Bel Fuse Inc. 5ET 4 Glass Cartridge Fuse - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Bel Fuse Inc. 5ET 4 is a 4 A, 250 V AC/DC slow-blow glass cartridge fuse in 5mm x 20mm form factor, designed for circuit protection in industrial and commercial applications. This part is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing system maintenance and new designs. The fuse requires a compatible holder for installation and operates across a temperature range of -55°C to 125°C.

Substiute Parts

5ET 4

Bel Fuse Inc.In Stock: 11875ET 4 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

5ET 4-R

Bel Fuse Inc.In Stock: 41085ET 4-R Datasheet

DirectRFQ

5ST 4-R

Bel Fuse Inc.In Stock: 311325ST 4-R Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0213004.MXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 56030213004.MXP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

0213004.TXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 8620213004.TXP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

0218004.HXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 53680218004.HXP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

0218004.MXBP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 7540218004.MXBP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

0218004.MXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 224390218004.MXP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

0218004.TXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 10890218004.TXP Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

GDC-4A

Eaton - Electronics DivisionIn Stock: 1129GDC-4A Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution for the 5ET 4 is determined by strict equivalence in the following parameters:

• Current Rating: 4 A (mandatory match)
• Voltage Rating: 250 V AC (mandatory match)
• Response Time: Slow Blow (mandatory match)
• Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm (mandatory match)
• Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (mandatory match)
• Mounting Type: Requires Holder (mandatory match)

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Direct Manufacturer Equivalent: 5ET 4-R (Bel Fuse Inc.) - identical series with active product status and improved RoHS3 compliance.

Parametric Equivalents: 5ST 4-R (Bel Fuse Inc.) and cross-manufacturer alternatives from Littelfuse Inc. (0213004.MXP, 0213004.TXP, 0218004.HXP, 0218004.MXBP, 0218004.MXP, 0218004.TXP) and Eaton Electronics (GDC-4A) - all matching the seven mandatory parameters above. These parts differ in breaking capacity and melting I²t characteristics but maintain functional equivalence for standard circuit protection applications.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation: 5ET 4-R (Bel Fuse Inc.) is the direct equivalent with active product status, identical electrical characteristics, and RoHS3 compliance. This part maintains the same breaking capacity (150 A) and melting I²t (300) as the original 5ET 4, ensuring no circuit behavior changes.

Secondary Recommendations: Littelfuse 0218004.MXP, 0218004.HXP, 0218004.TXP, and 0218004.MXBP are functionally equivalent alternatives with active status and RoHS3 compliance. These parts feature reduced breaking capacity (40 A) and lower melting I²t values, suitable for standard circuit protection where the original 150 A breaking capacity is not a design requirement.

Alternative Consideration: Littelfuse 0213004.MXP and 0213004.TXP offer parametric equivalence with higher melting I²t (226.505) compared to the 0218004 series, providing different thermal response characteristics while maintaining the same current and voltage ratings.

Cross-Manufacturer Option: Eaton GDC-4A provides parametric equivalence with active product status. Certification coverage differs from Bel Fuse and Littelfuse alternatives; verify compliance requirements against your application's regulatory standards.

All substitute parts maintain the 5mm x 20mm form factor and slow-blow response time, ensuring mechanical and functional compatibility with existing fuse holders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use 5ET 4-R as a direct replacement for the obsolete 5ET 4?

A: Yes. The 5ET 4-R is the direct equivalent from the same manufacturer with identical electrical specifications (4 A, 250 V, slow-blow, 150 A breaking capacity). The primary difference is active product status and RoHS3 compliance.

Q: What is the difference between the 5ET 4-R and the 5ST 4-R?

A: Both are 4 A, 250 V slow-blow fuses in 5mm x 20mm packages from Bel Fuse Inc. The 5ST 4-R has a lower breaking capacity (40 A vs. 150 A) and significantly lower melting I²t (56 vs. 300). Select based on your circuit's fault current requirements.

Q: Are Littelfuse substitutes compatible with the original fuse holder?

A: Yes. All Littelfuse alternatives (0213004 and 0218004 series) maintain the 5mm x 20mm form factor and cartridge glass type, ensuring mechanical compatibility with standard fuse holders designed for this package.

Q: Why do substitute parts have different breaking capacities?

A: Breaking capacity reflects the maximum fault current the fuse can safely interrupt. The original 5ET 4 (150 A) and its direct equivalent 5ET 4-R have higher breaking capacity than cross-manufacturer alternatives (40 A). Select based on your system's maximum available fault current.

Q: What is melting I²t and why does it vary among substitutes?

A: Melting I²t is a thermal characteristic indicating the energy required to melt the fuse element. Different manufacturers use different fuse element designs, resulting in different I²t values. All listed substitutes maintain the same current rating and response time (slow-blow), ensuring proper circuit protection at 4 A.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS3 compliant?

A: All Littelfuse and Bel Fuse alternatives listed are RoHS3 compliant. The Eaton GDC-4A RoHS status is not specified in available data. Verify compliance requirements for your specific application and regulatory jurisdiction.

Q: Can I mix different substitute parts in the same circuit?

A: All listed substitutes are functionally equivalent for the 4 A, 250 V, slow-blow application. However, maintain consistency within a single circuit or system to ensure uniform protection characteristics.