Equivalent & Substitute Parts for BK/GMD-1.6A Glass Cartridge Fuse

Part Overview

The BK/GMD-1.6A is a 1.6 A, 250 V AC/DC glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division, designed for 5mm x 20mm holder applications. This part carries an obsolete product status. Equivalent and substitute parts are necessary to maintain circuit protection functionality in applications where the original BK/GMD-1.6A is no longer available or where active product alternatives offer improved compliance and availability.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	1.6 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Response Time	Slow Blow
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
Size / Dimension	0.205" Dia x 0.787" L (5.20mm x 20.00mm)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the BK/GMD-1.6A is determined by strict equivalence in the following parameters:

Critical Substitution Parameters:

Current Rating: 1.6 A (exact match required)
Voltage Rating: 250 V AC (exact match required)
Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm (exact match required)
Response Time: Slow Blow (exact match required)
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Requires Holder (exact match required)

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on electrical performance characteristics:

Category A - High Breaking Capacity (100A @ Rated Voltage):

BK/GMD-1.6-R (Eaton)
BK1/GMD-1.6-R (Eaton)
GMD-1.6-R (Eaton)
023901.6HXP (Littelfuse)
023901.6MXBP (Littelfuse)
023901.6MXP (Littelfuse)

Category B - Standard Breaking Capacity (35A @ Rated Voltage):

BK/GDC-1.6A (Eaton)
BK/S506-1.6-R (Eaton)
GDC-1.6A (Eaton)
S506-1.6-R (Eaton)

All listed substitutes maintain identical current rating, voltage rating, package dimensions, response time, and fuse type as the original BK/GMD-1.6A.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Current Rating (A)	Voltage Rating (V AC)	Response Time	Package	Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage (A)	Melting I²t	DC Cold Resistance (Ohms)	Product Status	RoHS Status
BK/GMD-1.6A	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	100	27	—	Obsolete	Non-compliant
BK/GMD-1.6-R	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	100	27	0.124	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK1/GMD-1.6-R	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	100	27	0.124	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
GMD-1.6-R	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	100	27	0.124	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK/GDC-1.6A	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	35	21.7	0.0425	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
GDC-1.6A	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	35	21.7	0.0425	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK/S506-1.6-R	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	35	21.7	0.0425	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
S506-1.6-R	Eaton	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	35	21.7	0.0425	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
023901.6HXP	Littelfuse	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	100	30.43	0.1205	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
023901.6MXBP	Littelfuse	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	100	30.43	0.1205	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
023901.6MXP	Littelfuse	1.6	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	100	30.43	0.1205	Active	Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Replacement (Highest Compatibility):

Select BK/GMD-1.6-R, BK1/GMD-1.6-R, or GMD-1.6-R from Eaton when the original BK/GMD-1.6A is required. These parts maintain identical electrical characteristics (100A breaking capacity, 27 melting I²t) and are active products with ROHS3 compliance. All three variants are functionally equivalent and carry CSA, PSE/JET, and UL approvals.

For Alternative Manufacturer Selection:

Littelfuse 023901.6HXP, 023901.6MXBP, or 023901.6MXP provide equivalent performance with 100A breaking capacity. These parts support extended operating temperature range (-55°C to 125°C) and carry CE, CSA, KC, PSE, and UL approvals. Melting I²t is 30.43, slightly higher than Eaton GMD series (27).

For Lower Breaking Capacity Applications:

BK/GDC-1.6A, GDC-1.6A, BK/S506-1.6-R, or S506-1.6-R are suitable where 35A breaking capacity is acceptable. These parts feature lower melting I²t (21.7) and reduced DC cold resistance (0.0425 Ohms). The S506 series offers the broadest approval agency coverage (BSI, CCC, CSA, CURUS, IMQ, PSE/JET, SEMKO, VDE).

Compliance Considerations:

The original BK/GMD-1.6A is RoHS non-compliant. All active substitute parts listed are ROHS3 compliant, supporting modern regulatory requirements. REACH status is unaffected for all Eaton and Littelfuse alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BK/GMD-1.6-R be used as a direct replacement for BK/GMD-1.6A?

A: Yes. BK/GMD-1.6-R is a direct substitute with identical electrical specifications (1.6 A, 250 V AC, 100A breaking capacity, 5x20mm package, slow blow response). The primary difference is product status: BK/GMD-1.6A is obsolete while BK/GMD-1.6-R is active with ROHS3 compliance.

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

A: Breaking capacity defines the maximum fault current the fuse can safely interrupt. The 100A variants (GMD series and Littelfuse 239 series) are rated for higher fault currents. The 35A variants (GDC and S506 series) are suitable for applications with lower available fault currents. Selection depends on the circuit's maximum prospective short-circuit current.

Q: Are Littelfuse 023901.6MXP and Eaton BK/GMD-1.6-R interchangeable?

A: Yes, for the specified electrical parameters. Both maintain 1.6 A current rating, 250 V voltage rating, 5x20mm package, and slow blow response. Littelfuse parts offer extended operating temperature (-55°C to 125°C) and slightly higher melting I²t (30.43 vs. 27). Approval agencies differ: Littelfuse includes CE and KC; Eaton includes PSE/JET.

Q: Does the fuse holder type affect substitute selection?

A: No. All listed substitutes require a 5x20mm holder, identical to the original BK/GMD-1.6A. Holder compatibility is determined by package dimensions, which are standardized across all substitutes.

Q: What does "Slow Blow" response time mean?

A: Slow blow fuses tolerate temporary current surges and open only under sustained overcurrent conditions. All substitutes listed maintain this characteristic, ensuring compatibility with circuits designed for slow blow protection.

Q: Can I use a higher current rating fuse as a substitute?

A: No. Current rating must be exactly 1.6 A. Using a higher rating fuse eliminates circuit protection and creates safety hazards. Substitution is limited to parts with identical current ratings.

Q: What is the significance of DC Cold Resistance values?

A: DC cold resistance affects voltage drop across the fuse during normal operation. Eaton GMD variants show 0.124 Ohms; GDC and S506 variants show 0.0425 Ohms; Littelfuse 239 variants show 0.1205 Ohms. Lower resistance reduces heat generation. Selection depends on circuit sensitivity to voltage drop.

Q: Are all listed substitutes RoHS compliant?

A: All active substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant. The original BK/GMD-1.6A is RoHS non-compliant. This compliance difference supports modern procurement and environmental regulations.

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