Equivalent & Substitute Parts for BK/GMA-2A Glass Cartridge Fuse

Part Overview

The BK/GMA-2A is a 2 A, 250 V AC/DC glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division, designed for 5mm x 20mm holder applications. This component is classified as obsolete product status. Due to its obsolete designation, equivalent and substitute parts from active product lines are necessary to maintain circuit protection functionality in applications requiring 2 A fast-blow fuse cartridges with 250 V rating and 5mm x 20mm form factor.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	2 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Response Time	Fast Blow
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
Size / Dimension	0.205" Dia x 0.787" L (5.20mm x 20.00mm)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the BK/GMA-2A is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Mandatory Matching Parameters:

Current Rating: 2 A
Voltage Rating (AC): 250 V
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass
Response Time: Fast Blow
Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm
Mounting Type: Requires Holder

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category 1: Direct Manufacturer Equivalents (Eaton - Electronics Division) Parts BK/GMA-2-R and GMA-2-R are direct equivalents from the same manufacturer and series, with identical electrical and mechanical specifications. These parts maintain the same breaking capacity (100A) and melting I²t (3.1) as the original BK/GMA-2A.

Category 2: Parametric Equivalents (Eaton - Electronics Division) Parts BK/GDB-2A, BK/S500-2-R, BK1/S500-2-R, GDB-2A, and S500-2-R meet all mandatory matching parameters but differ in breaking capacity (35A) and melting I²t (4.2). These parts are functionally equivalent for circuit protection at the specified current and voltage ratings.

Category 3: Cross-Manufacturer Equivalents Parts 0034.3877 (SCHURTER Inc.), 0235002.MXP, and 0235002.VXP (Littelfuse Inc.) meet all mandatory matching parameters with breaking capacity of 100A and melting I²t values of 2.93 and 2.645 respectively.

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Series	Current Rating (A)	Voltage Rating (V AC)	Response Time	Package / Case	Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage (A)	Melting I²t	Product Status	RoHS Status
BK/GMA-2A	Eaton - Electronics Division	GMA	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	100	3.1	Obsolete	RoHS non-compliant
BK/GMA-2-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	GMA	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	100	3.1	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
GMA-2-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	GMA	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	100	3.1	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK/GDB-2A	Eaton - Electronics Division	GDB	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	4.2	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK/S500-2-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	4.2	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK1/S500-2-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	4.2	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
GDB-2A	Eaton - Electronics Division	GDB	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	4.2	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
S500-2-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	4.2	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0034.3877	SCHURTER Inc.	FSK 5x20	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	100	2.93	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0235002.MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	235	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	100	2.645	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0235002.VXP	Littelfuse Inc.	235	2	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	100	2.645	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation: BK/GMA-2-R or GMA-2-R

The BK/GMA-2-R and GMA-2-R parts are direct equivalents from Eaton - Electronics Division with identical electrical characteristics (100A breaking capacity, 3.1 melting I²t) to the obsolete BK/GMA-2A. Both parts are active product status and ROHS3 compliant. Selection between these two variants depends on packaging requirements (BK/GMA-2-R supplied in bulk packaging).

Secondary Recommendation: 0235002.MXP or 0235002.VXP (Littelfuse Inc.)

These Littelfuse 235 series parts provide parametric equivalence with 100A breaking capacity and melting I²t of 2.645. Both are ROHS3 compliant and active product status. The 0235002.MXP variant carries CE, CSA, KC, PSE, and UL certifications. The 0235002.VXP variant carries CE, CSA, K-MARK, PSE, and UL certifications. Operating temperature range extends to -55°C ~ 125°C.

Tertiary Recommendation: 0034.3877 (SCHURTER Inc.)

The SCHURTER FSK 5x20 series part 0034.3877 provides parametric equivalence with 100A breaking capacity and melting I²t of 2.93. This part is ROHS3 compliant and active product status with cULus certification. Operating temperature range is -40°C ~ 85°C.

