Equivalent & Substitute Parts for BK/C518-3A Glass Cartridge Fuse

Part Overview

The BK/C518-3A is a 3 A 250 V AC fast-blow glass cartridge fuse in 2AG package format (5mm x 15mm axial). Manufactured by Eaton Electronics Division, this component is classified as obsolete. Due to its obsolete status, equivalent substitute parts from active product lines are necessary for ongoing system maintenance and new design implementations. The substitute parts listed maintain electrical and mechanical compatibility while offering improved availability and compliance status.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	3 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Package / Case	2AG, 5mm x 15mm (Axial)
Response Time	Fast Blow
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	100 A
Melting I²t	6.1
DC Cold Resistance	0.038 Ohms
Approval Agencies	CSA, UL
Size / Dimension	0.217" Dia x 0.598" L (5.50mm x 15.20mm)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the BK/C518-3A is determined by strict equivalence across the following parameters:

Primary Equivalence Criteria:

Current Rating: 3 A (exact match required)
Voltage Rating (AC): 250 V (exact match required)
Package / Case: 2AG, 5mm x 15mm (Axial) (exact match required)
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (exact match required)
Response Time: Fast Blow (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (exact match required)

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category 1: Direct Eaton Equivalents (Active Status)

BK/C518-3-R and BK/C518S-3-R are direct Eaton replacements with identical electrical specifications and 2AG package format. These parts maintain the original design lineage while offering active product status and improved compliance.

Category 2: Littelfuse Cross-Equivalents (Active Status)

0224003.DRT1P, 0224003.HXP, 0224003.VXP, 0224003.DRT2P, 0224003.DRT3P, and 0224003.MXP are Littelfuse Series 224 fuses meeting all primary equivalence criteria. These parts provide identical current, voltage, and package specifications with enhanced DC voltage rating (125 V DC) and extended operating temperature range (-55°C to 125°C).

All substitute parts maintain the 3 A current rating, 250 V AC voltage rating, 2AG package format, fast-blow response, and through-hole mounting configuration required for direct functional replacement.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Current Rating (A)	Voltage AC (V)	Voltage DC (V)	Package	Response Time	Breaking Capacity (A)	Melting I²t	DC Resistance (Ohms)	Product Status	RoHS Status
BK/C518-3A	Eaton	3	250	—	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100	6.1	0.038	Obsolete	Non-compliant
BK/C518-3-R	Eaton	3	250	—	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100	6.1	0.038	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK/C518S-3-R	Eaton	3	250	—	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100	6.1	0.038	Active	RoHS Compliant
0224003.DRT1P	Littelfuse	3	250	125	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100 AC / 10k DC	4.62	0.0317	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0224003.HXP	Littelfuse	3	250	125	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100 AC / 10k DC	4.62	0.0317	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0224003.VXP	Littelfuse	3	250	125	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100 AC / 10k DC	4.62	0.0317	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0224003.DRT2P	Littelfuse	3	250	125	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100 AC / 10k DC	4.62	0.0317	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0224003.DRT3P	Littelfuse	3	250	125	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100 AC / 10k DC	4.62	0.0317	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0224003.MXP	Littelfuse	3	250	125	2AG, 5x15mm	Fast Blow	100 AC / 10k DC	4.62	0.0317	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For AC-Only Applications (250 V AC):

BK/C518-3-R and BK/C518S-3-R are direct Eaton equivalents maintaining identical electrical characteristics and mechanical form factor. Both parts are active products with current compliance certifications (ROHS3 or RoHS Compliant). Selection between these two Eaton options depends on packaging requirements: BK/C518-3-R is supplied in bulk packaging, while BK/C518S-3-R is also available in bulk format.

For AC/DC Dual-Voltage Applications (250 V AC / 125 V DC):

The Littelfuse Series 224 fuses (0224003.DRT1P, 0224003.HXP, 0224003.VXP, 0224003.DRT2P, 0224003.DRT3P, 0224003.MXP) provide enhanced capability with 125 V DC rating and extended operating temperature range (-55°C to 125°C). These parts are suitable for applications requiring DC voltage protection in addition to AC protection. All Littelfuse options carry ROHS3 compliance and CE, CSA, PSE, UL certifications.

