?

A: Yes. Both components share identical current ratings (40A), voltage ratings (32V DC), response characteristics (slow-blow), package types (Blade, Max), and breaking capacities (1kA). No circuit or holder modifications are required.

Q: What is the difference between the OFK3 and MAXI® series designations?

A: OFK3 and MAXI® are internal Littelfuse series classifications. The 169.5401 belongs to the OFK3 series (now obsolete), while the 0299040.TXN belongs to the MAXI® series (active production). Both series use identical Blade, Max package specifications and are mechanically and electrically interchangeable.

Q: Does the lower DC cold resistance of the 0299040.TXN affect compatibility?

A: No. The DC cold resistance difference (0.00142 Ohms vs. 0.0016 Ohms) is within normal manufacturing tolerance and does not impact functional compatibility or circuit performance in automotive fuse applications.

Q: Are there compliance differences between these parts?

A: Yes. The 0299040.TXN is ROHS3 compliant and carries DIN, ISO, and SAE approvals, while the 169.5401 is RoHS non-compliant with no specified approval agencies. For new designs and regulated applications, the 0299040.TXN is the preferred selection.

Q: Will the 0299040.TXN fit in existing 169.5401 fuse holders?

A: Yes. Both components use the Blade, Max package type with equivalent physical dimensions (1.150" L × 0.348" W × 0.850" H for the 0299040.TXN vs. 1.169" L × 0.358" W × 0.839" H for the 169.5401). Dimensional variations are within standard automotive fuse holder tolerances.

Q: What is the melting I²t difference, and does it matter?

A: The 169.5401 has a melting I²t of 13000, while the 0299040.TXN has 8450. Both values fall within the slow-blow fuse classification for 40A automotive applications. The difference reflects manufacturing process improvements in the MAXI® series and does not affect substitution eligibility.