Alternative Recommendation: BK/GDB-2A, BK/S500-2-R, BK1/S500-2-R, GDB-2A, or S500-2-R (Eaton - Electronics Division)

These parts meet all mandatory electrical and mechanical parameters but feature reduced breaking capacity (35A) and increased melting I²t (4.2) compared to the original BK/GMA-2A. These alternatives are suitable for applications where the lower breaking capacity is acceptable. All are ROHS3 compliant and active product status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BK/GMA-2-R be used as a direct replacement for BK/GMA-2A?

A: Yes. BK/GMA-2-R is a direct equivalent from the same manufacturer and series with identical current rating (2 A), voltage rating (250 V AC), response time (fast blow), package (5mm x 20mm), breaking capacity (100A), and melting I²t (3.1). The primary difference is product status (active versus obsolete) and RoHS compliance (ROHS3 compliant versus non-compliant).

Q: What is the difference between parts with 100A breaking capacity and 35A breaking capacity?

A: Breaking capacity defines the maximum fault current the fuse can safely interrupt without rupturing the fuse body. Parts with 100A breaking capacity (BK/GMA-2-R, GMA-2-R, 0034.3877, 0235002.MXP, 0235002.VXP) are rated for higher fault currents than parts with 35A breaking capacity (BK/GDB-2A, BK/S500-2-R, BK1/S500-2-R, GDB-2A, S500-2-R). Selection depends on the maximum fault current expected in the application circuit.

Q: What does melting I²t indicate?

A: Melting I²t is a thermal characteristic that indicates the energy required to melt the fuse element. Lower melting I²t values result in faster response to overcurrent conditions. The original BK/GMA-2A has melting I²t of 3.1. Littelfuse 235 series parts (0235002.MXP, 0235002.VXP) have melting I²t of 2.645, indicating slightly faster response. SCHURTER FSK 5x20 (0034.3877) has melting I²t of 2.93. Eaton GDB and S500 series alternatives have melting I²t of 4.2, indicating slower response.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: All active substitute parts listed are ROHS3 compliant. The original BK/GMA-2A is RoHS non-compliant. If RoHS compliance is a requirement, any of the listed substitute parts satisfy this criterion.

Q: What are the approval agency differences between substitute parts?

A: Approval agencies vary by manufacturer and series. BK/GMA-2-R carries CSA, PSE, and UL certifications. Littelfuse 235 series parts carry CE, CSA, PSE, and UL certifications (with KC or K-MARK variants). SCHURTER FSK 5x20 carries cULus certification. Eaton GDB and S500 series parts carry certifications including BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, and VDE. Application requirements determine which certifications are necessary.

Q: Can substitute parts be used interchangeably in the same holder?

A: Yes. All substitute parts maintain the identical 5mm x 20mm form factor and require the same holder type. Physical installation is interchangeable. Electrical performance differences relate to breaking capacity and melting I²t characteristics, not physical compatibility.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for substitute parts?

A: The original BK/GMA-2A does not specify operating temperature. Littelfuse 235 series parts (0235002.MXP, 0235002.VXP) operate from -55°C to 125°C. SCHURTER FSK 5x20 (0034.3877) operates from -40°C to 85°C. Eaton parts do not specify operating temperature in the provided data. Application temperature requirements should be verified against specific substitute part specifications.

Q: Which substitute part has the lowest DC cold resistance?

A: Littelfuse 235 series parts (0235002.MXP, 0235002.VXP) have DC cold resistance of 0.0603 Ohms. Eaton GMA series parts (BK/GMA-2A, BK/GMA-2-R, GMA-2-R) have DC cold resistance of 0.066 Ohms. Eaton GDB and S500 series parts have DC cold resistance of 0.043 Ohms. SCHURTER FSK 5x20 (0034.3877) does not specify DC cold resistance in the provided data.

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