5SF 500 Glass Cartridge Fuse - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The Bel Fuse Inc. 5SF 500 is a 500 mA, 250 V AC/DC fast-blow glass cartridge fuse in 5mm x 20mm form factor. This part is classified as obsolete but remains in active use across industrial and consumer electronics applications requiring overcurrent protection. Due to its obsolete status, equivalent substitute parts from active product lines are necessary to ensure supply chain continuity and long-term component availability.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	500 mA
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Response Time	Fast Blow
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	35A
Operating Temperature Range	-55°C ~ 125°C

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the 5SF 500 is determined by strict equivalence across the following parameters:

Current Rating: 500 mA (exact match required)
Voltage Rating: 250 V AC (exact match required)
Response Time: Fast Blow (exact match required)
Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm (exact match required)
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Requires Holder (exact match required)
Operating Temperature Range: -55°C ~ 125°C (exact match required)

Parts are grouped into three categories:

Direct Manufacturer Equivalents – Parts from Bel Fuse Inc. with identical electrical and mechanical specifications, differing only in packaging or product status.

Parametric Equivalents – Parts from alternative manufacturers meeting all critical electrical and mechanical parameters, with variations in breaking capacity or melting I²t within acceptable tolerance.

Similar Parts – Parts meeting core electrical specifications but with minor dimensional or performance variations that may require application verification.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Current Rating	Voltage (AC)	Response Time	Package	Breaking Capacity	Melting I²t	Product Status	RoHS Status
5SF 500	Bel Fuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.4	Obsolete	Non-compliant
5SFP 500-R	Bel Fuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm (Axial)	35A	0.4	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
5MF 500-R	Bel Fuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	200A	0.122	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
5SF 500-R	Bel Fuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.4	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0034.1513	SCHURTER Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.151	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0217.500MXBP	Littelfuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.215	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0217.500MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.215	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0217.500TXP	Littelfuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.215	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0217.500HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.215	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
GDB-500MA	Eaton - Electronics Division	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.18	Active	Not specified
S500-500-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	500 mA	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.18	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation: 5SF 500-R (Bel Fuse Inc.)

The 5SF 500-R is the direct active-status equivalent from the original manufacturer. It maintains identical electrical and mechanical specifications to the obsolete 5SF 500, with the addition of ROHS3 compliance. This part carries the broadest certification portfolio (CCC, CE, CSA, cURus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE) and is available in high inventory (2,562 units). Selection of this part eliminates any substitution risk and maintains design continuity.

Secondary Recommendation: 0217.500MXBP, 0217.500MXP, or 0217.500TXP (Littelfuse Inc.)

These Littelfuse 217 series parts meet all electrical and mechanical requirements with ROHS3 compliance. All three variants carry comprehensive certifications (CCC, CE, CSA, SEMKO, UL, VDE) and are actively produced. The 0217.500MXBP variant is available in the highest inventory (991 units). These parts are suitable for new designs and legacy replacements.

Tertiary Recommendation: 0034.1513 (SCHURTER Inc.)

The SCHURTER FSF 5x20 series part meets all core electrical specifications with ROHS3 compliance. Certifications include CCC, cURus, and VDE. This part is available in substantial inventory (6,101 units) and represents a viable alternative for applications where SCHURTER qualification is acceptable.

Alternative Consideration: S500-500-R (Eaton - Electronics Division)

The Eaton S500 series part meets all electrical and mechanical specifications with ROHS3 compliance and broad certifications (BSI, CCC, CSA, cURus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE). Inventory availability is moderate (1,113 units). This part is suitable for applications requiring Eaton component qualification.

Not Recommended for Direct Substitution: 5MF 500-R

While the 5MF 500-R shares the same current rating, voltage, and package, its breaking capacity (200A) and melting I²t (0.122) differ significantly from the original 5SF 500 specification (35A breaking capacity, 0.4 melting I²t). This part is suitable only for applications where higher breaking capacity is required and circuit design has been re-evaluated.

Not Recommended for Direct Substitution: 5SFP 500-R

The 5SFP 500-R is an axial through-hole variant with different mounting requirements (Through Hole vs. Requires Holder). This part is not mechanically compatible with existing 5SF 500 holder installations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use 5SFP 500-R as a direct replacement for 5SF 500?

A: No. The 5SFP 500-R is a through-hole axial variant requiring different mounting hardware. The original 5SF 500 requires a cartridge fuse holder. These are not mechanically interchangeable.

Q: What is the difference between the Littelfuse 0217.500MXBP, 0217.500MXP, and 0217.500TXP variants?

A: All three parts are electrically and mechanically identical, meeting the same 500 mA, 250 V, fast-blow specification in 5mm x 20mm form factor. The designations reflect internal Littelfuse product line classifications. Any of these three parts can be selected based on availability and lead time.

Q: Is the 5MF 500-R a suitable replacement?

A: The 5MF 500-R meets the current and voltage ratings but has a significantly higher breaking capacity (200A vs. 35A) and lower melting I²t (0.122 vs. 0.4). It is not a direct substitute. Use only if your circuit design has been re-evaluated for the higher breaking capacity specification.

Q: Do all substitute parts have RoHS compliance?

A: Most active substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant. The original 5SF 500 is RoHS non-compliant. The GDB-500MA from Eaton does not specify RoHS status in available documentation. Verify RoHS requirements for your application before final selection.

Q: Which substitute part has the best availability?

A: The 5MF 500-R from Bel Fuse Inc. has the highest inventory (36,217 units), but it is not a direct electrical equivalent. Among true electrical equivalents, the 5SF 500-R (2,562 units) and 0034.1513 (6,101 units) offer the best availability.

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

A: Yes, provided all selected parts meet the identical electrical specifications (500 mA, 250 V, fast-blow, 5mm x 20mm). However, for consistency and traceability, it is recommended to standardize on a single part number per design revision.

Q: What certifications should I prioritize?

A: Select parts carrying certifications relevant to your target market. For global applications, prioritize parts with CE, UL/cULus, and CSA markings. For specific regions, verify CCC (China), K-MARK (Korea), or other regional requirements.

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