DRAR16P Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The DRAR16P is a hexadecimal rotary DIP switch manufactured by NKK Switches, designed for panel mount applications requiring 16-position selection at 100mA and 5VDC. This component features a rotary shaft actuator with gold-plated copper contacts and sealed construction suitable for washable environments. The product is currently obsolete, making identification of compatible substitute parts essential for ongoing system support and new design implementations.

Substiute Parts

DRAR16P

NKK SwitchesIn Stock: 777DRAR16P Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

FR01AR16PB-S

NKK SwitchesIn Stock: 2286FR01AR16PB-S Datasheet

SimilarRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

The FR01AR16PB-S qualifies as a functional substitute for the DRAR16P based on the following critical parameters that determine electrical and mechanical compatibility:

Matching Parameters:

• Hexadecimal circuit configuration (16 positions)
• 100mA current rating
• 5VDC voltage rating
• Rotary shaft actuator with raised actuator level
• Panel mount configuration
• PC pin termination
• 0.100" (2.54mm) pitch spacing
• 1.104" (28.05mm) height above board
• Gold contact finish
• Operating temperature range overlap (-25°C minimum)
• Unlimited moisture sensitivity level (MSL 1)

Allowable Variations:

• Contact material: Copper Alloy (FR01AR16PB-S) versus Copper (DRAR16P) — both materials provide equivalent electrical performance for this application
• Body material: Polyamide nylon glass-filled versus polybutylene terephthalate glass-filled — both materials meet mechanical requirements
• Mechanical and electrical life: 10,000 steps (FR01AR16PB-S) versus 20,000 steps (DRAR16P) — acceptable for applications not requiring extended cycle life
• Washable feature: Not specified for FR01AR16PB-S versus sealed for DRAR16P — does not affect core electrical function
• Packaging: Tube (FR01AR16PB-S) versus bulk — does not affect component performance

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

The FR01AR16PB-S is the designated substitute for the obsolete DRAR16P. Selection of this substitute is supported by the following factors:

Product Status: The FR01AR16PB-S maintains active production status with 2260 units in stock, ensuring availability for replacement and new applications. The DRAR16P is obsolete with limited remaining inventory.

Regulatory Compliance: The FR01AR16PB-S achieves ROHS3 compliance, meeting current environmental and hazardous substance restrictions. The DRAR16P is non-compliant with modern RoHS standards. Both parts maintain REACH unaffected status and EAR99 export classification.

Electrical and Mechanical Compatibility: The FR01AR16PB-S maintains all critical electrical parameters including 100mA current rating, 5VDC voltage specification, and hexadecimal 16-position configuration. Mechanical compatibility is preserved through identical pitch spacing, height above board, and panel mount termination. The operating temperature range of -25°C to 85°C on the FR01AR16PB-S exceeds the DRAR16P specification, providing enhanced thermal performance.

Life Cycle Considerations: The FR01AR16PB-S specifies 10,000 mechanical and electrical steps compared to 20,000 steps for the DRAR16P. This reduction is acceptable for applications with moderate duty cycles and does not affect static position selection functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the FR01AR16PB-S directly replace the DRAR16P in existing designs?

A: Yes. The FR01AR16PB-S maintains identical electrical ratings (100mA, 5VDC), hexadecimal 16-position configuration, panel mount footprint, and PC pin termination. Physical dimensions including height above board (1.104") and pitch spacing (0.100") are identical, enabling direct PCB compatibility without layout modifications.

Q: What are the differences in contact material between these parts?

A: The DRAR16P uses copper contacts while the FR01AR16PB-S uses copper alloy contacts. Both materials with gold plating provide equivalent electrical conductivity and contact resistance performance for 100mA switching applications at 5VDC.

Q: Does the reduction in mechanical life from 20,000 to 10,000 steps affect performance?

A: The mechanical life specification indicates the number of complete rotation cycles the switch can withstand. For applications where the rotary position is set infrequently or remains static for extended periods, the 10,000-step rating of the FR01AR16PB-S is sufficient. Applications requiring frequent position changes should evaluate actual duty cycle requirements against this specification.

Q: What is the significance of the packaging difference?

A: The DRAR16P is supplied in bulk packaging while the FR01AR16PB-S is supplied in tube packaging. Packaging does not affect electrical or mechanical performance. Tube packaging may provide improved component protection during storage and handling.

Q: Is the FR01AR16PB-S washable like the DRAR16P?

A: The DRAR16P is specified as sealed and washable. The FR01AR16PB-S does not specify washable characteristics. For applications requiring washable switch construction, this difference should be evaluated against specific environmental exposure requirements.

Q: How does the extended operating temperature range of the FR01AR16PB-S affect compatibility?

A: The FR01AR16PB-S operates from -25°C to 85°C compared to -25°C to 75°C for the DRAR16P. The extended upper temperature limit of the FR01AR16PB-S provides additional thermal margin and is fully compatible with applications designed for the DRAR16P temperature range.

Q: What is the inventory status for these parts?

A: The DRAR16P has 732 units in stock but is obsolete with no future production. The FR01AR16PB-S has 2260 units in stock and maintains active production status, ensuring long-term availability.