3SB 5 Glass Cartridge Fuse Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The 3SB 5 is a 5 A, 250 V AC/DC glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Bel Fuse Inc. in the 3SB series. This component is classified as obsolete, though 720 pieces remain in stock as new original inventory. The fuse is designed for use with 3AB and 3AG holders and features slow-blow response characteristics suitable for circuits requiring transient current tolerance. Due to its obsolete status, equivalent and substitute parts from active manufacturers are necessary for ongoing system support and new designs.

Substiute Parts

3SB 5

Bel Fuse Inc.In Stock: 8223SB 5 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

3SB 5-R

Bel Fuse Inc.In Stock: 9733SB 5-R Datasheet

DirectRFQ

0313005.HXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 51250313005.HXP Datasheet

DirectRFQ

0313005.MXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 22300313005.MXP Datasheet

DirectRFQ

0313005.VXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 12170313005.VXP Datasheet

DirectRFQ

0313005.HXIDP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 8380313005.HXIDP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

0313005.VXIDP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 7740313005.VXIDP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

TSA-5A

OptiFuseIn Stock: 2364TSA-5A Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the 3SB 5 is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

• Current Rating: 5 A (exact match required)
• Voltage Rating: 250 V AC (exact match required)
• Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (exact match required)
• Response Time: Slow Blow (exact match required)
• Package / Case: 3AB, 3AG, 1/4" x 1-1/4" (exact match required)
• Breaking Capacity: 200 A (exact match required)
• Operating Temperature: -55°C ~ 125°C (exact match required)

All substitute parts listed below meet these electrical and mechanical requirements. Substitutes are grouped by manufacturer and product status. The 3SB 5-R represents the direct active-status equivalent from the original manufacturer. Littelfuse 313 series parts (0313005.HXP, 0313005.MXP, 0313005.VXP, 0313005.HXIDP, 0313005.VXIDP) provide cross-manufacturer equivalence. The OptiFuse TSA-5A provides parametric equivalence with alternative internal characteristics.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For applications requiring the 3SB 5, the following selection criteria apply:

Primary Recommendation: The 3SB 5-R from Bel Fuse Inc. is the direct active-status replacement. It maintains identical electrical and mechanical specifications while offering ROHS3 compliance and active product status with 900 pieces in stock.

Cross-Manufacturer Alternatives: The Littelfuse 313 series (0313005.HXP, 0313005.MXP, 0313005.VXP, 0313005.HXIDP, 0313005.VXIDP) provides full electrical and mechanical equivalence. All variants are ROHS3 compliant and active. Littelfuse parts feature slightly lower DC cold resistance (0.0214 Ohms vs. 0.03 Ohms) and marginally shorter physical length (31.75mm vs. 31.80mm), both within acceptable tolerance for standard 3AB/3AG holder applications. Littelfuse variants carry expanded approval certifications including K-MARK and KC.

Alternative Manufacturer Option: The OptiFuse TSA-5A meets all electrical and mechanical parameters with active product status and ROHS3 compliance. This option provides design flexibility for applications where multi-source qualification is required.

Compliance Consideration: All substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant, addressing the non-compliance status of the original 3SB 5. All alternatives carry UL and CSA certifications matching or exceeding the original part's approval agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 3SB 5-R be used as a direct replacement for the 3SB 5?

A: Yes. The 3SB 5-R is electrically and mechanically identical to the 3SB 5 across all critical parameters: 5 A current rating, 250 V AC voltage rating, slow-blow response, 3AB/3AG package compatibility, and 200 A breaking capacity. The primary difference is product status (active vs. obsolete) and RoHS compliance (ROHS3 vs. non-compliant).

Q: Are Littelfuse 313 series parts compatible with 3AB and 3AG holders?

A: Yes. All Littelfuse 0313005 variants are specified for 3AB and 3AG holders with the same 1/4" x 1-1/4" package designation. Physical dimensions are 0.250" diameter x 1.250" length, compared to 0.250" diameter x 1.252" length for the 3SB 5. This 0.002" length difference is within standard holder tolerance and does not affect mechanical fit or electrical performance.

Q: What is the significance of the different Littelfuse part number suffixes (HXP, MXP, VXP, HXIDP, VXIDP)?

A: These suffixes denote internal construction and melting I²t characteristics. All variants maintain identical electrical ratings (5 A, 250 V, slow-blow) and mechanical compatibility. Selection among these variants depends on specific circuit requirements for melting I²t performance, which is not a substitution criterion for the 3SB 5 equivalence.

Q: Does the lower DC cold resistance of Littelfuse parts (0.0214 Ohms vs. 0.03 Ohms) affect compatibility?

A: No. Lower DC cold resistance is a favorable characteristic that reduces resistive heating in the fuse element. This difference does not compromise compatibility and may improve thermal performance in applications with sustained current near the 5 A rating.

Q: Can the OptiFuse TSA-5A be used interchangeably with Bel Fuse or Littelfuse equivalents?

A: Yes. The TSA-5A meets all electrical and mechanical specifications for 3AB/3AG holder compatibility. It is suitable for applications where multi-source qualification or alternative manufacturer sourcing is required. The TSA-5A carries UL 248 and cULus certifications.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. All substitute parts listed (3SB 5-R, Littelfuse 313 series, and TSA-5A) are ROHS3 compliant, addressing the non-compliance status of the original 3SB 5 obsolete part.