Packaging Considerations:

BK/C518-3-R: Bulk packaging
BK/C518S-3-R: Bulk packaging
0224003.DRT1P: Cut Tape (CT)
0224003.HXP: Bulk
0224003.VXP: Bulk
0224003.DRT2P: Tape & Reel (TR)
0224003.DRT3P: Tape & Reel (TR)
0224003.MXP: Bulk

Compliance Status:

All substitute parts are active products with current regulatory compliance. The BK/C518-3A obsolete status necessitates transition to one of these active alternatives for new procurements and long-term system support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BK/C518-3-R directly replace BK/C518-3A in existing designs?

A: Yes. BK/C518-3-R is a direct Eaton equivalent with identical electrical specifications (3 A, 250 V AC), identical package format (2AG, 5mm x 15mm), and identical response time (fast blow). The primary difference is product status: BK/C518-3-R is active while BK/C518-3A is obsolete.

Q: What is the difference between BK/C518-3-R and BK/C518S-3-R?

A: Both are Eaton Series C518 fuses with identical electrical and mechanical specifications. The primary difference is RoHS compliance designation: BK/C518-3-R carries ROHS3 Compliant status, while BK/C518S-3-R carries RoHS Compliant status. Both are active products suitable for direct replacement of BK/C518-3A.

Q: Can Littelfuse 0224003 series fuses replace the Eaton BK/C518-3A?

A: Yes, for applications requiring 250 V AC protection. All Littelfuse 0224003 series parts (DRT1P, HXP, VXP, DRT2P, DRT3P, MXP) meet the primary equivalence criteria: 3 A current rating, 250 V AC voltage rating, 2AG package format, fast-blow response, and through-hole mounting. The Littelfuse parts provide additional 125 V DC rating and extended temperature range (-55°C to 125°C).

Q: What is the difference between the various Littelfuse 0224003 part numbers?

A: All Littelfuse 0224003 series parts listed (DRT1P, HXP, VXP, DRT2P, DRT3P, MXP) have identical electrical specifications and mechanical dimensions. The differences are in packaging format: DRT1P is Cut Tape (CT), HXP and VXP and MXP are Bulk, while DRT2P and DRT3P are Tape & Reel (TR). Selection depends on procurement and assembly requirements.

Q: Are all substitute parts UL and CSA certified?

A: Yes. All Eaton substitute parts (BK/C518-3-R, BK/C518S-3-R) carry CSA and UL approvals. All Littelfuse substitute parts (0224003 series) carry CE, CSA, PSE, and UL approvals, providing broader international certification coverage.

Q: What is the melting I²t difference between Eaton and Littelfuse parts?

A: Eaton BK/C518 series parts have melting I²t of 6.1, while Littelfuse 0224003 series parts have melting I²t of 4.62. Both values fall within the fast-blow fuse category and maintain the same 3 A current rating and 250 V AC voltage rating. The difference reflects different thermal characteristics within the fast-blow classification.

Q: Can I use Littelfuse 0224003 parts in applications that only require 250 V AC protection?

A: Yes. Littelfuse 0224003 series fuses are rated for 250 V AC and 125 V DC. In AC-only applications requiring 250 V AC protection, these parts function identically to the Eaton equivalents. The additional DC rating does not affect AC-only operation.

Q: What is the difference in DC cold resistance between Eaton and Littelfuse parts?

A: Eaton BK/C518 series parts have DC cold resistance of 0.038 Ohms, while Littelfuse 0224003 series parts have DC cold resistance of 0.0317 Ohms. Both values are within acceptable ranges for 3 A cartridge fuses and do not affect functional compatibility in standard circuit protection applications.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. BK/C518-3-R carries ROHS3 Compliant status, BK/C518S-3-R carries RoHS Compliant status, and all Littelfuse 0224003 series parts carry ROHS3 Compliant status. The original BK/C518-3A is RoHS non-compliant, making transition to compliant alternatives necessary for new designs and regulatory compliance.

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