GDB-250MA Equivalent & Substitute Parts Reference

Part Overview

The GDB-250MA is a 250 mA, 250 V AC/DC fast-blow glass fuse cartridge manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division. This component operates in the 5mm x 20mm form factor and requires a compatible fuse holder for installation. The part maintains active product status with 786 units in current inventory. Equivalent and substitute parts are identified based on matching electrical ratings, mechanical dimensions, response characteristics, and approval certifications to ensure direct functional interchangeability in circuit protection applications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	250 mA
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Response Time	Fast Blow
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	35A
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
Melting I²t	0.28
DC Cold Resistance	4.3 Ohms

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the GDB-250MA are qualified based on the following mandatory parameters:

Electrical Equivalence Criteria:

Current Rating: 250 mA (exact match required)
Voltage Rating (AC): 250 V (exact match required)
Response Time: Fast Blow (exact match required)

Mechanical Equivalence Criteria:

Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Requires Holder (exact match required)

Performance Criteria:

Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage: 35A (exact match required)
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (exact match required)

All substitute parts listed meet these criteria and are manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division, SCHURTER Inc., Littelfuse Inc., or OptiFuse. Substitutes maintain the same functional performance characteristics and physical form factor, enabling direct replacement in existing circuit protection designs.

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Series	Current Rating (Amps)	Voltage Rating (AC)	Response Time	Package / Case	Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	Melting I²t	DC Cold Resistance (Ohms)	Inventory (Pcs)
GDB-250MA	Eaton - Electronics Division	GDB	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.28	4.3	786
BK/S500-250-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.28	4.3	1150
BK1/S500-250-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.28	4.3	782
S500-250-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.28	4.3	805
0034.1510	SCHURTER Inc.	FSF 5x20	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.0159	Not Specified	1296
0217.250HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.04	1.2325	2215
0217.250MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.04	1.2325	1963
0217.250TXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.04	1.2325	1113
0235.250HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	235	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.0166	2.25	1314
0235.250MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	235	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35A	0.0166	2.25	1196
FSC-250MA	OptiFuse	FSC	0.250	250 V	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	100A	Not Specified	0.03371	4265

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Eaton - Electronics Division Substitutes (BK/S500-250-R, BK1/S500-250-R, S500-250-R): These parts maintain identical electrical and mechanical specifications to the GDB-250MA. All three variants are manufactured by the same supplier and carry active product status. The S500 series provides expanded approval certifications including BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, and VDE. These substitutes are suitable for applications requiring equivalent performance with enhanced regulatory compliance documentation.

SCHURTER Inc. Substitute (0034.1510): The SCHURTER FSF 5x20 series part 0034.1510 meets all mandatory electrical and mechanical parameters. This substitute carries CCC, cURus, and VDE approvals with an operating temperature range of -55°C to 125°C. The melting I²t value of 0.0159 differs from the GDB-250MA specification of 0.28, indicating faster thermal response characteristics within the fast-blow classification.

Littelfuse Inc. Substitutes (0217.250HXP, 0217.250MXP, 0217.250TXP, 0235.250HXP, 0235.250MXP): The Littelfuse 217 and 235 series parts satisfy all mandatory electrical and mechanical requirements. These substitutes operate across -55°C to 125°C temperature ranges and carry comprehensive approvals including CE, CSA, KC, SEMKO, and UL certifications. The 217 series variants feature DC cold resistance of 1.2325 Ohms with melting I²t of 0.04. The 235 series variants feature DC cold resistance of 2.25 Ohms with melting I²t of 0.0166. All Littelfuse substitutes are ROHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected.

OptiFuse Substitute (FSC-250MA): The OptiFuse FSC-250MA meets all mandatory electrical and mechanical parameters with a higher breaking capacity of 100A at rated voltage compared to the 35A specification of the GDB-250MA. This substitute carries cULus and UL 248 approvals with an operating temperature range of -55°C to 90°C. The FSC series provides the highest inventory availability at 4265 units.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What parameters must match exactly for a part to substitute the GDB-250MA?

A: The following parameters must match exactly: current rating (250 mA), voltage rating AC (250 V), response time (fast blow), package/case (5mm x 20mm), breaking capacity at rated voltage (35A), fuse type (cartridge, glass), and mounting type (requires holder). All listed substitute parts meet these criteria.

Q: Can I use the FSC-250MA from OptiFuse as a direct replacement?

A: The FSC-250MA meets all mandatory electrical and mechanical parameters for substitution. However, it features a breaking capacity of 100A at rated voltage, which exceeds the GDB-250MA specification of 35A. This higher breaking capacity does not prevent substitution but represents a design difference in fault current handling capability.

Q: What is the difference between the Littelfuse 217 and 235 series substitutes?

A: Both series meet all mandatory electrical and mechanical requirements. The primary differences are in DC cold resistance (217 series: 1.2325 Ohms; 235 series: 2.25 Ohms) and melting I²t values (217 series: 0.04; 235 series: 0.0166). These variations reflect different thermal response characteristics within the fast-blow classification.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: The Eaton S500 series, SCHURTER FSF 5x20, Littelfuse 217 and 235 series, and OptiFuse FSC series all carry ROHS3 compliance status. The GDB-250MA product status does not specify ROHS compliance.

Q: Which substitute offers the highest inventory availability?

A: The OptiFuse FSC-250MA provides the highest inventory availability with 4265 units in stock, followed by the Littelfuse 0217.250HXP with 2215 units.

Q: Can I substitute based on approval certifications alone?

A: No. Approval certifications document regulatory compliance but do not determine substitution eligibility. All substitute parts must match the mandatory electrical parameters (current, voltage, response time), mechanical dimensions (5mm x 20mm), and performance specifications (breaking capacity, fuse type) of the GDB-250MA.

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

A: Melting I²t represents the thermal energy required to melt the fuse element. Variations in this parameter among fast-blow classified substitutes indicate different thermal response profiles. The GDB-250MA specifies 0.28, while substitutes range from 0.0159 to 0.04. All values remain within the fast-blow classification envelope.

Q: Are the Eaton S500 series variants (BK/S500-250-R, BK1/S500-250-R, S500-250-R) interchangeable?

A: All three Eaton S500 series variants meet identical electrical and mechanical specifications and carry the same approval certifications. They are functionally interchangeable for the GDB-250MA application.

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