381LQ331M350J042 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Cornell Dubilier Electronics 381LQ331M350J042 is a 330 µF, 350 V aluminum electrolytic capacitor in radial, can snap-in configuration. This component is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of equivalent and substitute parts for ongoing design support and procurement. The part operates across a temperature range of -25°C to 105°C with a rated lifetime of 2000 hours at 105°C, making it suitable for general-purpose applications requiring stable capacitance and low equivalent series resistance.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Capacitance	330 µF
Tolerance	±20%
Voltage - Rated	350 V
ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance)	502 mOhm @ 120 Hz
Lifetime @ Temperature	2000 Hrs @ 105°C
Operating Temperature Range	-25°C ~ 105°C
Ripple Current @ 120 Hz	1.2 A
Ripple Current @ 20 kHz	1.68 A
Lead Spacing	0.394" (10.00 mm)
Diameter	0.984" (25.00 mm)
Height - Seated (Max)	1.654" (42.00 mm)
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Package / Case	Radial, Can - Snap-In
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)
REACH Status	REACH Unaffected

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 381LQ331M350J042 is determined by strict adherence to the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Critical Parameters for Direct Substitution:

Capacitance: 330 µF (exact match required)
Voltage Rating: 350 V (minimum; higher voltage ratings are acceptable upgrades)
Tolerance: ±20% (standard tolerance for this capacitor class)
Package Type: Radial, Can - Snap-In (mechanical compatibility)
Lead Spacing: 0.394" (10.00 mm) (PCB footprint requirement)
Diameter: 0.984" (25.00 mm) (physical envelope constraint)
Height: 1.654" (42.00 mm) (spatial clearance requirement)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (assembly process compatibility)
Operating Temperature: -25°C ~ 105°C (thermal operating window)
Polarization: Polar (electrical polarity requirement)

Parameters Allowing Variation:

ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance): Variation permitted based on manufacturer design
Lifetime @ Temperature: Extended lifetimes (3000 Hrs, 5000 Hrs) are acceptable improvements
Ripple Current: Variation permitted based on manufacturer specifications
Product Status: Active parts are preferred over obsolete classifications

Substitute parts are grouped into three categories: Similar CDE series parts with identical electrical specifications, direct equivalents from alternative manufacturers with matching parameters, and upgrade options with enhanced voltage ratings or extended thermal lifetimes.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Capacitance	Voltage	Tolerance	Lifetime @ 105°C	Diameter	Height	Lead Spacing	Product Status	RoHS3
381LQ331M350J042	Cornell Dubilier	330 µF	350 V	±20%	2000 Hrs	0.984" (25.00 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Obsolete	Yes
381LQ331M350K022	Cornell Dubilier	330 µF	350 V	±20%	2000 Hrs	1.181" (30.00 mm)	1.260" (32.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
381LX331M350A022	Cornell Dubilier	330 µF	350 V	±20%	3000 Hrs	1.378" (35.00 mm)	1.260" (32.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
381LX331M350J052	Cornell Dubilier	330 µF	350 V	±20%	3000 Hrs	0.984" (25.00 mm)	2.047" (52.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
381LX331M350K042	Cornell Dubilier	330 µF	350 V	±20%	3000 Hrs	1.181" (30.00 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
350VXH330MEFC25X40	Rubycon	330 µF	350 V	±20%	5000 Hrs	0.984" (25.00 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
EKMQ351VSN331MQ40S	Chemi-Con	330 µF	350 V	±20%	2000 Hrs	1.000" (25.40 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
LGN2V331MELA40	Nichicon	330 µF	350 V	±20%	3000 Hrs	0.984" (25.00 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
LQS2V331MELA40	Nichicon	330 µF	350 V	±20%	3000 Hrs	0.984" (25.00 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
400VXH330MEFC25X40	Rubycon	330 µF	400 V	±20%	5000 Hrs	0.984" (25.00 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes
400VXH330MEFCSN25X40	Rubycon	330 µF	400 V	±20%	5000 Hrs	0.984" (25.00 mm)	1.654" (42.00 mm)	0.394" (10.00 mm)	Active	Yes

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Substitutes (Identical Electrical and Mechanical Specifications):

The following parts provide direct substitution with identical physical envelope and electrical performance:

350VXH330MEFC25X40 (Rubycon): Matches all critical parameters including 0.984" diameter and 1.654" height. Offers extended 5000-hour lifetime at 105°C versus the original 2000-hour specification. Active product status with ROHS3 compliance and unlimited MSL rating.
EKMQ351VSN331MQ40S (Chemi-Con): Maintains 330 µF, 350 V specifications with 1.654" height. Diameter of 1.000" (25.40 mm) is within acceptable tolerance of the original 0.984" (25.00 mm). Active product with 2000-hour lifetime matching the original part.
LGN2V331MELA40 (Nichicon): Exact dimensional match at 0.984" diameter and 1.654" height. Provides 3000-hour lifetime improvement. Active product status with ROHS3 compliance.
LQS2V331MELA40 (Nichicon): Identical to LGN2V331MELA40 with exact dimensional match and 3000-hour lifetime. Highest inventory availability (273,982 pieces) among direct substitutes.

