381LR331M250H032 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 381LR331M250H032 is a 330 µF, 250 V aluminum electrolytic capacitor manufactured by Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) in a radial, can snap-in package. This component is classified as obsolete, though 1101 pieces remain in stock as new original inventory. The part operates across a temperature range of -40°C to 105°C with a rated lifetime of 3000 hours at 105°C and an equivalent series resistance (ESR) of 452 mOhm at 120 Hz.

Due to its obsolete status, equivalent and substitute parts from active product lines are necessary for new designs and long-term procurement planning. Suitable alternatives maintain the core electrical specifications—330 µF capacitance, 250 V voltage rating, ±20% tolerance, and through-hole radial snap-in mounting—while offering active product status and continued availability.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit	Substitution Criticality
Capacitance	330	µF	Critical
Voltage Rating	250	V	Critical
Tolerance	±20%	%	Critical
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—	Critical
Package Type	Radial, Can - Snap-In	—	Critical
Lead Spacing	0.394" (10.00 mm)	in (mm)	Critical
Operating Temperature Range	-40°C to 105°C	°C	Critical
Lifetime @ 105°C	3000	Hrs	Important
ESR @ 120 Hz	452	mOhm	Important
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—	Important

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution logic for the 381LR331M250H032 is based on strict electrical and mechanical compatibility. All substitute parts must satisfy the following mandatory criteria:

Critical Parameters (Must Match Exactly):

Capacitance: 330 µF
Voltage Rating: 250 V
Tolerance: ±20%
Mounting Type: Through Hole
Package Type: Radial, Can - Snap-In
Lead Spacing: 0.394" (10.00 mm)
Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to 105°C

Important Parameters (Should Match or Exceed):

Lifetime @ 105°C: 3000 hours or greater
ESR: 452 mOhm or lower (lower ESR indicates better performance)
RoHS Compliance: ROHS3 Compliant

Physical Dimensions: Substitute parts may vary in diameter and height. The main part measures 0.866" diameter × 1.457" height (seated). Substitutes with different dimensions remain valid if they fit the application's physical constraints and maintain all critical electrical parameters.

Substitutes are grouped into two categories:

Direct Equivalents: Parts with identical or superior electrical specifications and active product status
Similar Alternatives: Parts with comparable electrical performance but variations in ESR, lifetime, or physical dimensions

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Capacitance (µF)	Voltage (V)	Tolerance (%)	ESR @ Frequency (mOhm)	Lifetime @ 105°C (Hrs)	Diameter (in / mm)	Height (in / mm)	Product Status
381LR331M250H032	CDE	330	250	±20	452 @ 120 Hz	3000	0.866 / 22.00	1.457 / 37.00	Obsolete
381LR331M250H022	CDE	330	250	±20	452	3000	0.866 / 22.00	1.260 / 32.00	Active
381LQ331M250H022	CDE	330	250	±20	502 @ 120 Hz	2000	0.866 / 22.00	1.260 / 32.00	Active
381LR331M250J022	CDE	330	250	±20	452 @ 120 Hz	3000	0.984 / 25.00	1.260 / 32.00	Active
381LX331M250J022	CDE	330	250	±20	—	3000	0.984 / 25.00	1.260 / 32.00	Active
LP331M250E3P3	CDE	330	250	±20	750 @ 120 Hz	1000	1.181 / 30.00	1.181 / 30.00	Active
B43504D2337M80	EPCOS - TDK Electronics	330	250	±20	390 @ 100 Hz	3000	0.866 / 22.00	1.465 / 37.20	Active
B43504D2337M87	EPCOS - TDK Electronics	330	250	±20	390 @ 100 Hz	3000	0.866 / 22.00	1.465 / 37.20	Active
LGW2E331MELZ30	Nichicon	330	250	±20	—	3000	0.866 / 22.00	1.181 / 30.00	Active
B43504C2337M000	EPCOS - TDK Electronics	330	250	±20	390 @ 100 Hz	3000	0.984 / 25.00	1.260 / 32.00	Not For New Designs
LGU2E331MELZ	Nichicon	330	250	±20	—	3000	0.866 / 22.00	1.575 / 40.00	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Preferred Direct Equivalents for New Designs:

381LR331M250H022 (CDE, Active): Maintains identical electrical specifications to the main part with 452 mOhm ESR and 3000-hour lifetime. Reduced height (1.260" vs. 1.457") provides improved board space efficiency. Recommended as the primary replacement for the obsolete 381LR331M250H032.
B43504D2337M80 and B43504D2337M87 (EPCOS - TDK Electronics, Active): Both deliver superior ESR performance at 390 mOhm @ 100 Hz, matching the 3000-hour lifetime specification. Identical 0.866" diameter and 10.00 mm lead spacing ensure direct mechanical compatibility. Slightly increased height (1.465" vs. 1.457") is negligible for most applications.
LGW2E331MELZ30 (Nichicon, Active): Meets all critical electrical parameters with 3000-hour lifetime and superior ripple current handling (1.8 A @ 120 Hz). Compact height of 1.181" offers space advantages. ESR data not provided but 3000-hour rating indicates equivalent performance tier.

Secondary Alternatives for Specific Applications:

381LR331M250J022 (CDE, Active): Identical electrical specifications to the main part. Increased diameter (0.984" vs. 0.866") requires verification of board layout compatibility but maintains all electrical performance.
381LX331M250J022 (CDE, Active): Matches 3000-hour lifetime and core electrical parameters. Increased diameter (0.984") and lack of published ESR data require application-specific evaluation.
LGU2E331MELZ (Nichicon, Active): Provides 3000-hour lifetime with 1.3 A ripple current @ 120 Hz. Increased height (1.575") may present physical constraints in compact designs.

