Honeywell 381L5K Potentiometer - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Honeywell 381L5K is a 5k Ohm 1 Watt linear panel mount potentiometer featuring conductive plastic resistive material and solder lug termination. This component is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of active equivalent parts for ongoing applications and new designs. The 381L5K series potentiometer is designed for user-defined adjustment applications requiring 1 Watt power dissipation capability and linear taper characteristics.

Substiute Parts

381L5K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity SolutionsIn Stock: 1098381L5K Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

3852C-162-502AL

Bourns Inc.In Stock: 12503852C-162-502AL Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the obsolete Honeywell 381L5K is based on the following critical parameters that must remain constant or compatible:

Core Electrical Parameters (Must Match):

• Resistance value: 5k Ohm
• Tolerance: ±10%
• Taper: Linear
• Number of gangs: 1
• Number of turns: 1

Core Mechanical Parameters (Must Match):

• Termination style: Solder Lug
• Mounting type: Panel Mount
• Bushing thread: 1/4-32
• Actuator type: Slotted
• Actuator diameter: 0.125" (3.18mm)

Parameters Allowing Variation:

• Power rating: Substitute may exceed 1W (higher power rating is acceptable for backward compatibility)
• Resistive material: Cermet is acceptable as alternative to conductive plastic
• Rotation angle: Minor variation acceptable (280° to 300°)
• Body diameter: Slight increase acceptable (0.750" vs 0.625")
• Actuator length: Minor variation acceptable (0.500" vs 0.438")

The Bourns 3852C-162-502AL meets all core electrical and mechanical requirements while providing enhanced power rating (2W) and active product status.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

The Bourns 3852C-162-502AL potentiometer is the qualified substitute for the obsolete Honeywell 381L5K based on the following engineering criteria:

Product Status Advantage: The 3852C-162-502AL maintains active product status with current manufacturing and supply chain availability, eliminating obsolescence risk associated with the 381L5K.

Compliance and Certification: Both components maintain RoHS compliance. The Bourns substitute achieves ROHS3 compliance and is REACH Affected, meeting current regulatory requirements. The Honeywell original is RoHS Compliant with MSL 1 (Unlimited).

Electrical Equivalence: Resistance value, tolerance, taper, and gang configuration are identical. The 2W power rating of the substitute exceeds the 1W requirement, providing design margin and thermal headroom for the application.

Mechanical Compatibility: All critical mounting parameters align: identical bushing thread (1/4-32), termination style (solder lug), actuator type (slotted), and actuator diameter (0.125"). Minor dimensional variations in body diameter and actuator length do not affect functional compatibility in standard panel mount applications.

Material Consideration: The Bourns substitute employs Cermet resistive material versus the conductive plastic of the original. Cermet construction provides enhanced temperature stability (±150ppm/°C specified) and is standard in active potentiometer designs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the Bourns 3852C-162-502AL directly replace the Honeywell 381L5K in existing designs?

A: Yes. The substitute maintains identical electrical specifications (5k Ohm, ±10%, linear taper, 1 gang, 1 turn) and critical mechanical parameters (1/4-32 bushing thread, solder lug termination, slotted actuator, 0.125" actuator diameter, panel mount configuration). The higher 2W power rating is backward compatible with 1W applications.

Q: What are the dimensional differences between these potentiometers?

A: The Bourns 3852C-162-502AL has a larger body diameter (0.750" versus 0.625") and longer actuator (0.500" versus 0.438"). These differences are minor and do not affect standard panel mount installations. Verify panel cutout dimensions if space constraints exist.

Q: Does the change from conductive plastic to Cermet material affect performance?

A: Cermet material provides improved temperature stability (±150ppm/°C) compared to conductive plastic construction. This is a performance enhancement suitable for applications requiring greater thermal consistency. Functional behavior in standard adjustment applications remains equivalent.

Q: Are there packaging differences between the original and substitute?

A: The Honeywell 381L5K is packaged in standard format with 1010 pieces in stock. The Bourns 3852C-162-502AL is supplied in Bulk packaging with 1224 pieces available. Both are new original components.

Q: What is the rotation angle difference?

A: The Honeywell 381L5K provides 300° rotation while the Bourns 3852C-162-502AL provides 280° rotation. This 20° difference is minor and does not affect linear taper applications where full-range adjustment is required within the specified rotation range.

Q: Are both components RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. The Honeywell 381L5K is RoHS Compliant. The Bourns 3852C-162-502AL achieves ROHS3 Compliant status, representing current regulatory compliance. Both components meet environmental requirements for electronic component manufacturing.

Q: What is the temperature coefficient specification for the substitute?

A: The Bourns 3852C-162-502AL specifies ±150ppm/°C temperature coefficient. The original Honeywell 381L5K does not provide this specification in the available documentation. The Bourns specification indicates stable performance across temperature ranges typical for potentiometer applications.