Cornell Dubilier Series Alternatives (Same Manufacturer):

381LX331M350J052: Maintains original diameter of 0.984" and 350 V rating with extended 3000-hour lifetime. Height increases to 2.047" (52.00 mm), requiring verification of available vertical clearance in the application.
381LX331M350K042: Provides 3000-hour lifetime with 1.654" height matching the original. Diameter increases to 1.181" (30.00 mm), requiring PCB layout verification.
381LQ331M350K022: Active CDE part with identical electrical specifications. Dimensional changes (1.181" diameter, 1.260" height) require layout confirmation.

Voltage Upgrade Options:

400VXH330MEFC25X40 and 400VXH330MEFCSN25X40 (Rubycon): Provide identical physical envelope with upgraded 400 V rating and extended 5000-hour lifetime. These parts are suitable for applications where higher voltage margin is beneficial. The 400 V rating is backward-compatible with 350 V circuit designs.

Selection Criteria:

For direct replacement without layout modification: Select 350VXH330MEFC25X40, LGN2V331MELA40, or LQS2V331MELA40.
For extended thermal lifetime with same footprint: Select LQS2V331MELA40 (3000 hours) or 350VXH330MEFC25X40 (5000 hours).
For voltage margin improvement: Select 400VXH330MEFC25X40 or 400VXH330MEFCSN25X40.
For same-manufacturer continuity: Select 381LX331M350J052 or 381LX331M350K042 with dimensional verification.

All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance, REACH unaffected status, and through-hole snap-in mounting compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 381LQ331M350J042 be replaced with a higher voltage-rated capacitor?

A: Yes. The 400VXH330MEFC25X40 and 400VXH330MEFCSN25X40 provide 400 V rating in identical physical dimensions. Higher voltage ratings are backward-compatible with 350 V circuit designs and provide additional safety margin.

Q: What is the significance of the diameter and height specifications in substitution?

A: The diameter (0.984" or 25.00 mm) and height (1.654" or 42.00 mm) define the physical envelope required for PCB mounting and clearance to adjacent components. Substitutes with different dimensions require verification of available space. The lead spacing (0.394" or 10.00 mm) must remain constant for through-hole PCB compatibility.

Q: Are there differences in ripple current handling between the original part and substitutes?

A: Yes. The original 381LQ331M350J042 specifies 1.2 A @ 120 Hz and 1.68 A @ 20 kHz. Substitute parts from Rubycon (350VXH330MEFC25X40) specify 1.69 A @ 120 Hz and 2.366 A @ 10 kHz, indicating higher ripple current capacity. Chemi-Con and Nichicon parts specify 1.2 A @ 120 Hz with variations at higher frequencies. Selection should confirm ripple current requirements of the application.

Q: What is the difference between the 381LQ and 381LX series from Cornell Dubilier?

A: The 381LQ series specifies 2000-hour lifetime at 105°C, while the 381LX series provides extended 3000-hour lifetime. Both series maintain identical electrical ratings (330 µF, 350 V, ±20% tolerance) and snap-in package configuration. The 381LX series represents an improved thermal endurance specification.

Q: Why do some substitute parts have different ESR specifications?

A: ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) varies by manufacturer design and construction. The original part specifies 502 mOhm @ 120 Hz. Substitute parts from different manufacturers may not publish ESR values or may specify different measurement conditions. ESR affects ripple current handling and heat dissipation; applications with strict ESR requirements should verify manufacturer datasheets.

Q: Is the LQS2V331MELA40 preferred over LGN2V331MELA40?

A: Both Nichicon parts are electrically and mechanically identical with 330 µF, 350 V, 3000-hour lifetime, and matching physical dimensions. The LQS2V331MELA40 has significantly higher inventory availability (273,982 pieces versus 744 pieces), making it the preferred choice for procurement continuity.

Q: Can the 381LQ331M350J042 be replaced with a part having different lead spacing?

A: No. The lead spacing of 0.394" (10.00 mm) is a critical PCB footprint parameter. All recommended substitutes maintain this spacing to ensure through-hole mounting compatibility without PCB redesign.

Q: What does "Snap-In" package configuration mean?

A: Snap-In refers to the mechanical mounting method where the capacitor's leads insert into PCB holes and the cylindrical can body snaps into place against the PCB surface. This configuration is distinct from other through-hole packages and requires compatible PCB mounting hardware. All recommended substitutes maintain this snap-in configuration.

Q: Are there compliance differences between substitute parts?

A: All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, matching the original part's regulatory compliance. Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) varies: the original part specifies MSL 1 (Unlimited), while some substitutes specify the same or "Not Applicable." This variation does not affect substitution suitability for standard storage and handling conditions.

Q: What is the practical difference between 2000-hour and 5000-hour lifetime ratings?

A: Lifetime ratings specify the expected operational duration at maximum rated temperature (105°C) before capacitance degradation exceeds tolerance limits. A 5000-hour rating (Rubycon VXH series) provides extended service life compared to 2000-hour (original 381LQ series) or 3000-hour (381LX series) ratings. Selection depends on application duty cycle and required service intervals.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message