Equivalent & Substitute Parts for BK/S506-3.15A Glass Cartridge Fuse

Part Overview

The BK/S506-3.15A is a 3.15 A, 250 V AC/DC glass cartridge fuse in 5mm x 20mm package format manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division. This component is classified as obsolete product status. Due to its obsolescence, identifying equivalent and substitute parts from active product lines is essential for design continuity, procurement reliability, and long-term system support. Equivalent parts maintain identical electrical and mechanical specifications while offering improved availability and compliance status.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	3.15 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Response Time	Slow Blow
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	35 A
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
Size / Dimension	0.205" Dia x 0.787" L (5.20mm x 20.00mm)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the BK/S506-3.15A are grouped based on strict parametric equivalence. All substitute candidates must satisfy the following mandatory criteria:

Critical Matching Parameters:

Current Rating: 3.15 A (exact match required)
Voltage Rating (AC): 250 V (exact match required)
Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm (exact match required)
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (exact match required)
Response Time: Slow Blow (exact match required)
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage: 35 A (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Requires Holder (exact match required)

Substitute parts are classified into two categories:

Direct Manufacturer Equivalents (Eaton - Electronics Division): Parts from the same manufacturer with identical electrical specifications and active product status. These include BK/S506-3.15-R, BK1/S506-3.15-R, BK1/S506B-3.15R, BK/GDC-3.15A, GDC-3.15A, and S506-3.15-R.

Parametric Equivalents (Alternative Manufacturers): Parts from SCHURTER Inc. that meet all critical electrical and mechanical parameters, including 0034.3122, 0034.5048, 0034.5622.11, and 0034.5718.11.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Current Rating (A)	Voltage (V AC)	Package	Response Time	Breaking Capacity (A)	Product Status	RoHS Status
BK/S506-3.15A	Eaton	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Obsolete	Non-compliant
BK/S506-3.15-R	Eaton	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK1/S506-3.15-R	Eaton	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK1/S506B-3.15R	Eaton	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BK/GDC-3.15A	Eaton	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
GDC-3.15A	Eaton	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
S506-3.15-R	Eaton	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0034.3122	SCHURTER	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0034.5048	SCHURTER	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0034.5622.11	SCHURTER	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
0034.5718.11	SCHURTER	3.15	250	5x20mm	Slow Blow	35	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation - Eaton Direct Equivalents:

For applications requiring continuity with the original Eaton product line, BK/S506-3.15-R, BK1/S506-3.15-R, or S506-3.15-R are preferred direct substitutes. All three parts maintain identical electrical specifications and are manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division. These parts carry active product status and ROHS3 compliance, addressing the obsolescence and regulatory limitations of the original BK/S506-3.15A. Approval agencies include BSI, CCC, CSA, cURus, IMQ, PSE/JET, SEMKO, and VDE.

Secondary Recommendation - Eaton GDC Series:

BK/GDC-3.15A and GDC-3.15A represent alternative Eaton series options with identical electrical parameters. These parts are active products with ROHS3 compliance. Approval agencies include cULus, IMQ, and MITI/JET. These options are suitable when GDC series integration aligns with system architecture.

Alternative Manufacturer Option - SCHURTER:

SCHURTER Inc. offers four parametric equivalents: 0034.3122 (FST 5x20 series), 0034.5048 (FTT 5x20 series), 0034.5622.11 (SMD-FST series), and 0034.5718.11 (SMD-FTT series). All maintain the required 3.15 A, 250 V AC/DC, 5x20mm specifications with 35 A breaking capacity. All are active products with ROHS3 compliance. SCHURTER parts carry approval from cURus, VDE, PSE/JET, and CCC. Operating temperature ranges vary: 0034.3122 and 0034.5622.11 operate -55°C to 125°C; 0034.5048 operates -40°C to 85°C; 0034.5718.11 operates -55°C to 125°C. Selection among SCHURTER options depends on thermal environment requirements and melting I²t characteristics.

Compliance Considerations:

All recommended substitutes are ROHS3 compliant, addressing the non-compliance status of the obsolete BK/S506-3.15A. Regulatory approvals vary by part; verify that selected substitute carries required certifications for target application jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BK/S506-3.15A be directly replaced with BK/S506-3.15-R?

A: Yes. BK/S506-3.15-R is a direct equivalent from Eaton - Electronics Division with identical electrical specifications (3.15 A, 250 V AC/DC, 5x20mm, Slow Blow, 35 A breaking capacity). The primary difference is product status: BK/S506-3.15-R is active and ROHS3 compliant, whereas BK/S506-3.15A is obsolete and non-compliant. Both require the same holder and are mechanically and electrically interchangeable.

Q: What is the difference between Eaton and SCHURTER substitute options?

A: Eaton substitutes (BK/S506-3.15-R, BK1/S506-3.15-R, S506-3.15-R, BK/GDC-3.15A, GDC-3.15A) maintain the original manufacturer relationship and series continuity. SCHURTER substitutes (0034.3122, 0034.5048, 0034.5622.11, 0034.5718.11) are from an alternative manufacturer but meet all critical electrical and mechanical parameters. Selection depends on procurement strategy, supply chain preference, and regulatory approval requirements for the target application.

Q: Are all substitute parts mechanically compatible with existing fuse holders?

A: Yes. All substitute parts maintain the 5mm x 20mm package format (0.205" Dia x 0.787" L) and require holder mounting, identical to the original BK/S506-3.15A. No mechanical redesign or holder replacement is necessary for component substitution.

Q: What is the significance of melting I²t values in the parameter comparison?

A: Melting I²t indicates the thermal energy required to melt the fuse element. The original BK/S506-3.15A has a melting I²t of 51. Eaton active substitutes (BK/S506-3.15-R, BK1/S506-3.15-R, etc.) have melting I²t of 96.4. SCHURTER 0034.3122 and 0034.5622.11 have melting I²t of 47; 0034.5048 and 0034.5718.11 have melting I²t of 395. While these values differ, all parts maintain the same 3.15 A current rating and 35 A breaking capacity. Melting I²t differences reflect design variations between manufacturers but do not affect basic substitution compatibility for applications requiring 3.15 A protection at 250 V AC/DC.

Q: Which substitute offers the widest operating temperature range?

A: SCHURTER parts 0034.3122, 0034.5622.11, and 0034.5718.11 operate across -55°C to 125°C. Eaton parts do not specify operating temperature limits in the provided data. SCHURTER 0034.5048 operates -40°C to 85°C. For applications requiring extended temperature operation, SCHURTER options with -55°C to 125°C range are preferred.

Q: Are all substitutes RoHS compliant?

A: Yes. All recommended substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant. The original BK/S506-3.15A is RoHS non-compliant. Substitution addresses both obsolescence and regulatory compliance requirements for modern procurement and environmental standards.

Q: What approval agencies are common across all substitutes?

A: cURus (or cULus) and VDE approvals appear across multiple substitutes. However, approval agency coverage varies by part. Eaton substitutes carry broader approval portfolios (BSI, CCC, CSA, cURus, IMQ, PSE/JET, SEMKO, VDE). SCHURTER parts carry cURus, VDE, PSE/JET, and CCC. Verify that the selected substitute carries all required certifications for the target application jurisdiction before final selection.

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