GDB-2.5A Glass Cartridge Fuse Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The GDB-2.5A is a 2.5 A, 250 V AC/DC fast-blow glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division. This component is classified as Active product status and requires a fuse holder for installation. The 5mm x 20mm form factor is a standard industrial fuse package. Equivalent and substitute parts are identified based on matching electrical ratings, mechanical dimensions, response characteristics, and approval certifications to ensure direct functional replacement in circuit protection applications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	2.5 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Response Time	Fast Blow
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	35 A
Melting I²t	6.1

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the GDB-2.5A are grouped based on strict equivalence of the following critical parameters:

Primary Equivalence Criteria:

Current Rating: 2.5 A (exact match required)
Voltage Rating: 250 V AC (exact match required)
Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm (exact match required)
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass (exact match required)
Response Time: Fast Blow (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Requires Holder (exact match required)

Secondary Consideration Parameters:

Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage
Melting I²t
DC Cold Resistance
Approval Agency certifications
RoHS compliance status

All substitute parts listed meet the primary equivalence criteria. Variations in secondary parameters (Breaking Capacity, Melting I²t, DC Cold Resistance) are noted in the comparison table and do not prevent functional substitution when electrical and mechanical specifications match.

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Series	Current Rating (A)	Voltage Rating (V AC)	Package	Breaking Capacity (A)	Melting I²t	DC Cold Resistance (Ohms)	Approval Agency	RoHS Status
GDB-2.5A	Eaton - Electronics Division	GDB	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	6.1	0.034	VDE, UR	Not specified
BK/GDB-2.5A	Eaton - Electronics Division	GDB	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	6.1	0.034	UL, VDE	RoHS Compliant
BK/S500-2.5-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	6.1	0.034	BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant
BK1/S500-2.5-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	6.1	0.034	BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant
GMA-2.5-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	GMA	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	100	4.9	0.046	CSA, PSE, UL	RoHS Compliant
S500-2.5-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	6.1	0.034	BSI, CCC, CSA, cURus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant
0034.1520	SCHURTER Inc.	FSF 5x20	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	9.19	Not specified	CCC, cURus, PSE/JET, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant
021702.5HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	9.46	0.0334	BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant
021702.5MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	35	9.46	0.0334	BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant
023502.5HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	235	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	100	5.445	0.0437	CE, CSA, KC, PSE, UL	ROHS3 Compliant
023502.5MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	235	2.5	250	5mm x 20mm	100	5.445	0.0437	CE, CSA, KC, PSE, UL	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Eaton GDB Series (BK/GDB-2.5A): Direct equivalent with identical electrical and mechanical specifications. Adds UL certification and RoHS compliance compared to the base GDB-2.5A. Suitable for applications requiring UL approval.

Eaton S500 Series (BK/S500-2.5-R, BK1/S500-2.5-R, S500-2.5-R): Functionally equivalent with expanded international certifications including BSI, CCC, CSA, and SEMKO. ROHS3 compliant. Recommended for global applications requiring multiple regional approvals.

Eaton GMA Series (GMA-2.5-R): Electrically equivalent but with higher breaking capacity (100 A vs. 35 A) and lower melting I²t (4.9 vs. 6.1). Higher DC cold resistance (0.046 Ohms vs. 0.034 Ohms). Suitable for applications requiring enhanced breaking capacity. UL and PSE certified.

SCHURTER FSF 5x20 (0034.1520): Functionally equivalent with higher melting I²t (9.19 vs. 6.1). Operating temperature range specified (-55°C to 125°C). ROHS3 compliant with PSE/JET and VDE certifications. Suitable for temperature-sensitive applications.

Littelfuse 217 Series (021702.5HXP, 021702.5MXP): Functionally equivalent with higher melting I²t (9.46 vs. 6.1). Operating temperature range specified (-55°C to 125°C). Comprehensive international certifications including CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, and VDE. ROHS3 compliant. Recommended for applications requiring broad regulatory compliance.

Littelfuse 235 Series (023502.5HXP, 023502.5MXP): Electrically equivalent with higher breaking capacity (100 A vs. 35 A) and lower melting I²t (5.445 vs. 6.1). Operating temperature range specified (-55°C to 125°C). CE, CSA, KC, PSE, and UL certified. ROHS3 compliant. Suitable for applications requiring enhanced breaking capacity and temperature stability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute GDB-2.5A with any of the listed parts?

A: Yes. All listed parts are functionally equivalent based on matching current rating (2.5 A), voltage rating (250 V AC), package dimensions (5mm x 20mm), fuse type (cartridge glass), response time (fast blow), and mounting requirement (requires holder). Physical installation compatibility is identical.

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

A: Breaking capacity indicates the maximum fault current the fuse can safely interrupt. Parts with 100 A breaking capacity (GMA-2.5-R, 023502.5HXP, 023502.5MXP) provide enhanced protection in high-fault-current circuits. Parts with 35 A breaking capacity are suitable for standard industrial applications. Selection depends on circuit fault current levels.

Q: What does melting I²t represent?

A: Melting I²t is a thermal characteristic indicating the energy required to melt the fuse element. Higher values (9.19, 9.46) indicate slower thermal response compared to lower values (4.9, 5.445, 6.1). This parameter affects nuisance trip behavior in circuits with inrush currents. Selection depends on application-specific inrush current profiles.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: The base GDB-2.5A does not specify RoHS status. All listed substitutes are either RoHS Compliant or ROHS3 Compliant. For applications requiring RoHS compliance, select from BK/GDB-2.5A, BK/S500-2.5-R, BK1/S500-2.5-R, GMA-2.5-R, S500-2.5-R, 0034.1520, 021702.5HXP, 021702.5MXP, 023502.5HXP, or 023502.5MXP.

Q: Which substitute has the broadest international certification?

A: Littelfuse 217 series (021702.5HXP, 021702.5MXP) carries the most comprehensive certification portfolio: BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, and VDE. This makes these parts suitable for applications requiring compliance across multiple international markets.

Q: Do operating temperature ranges affect substitution?

A: The base GDB-2.5A does not specify operating temperature range. Substitutes with specified ranges (-55°C to 125°C) include SCHURTER 0034.1520, Littelfuse 217 series, and Littelfuse 235 series. For temperature-sensitive applications, these parts provide documented thermal performance boundaries.

Q: What is the significance of DC cold resistance values?

A: DC cold resistance affects voltage drop across the fuse during normal operation. Lower values (0.034 Ohms) result in minimal voltage drop. Higher values (0.046 Ohms for GMA-2.5-R, 0.0437 Ohms for Littelfuse 235 series) produce slightly higher voltage drop. Selection depends on circuit voltage drop tolerance specifications.

Q: Can I use Littelfuse 235 series as a direct replacement for GDB-2.5A?

A: Yes, electrically and mechanically. However, note the higher breaking capacity (100 A vs. 35 A) and different melting I²t (5.445 vs. 6.1). These differences do not prevent substitution but may affect nuisance trip behavior in circuits with specific inrush current characteristics.

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