2N685A Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 2N685A is a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) rated for 200V off-state voltage and 25A RMS on-state current, designed for standard recovery applications in chassis and stud mount configurations. Manufactured by Central Semiconductor Corp, this component is classified as obsolete, making equivalent substitutes necessary for new designs and ongoing production requirements. The 2N685A operates across a temperature range of -65°C to 125°C and is housed in a TO-48 package format.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Voltage - Off State	200	V
Current - On State (It (RMS)) (Max)	25	A
Voltage - Gate Trigger (Vgt) (Max)	2	V
Current - Gate Trigger (Igt) (Max)	40	mA
Voltage - On State (Vtm) (Max)	2	V
Current - Hold (Ih) (Max)	50	mA
Operating Temperature Range	-65 to 125	°C
SCR Type	Standard Recovery	—
Mounting Type	Chassis, Stud Mount	—
Package / Case	TO-208AA, TO-48-3, Stud	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 2N685A is determined by electrical and mechanical parameter alignment within the thyristor category. The primary substitution criteria are:

Voltage Rating: Off-state voltage must equal 200V
Current Rating: On-state RMS current must equal or exceed 25A
Gate Characteristics: Gate trigger voltage (Vgt) and current (Igt) must remain within specified maximums
On-State Voltage: Forward voltage drop (Vtm) must not exceed specified maximum
Hold Current: Must be compatible with circuit requirements
SCR Type: Standard Recovery classification required
Mounting Configuration: Chassis and stud mount compatibility required
Package Format: TO-48 or equivalent mechanical footprint

The VS-2N685 manufactured by Vishay General Semiconductor meets all substitution criteria for the 2N685A.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	2N685A (Central Semiconductor)	VS-2N685 (Vishay)	Match Status
Voltage - Off State	200 V	200 V	Equivalent
Current - On State (It (RMS)) (Max)	25 A	25 A	Equivalent
Voltage - Gate Trigger (Vgt) (Max)	2 V	2 V	Equivalent
Current - Gate Trigger (Igt) (Max)	40 mA	40 mA	Equivalent
Voltage - On State (Vtm) (Max)	2 V	2 V	Equivalent
Current - Hold (Ih) (Max)	50 mA	20 mA	Substitute Lower
Current - Off State (Max)	12 mA	6 mA	Substitute Lower
Operating Temperature Range	-65 to 125 °C	-65 to 125 °C	Equivalent
SCR Type	Standard Recovery	Standard Recovery	Equivalent
Mounting Type	Chassis, Stud Mount	Chassis, Stud Mount	Equivalent
Package / Case	TO-208AA, TO-48-3, Stud	TO-208AA, TO-48-3, Stud	Equivalent

Engineering Selection Recommendations

The VS-2N685 is the direct manufacturer-recommended substitute for the obsolete 2N685A. Both devices share identical electrical ratings for voltage, gate trigger characteristics, and on-state current specifications. The VS-2N685 is manufactured by Vishay General Semiconductor and maintains active product status, ensuring ongoing availability and supply chain continuity.

The VS-2N685 holds ROHS3 compliance and EAR99 export classification, compared to the 2N685A's RoHS non-compliant status and obsolete designation. The hold current (Ih) and off-state current (Ioff) of the VS-2N685 are lower than the original part, which represents an improvement in leakage characteristics and does not restrict substitution in standard recovery SCR applications.

Both devices are housed in TO-208AA (TO-48) stud mount packages with identical mechanical and thermal characteristics, ensuring direct replacement without circuit board modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the VS-2N685 directly replace the 2N685A in existing designs?

A: Yes. The VS-2N685 meets all electrical and mechanical specifications of the 2N685A. Both devices are rated for 200V off-state voltage, 25A RMS on-state current, and identical gate trigger characteristics. The TO-48 stud mount package is mechanically compatible without board redesign.

Q: What is the significance of the lower hold current in the VS-2N685?

A: The VS-2N685 specifies a maximum hold current of 20 mA compared to the 2N685A's 50 mA. Lower hold current represents improved device characteristics and does not restrict substitution. Standard recovery SCR applications operate within these parameters without performance degradation.

Q: Why is the 2N685A classified as obsolete?

A: The 2N685A is no longer manufactured by Central Semiconductor Corp. The VS-2N685 is the active equivalent from Vishay General Semiconductor, ensuring continued availability for new production and replacement applications.

Q: Are there compliance differences between the two parts?

A: Yes. The VS-2N685 is ROHS3 compliant and carries EAR99 export classification. The 2N685A is RoHS non-compliant. For applications requiring RoHS compliance, the VS-2N685 is the appropriate selection.

Q: What is the package compatibility between 2N685A and VS-2N685?

A: Both devices use the TO-208AA (TO-48-3) stud mount package. The mechanical footprint, thermal interface, and mounting configuration are identical, enabling direct substitution without modifications to mounting hardware or circuit board layout.

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