3AB 500 Ceramic Fuse Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 3AB 500 is a 500 mA ceramic cartridge fuse rated for 250 V AC/DC operation, manufactured by Bel Fuse Inc. This component is classified as obsolete, necessitating identification of active equivalent parts for continued system support and procurement. The fuse requires a dedicated holder (3AB or 3AG type) and is designed for fast-blow response characteristics in circuit protection applications.

Substiute Parts

3AB 500

Bel Fuse Inc.In Stock: 11283AB 500 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

3AB 500-R

Bel Fuse Inc.In Stock: 13903AB 500-R Datasheet

DirectRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the 3AB 500 is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

• Current Rating: 500 mA (exact match required)
• Voltage Rating: 250 V AC (exact match required)
• Fuse Type: Cartridge, Ceramic (exact match required)
• Response Time: Fast Blow (exact match required)
• Package / Case: 3AB, 3AG, 1/4" x 1-1/4" (exact match required)
• Breaking Capacity: 35 A (exact match required)
• Melting I²t: 0.14 (exact match required)

The identified substitute part 3AB 500-R meets all critical electrical and mechanical parameters, differing only in product status (active vs. obsolete) and compliance certifications.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

The 3AB 500-R is the direct active equivalent for the obsolete 3AB 500. Both parts are manufactured by Bel Fuse Inc. and maintain identical electrical and mechanical specifications across all critical parameters. The 3AB 500-R offers the advantage of active product status, ensuring continued availability and supply chain support.

The 3AB 500-R provides enhanced compliance posture with ROHS3 certification, compared to the non-compliant status of the original 3AB 500. Approval certifications differ slightly (cURus vs. PSE/UL), with both meeting CE and CSA standards. The marginal reduction in DC cold resistance (1.19 Ohms vs. 1.28 Ohms) remains within acceptable operational parameters for this component class.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 3AB 500-R be used as a direct replacement for the 3AB 500?

A: Yes. Both parts are electrically and mechanically identical across all critical parameters: 500 mA current rating, 250 V voltage rating, fast-blow response, 35 A breaking capacity, and identical package dimensions (1/4" x 1-1/4"). Both require the same 3AB or 3AG holder.

Q: What is the difference between the 3AB 500 and 3AB 500-R?

A: The primary differences are product status (obsolete vs. active), RoHS compliance (non-compliant vs. ROHS3 compliant), and approval certifications. DC cold resistance differs marginally (1.28 Ohms vs. 1.19 Ohms). All electrical and mechanical performance parameters are identical.

Q: Are there any compatibility concerns when substituting the 3AB 500-R for the 3AB 500?

A: No compatibility concerns exist. The 3AB 500-R maintains the same package specification (3AB, 3AG, 1/4" x 1-1/4"), mounting type (requires holder), and all electrical characteristics. Direct substitution is supported without circuit modification.

Q: Does the 3AB 500-R meet current regulatory requirements?

A: The 3AB 500-R is ROHS3 compliant and holds CE and CSA certifications. It is suitable for applications requiring current regulatory compliance. The original 3AB 500 is RoHS non-compliant and obsolete.

Q: What holder types are compatible with the 3AB 500-R?

A: The 3AB 500-R requires a 3AB or 3AG holder, identical to the original 3AB 500. No holder changes are necessary for substitution.