1N5250 Zener Diode Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 1N5250 is a through-hole zener diode rated for 20 V nominal zener voltage with 500 mW maximum power dissipation in a DO-35 axial package. This component is classified as obsolete, making identification of active equivalent parts essential for ongoing design support and procurement continuity. Substitute parts must maintain electrical performance across voltage regulation, power handling, and thermal characteristics while meeting current manufacturing and compliance standards.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit	Significance for Substitution
Voltage - Zener (Nom)	20	V	Primary functional specification; must match exactly
Power - Max	500	mW	Thermal and current handling capability; must match or exceed
Impedance (Max)	25	Ohms	Dynamic impedance; affects voltage regulation stability
Current - Reverse Leakage @ Vr	100 nA @ 15 V	nA	Reverse bias leakage; affects circuit standby current
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If	1.1 V @ 200 mA	V	Forward conduction voltage; affects circuit efficiency
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—	PCB assembly compatibility; must match
Package / Case	DO-35, DO-204AH, Axial	—	Physical form factor; must be compatible with board layout
Operating Temperature	200°C (max)	°C	Thermal operating range; affects reliability in target environment

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 1N5250 is determined by strict equivalence across the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Matching Parameters:

Zener voltage: 20 V nominal
Maximum power dissipation: 500 mW
Package type: DO-35 axial through-hole
Impedance (Max): 25 Ohms
Forward voltage: 1.1 V @ 200 mA
Reverse leakage: 100 nA specification

Allowable Variations:

Zener voltage tolerance: Substitute may include tolerance specification (e.g., ±5%) not present in original part
Operating temperature range: Substitute may extend lower temperature limit while maintaining 200°C maximum
Packaging format: Tape & Reel (TR) is acceptable for the same component in bulk supply configuration
Product status: Active substitutes are preferred over obsolete originals
Compliance certifications: RoHS3 and REACH compliance are acceptable enhancements

The 1N5250B TR PBFREE meets all substitution criteria through identical electrical specifications and compatible packaging while offering active product status and enhanced compliance documentation.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	1N5250	1N5250B TR PBFREE	Match Status
Manufacturer	SMC Diode Solutions	Central Semiconductor Corp	Different manufacturer
Voltage - Zener (Nom)	20 V	20 V	Equivalent
Power - Max	500 mW	500 mW	Equivalent
Impedance (Max)	25 Ohms	25 Ohms	Equivalent
Current - Reverse Leakage @ Vr	100 nA @ 15 V	100 nA @ 14 V	Equivalent (measured at different voltage)
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If	1.1 V @ 200 mA	1.1 V @ 200 mA	Equivalent
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Equivalent
Package / Case	DO-35, DO-204AH, Axial	DO-35, DO-204AH, Axial	Equivalent
Operating Temperature	200°C (max)	-65°C ~ 200°C	Substitute extends range
Zener Voltage Tolerance	Not specified	±5%	Substitute specifies tolerance
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Substitute is active
Packaging Format	Bulk	Tape & Reel (TR)	Different supply format
RoHS Status	Not specified	ROHS3 Compliant	Substitute compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitute: 1N5250B TR PBFREE

The 1N5250B TR PBFREE from Central Semiconductor Corp is the direct functional equivalent for the obsolete 1N5250. Selection of this substitute is based on the following engineering criteria:

Electrical Equivalence: All critical electrical parameters match the original specification: 20 V zener voltage, 500 mW power rating, 25 Ohms maximum impedance, and identical forward/reverse characteristics. The substitute maintains the same functional performance in voltage regulation and protection circuits.

Product Status: The 1N5250B TR PBFREE carries active product status, ensuring ongoing availability and manufacturing support. This addresses the primary limitation of the obsolete 1N5250, which faces procurement discontinuity.

Compliance and Certifications: The substitute meets ROHS3 compliance and maintains REACH unaffected status, aligning with current regulatory requirements for electronic components. Both parts share identical ECCN and HTSUS classifications.

Thermal Performance: The substitute extends the operating temperature range to -65°C ~ 200°C, providing enhanced low-temperature capability while maintaining the 200°C maximum rating of the original.

Package Compatibility: Both parts use the DO-35 axial through-hole package. The substitute is supplied in Tape & Reel format, which is standard for production environments and does not affect electrical or mechanical compatibility with through-hole PCB assembly processes.

Tolerance Specification: The substitute includes ±5% zener voltage tolerance, providing explicit specification of voltage accuracy not documented in the original part.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 1N5250B TR PBFREE be used as a direct replacement for the 1N5250 in existing designs?

A: Yes. The 1N5250B TR PBFREE is electrically and mechanically equivalent. Both components share identical zener voltage (20 V), power rating (500 mW), impedance (25 Ohms), and DO-35 axial package configuration. The substitute is suitable for direct PCB substitution without circuit modification.

Q: What is the difference between the 1N5250 and 1N5250B TR PBFREE packaging formats?

A: The 1N5250 is supplied in bulk packaging, while the 1N5250B TR PBFREE is supplied in Tape & Reel (TR) format. Tape & Reel is the standard supply method for automated assembly processes. Both formats contain the same component in the DO-35 package. The packaging format does not affect electrical performance or through-hole assembly compatibility.

Q: Does the ±5% tolerance specification on the 1N5250B TR PBFREE affect substitution compatibility?

A: No. The ±5% tolerance on the substitute is an explicit specification of voltage accuracy. The original 1N5250 does not document a tolerance specification, but the substitute's ±5% tolerance is within acceptable zener diode manufacturing standards and does not compromise circuit performance. The nominal 20 V zener voltage remains identical.

Q: Are there compliance differences between the 1N5250 and 1N5250B TR PBFREE?

A: The 1N5250B TR PBFREE includes ROHS3 compliance certification, while the original 1N5250 does not specify RoHS status. Both parts maintain REACH unaffected status and share identical ECCN (EAR99) and HTSUS (8541.10.0050) classifications. The substitute meets current regulatory requirements for electronic component procurement.

Q: What is the significance of the extended operating temperature range on the 1N5250B TR PBFREE?

A: The substitute extends the lower operating temperature limit to -65°C, compared to the original specification of 200°C maximum only. This provides enhanced capability for low-temperature environments. Both parts maintain the same 200°C maximum operating temperature. The extended range does not affect performance in applications within the original temperature specification.

Q: Can the 1N5250B TR PBFREE be used in high-volume production?

A: Yes. The Tape & Reel packaging format of the 1N5250B TR PBFREE is specifically designed for automated assembly processes and high-volume production. This format is standard in manufacturing environments and provides improved handling efficiency compared to bulk packaging.

Q: Are there any electrical performance differences in reverse leakage current between the two parts?

A: Both parts specify 100 nA reverse leakage current. The original 1N5250 specifies this measurement at 15 V, while the 1N5250B TR PBFREE specifies it at 14 V. This minor difference in measurement voltage does not affect circuit performance, as reverse leakage remains within the same specification range.

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