Not Recommended for New Designs:

381LQ331M250H022 (CDE, Active): Reduced lifetime (2000 hours vs. 3000 hours) and higher ESR (502 mOhm vs. 452 mOhm) indicate lower performance tier. Use only when space constraints or cost considerations override performance requirements.
LP331M250E3P3 (CDE, Active): Significantly higher ESR (750 mOhm) and reduced lifetime (1000 hours) make this unsuitable for applications requiring the original part's performance characteristics.
B43504C2337M000 (EPCOS - TDK Electronics, Not For New Designs): Product status explicitly prohibits use in new designs despite meeting electrical specifications.

Compliance Verification:

All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status, matching the regulatory posture of the original part. Moisture sensitivity level (MSL) is 1 (Unlimited) for CDE parts and Not Applicable for Nichicon parts, both acceptable for general-purpose applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use 381LR331M250H022 as a direct replacement for 381LR331M250H032?

A: Yes. Both parts share identical capacitance (330 µF), voltage rating (250 V), tolerance (±20%), ESR (452 mOhm), and lifetime (3000 hours @ 105°C). The 381LR331M250H022 is active and available. The primary difference is reduced height (1.260" vs. 1.457"), which improves board space utilization without affecting electrical performance.

Q: What is the significance of ESR differences between substitute parts?

A: Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) directly affects ripple current handling and heat dissipation. Lower ESR values indicate superior performance. The main part specifies 452 mOhm @ 120 Hz. EPCOS B43504 series parts offer 390 mOhm @ 100 Hz, representing approximately 14% lower ESR. This improvement enhances ripple current capacity and thermal stability. Higher ESR values (such as LP331M250E3P3 at 750 mOhm) reduce performance and are suitable only for non-critical applications.

Q: Does physical dimension variation affect substitutability?

A: Physical dimensions are application-dependent. All substitute parts maintain the critical 0.394" (10.00 mm) lead spacing and radial snap-in package type, ensuring mechanical compatibility with standard PCB footprints. Diameter variations (0.866" to 1.181") and height variations (1.181" to 1.575") require verification against available board space. Compact alternatives like LGW2E331MELZ30 (1.181" height) offer space advantages, while taller options like LGU2E331MELZ (1.575" height) may require layout adjustment.

Q: Why is lifetime @ 105°C an important selection criterion?

A: Lifetime rating indicates the expected operational duration under maximum temperature stress. The main part specifies 3000 hours @ 105°C. Substitutes with equal or greater lifetime (3000+ hours) maintain equivalent reliability. Parts with reduced lifetime (such as 381LQ331M250H022 at 2000 hours or LP331M250E3P3 at 1000 hours) experience accelerated aging and are unsuitable for applications requiring long-term stability.

Q: Are EPCOS B43504 series parts compatible with CDE 381LR series footprints?

A: Yes, with dimensional verification. Both series maintain 0.394" (10.00 mm) lead spacing and radial snap-in mounting. The B43504D2337M80 and B43504D2337M87 share identical 0.866" diameter with the main part, ensuring direct PCB compatibility. Height differences (1.465" vs. 1.457") are negligible for most applications. The B43504C2337M000 variant has increased diameter (0.984") and requires board layout confirmation.

Q: What is the difference between "Active" and "Not For New Designs" product status?

A: "Active" status indicates the part is in current production and available for new designs. "Not For New Designs" status (such as B43504C2337M000) indicates the part remains available but is being phased out. While electrically compatible, parts with this status should not be specified in new designs due to uncertain long-term availability. Use only for legacy system maintenance or when no active alternatives exist.

Q: Can I substitute a Nichicon part for a CDE part?

A: Yes, provided electrical and mechanical specifications align. Nichicon LGW2E331MELZ30 and LGU2E331MELZ both meet the 330 µF, 250 V, ±20% tolerance, and 3000-hour lifetime requirements. Lead spacing (10.00 mm) and radial snap-in package ensure mechanical compatibility. ESR data is not published for Nichicon parts, but 3000-hour lifetime indicates equivalent performance tier to CDE 381LR series. Cross-manufacturer substitution is acceptable when specifications match.

Q: Why do some substitute parts lack published ESR values?

A: ESR is a frequency-dependent parameter that varies with measurement conditions. Some manufacturers publish ESR at specific frequencies (100 Hz, 120 Hz, 20 kHz), while others provide impedance data or omit this specification in standard datasheets. Parts without published ESR but with matching lifetime ratings (3000 hours @ 105°C) are considered equivalent in performance tier. For applications requiring specific ESR values, contact the manufacturer for detailed specifications.

Q: Is RoHS3 compliance mandatory for substitution?

A: For applications subject to RoHS regulations (primarily European markets and regulated industries), RoHS3 compliance is mandatory. All recommended substitutes maintain ROHS3 compliance, matching the original part's regulatory status. Verify compliance requirements for your specific application and market.

Q: What is Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL), and does it affect substitution?

A: MSL indicates the part's sensitivity to moisture absorption during storage and handling. MSL 1 (Unlimited) means the part has no moisture sensitivity restrictions and can be stored indefinitely without special precautions. Nichicon parts list MSL as "Not Applicable," indicating equivalent or superior moisture resistance. For general-purpose applications, MSL differences do not affect substitutability.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message