GDB-3.15A Glass Cartridge Fuse Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The GDB-3.15A is a 3.15 ampere, 250 volt AC/DC glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Eaton Electronics Division. This fast-blow fuse cartridge operates in a 5mm x 20mm form factor and requires a compatible fuse holder for installation. The part maintains active product status with 1104 units in current inventory. Equivalent and substitute parts are identified to support procurement flexibility, supply chain continuity, and application-specific compliance requirements across multiple manufacturers and series designations.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	3.15 A
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
Size / Dimension	0.205" Dia x 0.787" L (5.20mm x 20.00mm)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the GDB-3.15A is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Mandatory Equivalence Criteria:

Current Rating: 3.15 A
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

All substitute parts listed meet these electrical and mechanical specifications. Variations in secondary parameters such as melting I²t, DC cold resistance, approval agencies, and operating temperature ranges do not disqualify substitution but are documented for application-specific selection. Substitute parts are sourced from Eaton Electronics Division (GDB and S500 series) and third-party manufacturers including Littelfuse Inc. (217 and 617 series) and SCHURTER Inc. (FSF 5x20 series).

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Series	Current Rating (A)	Voltage Rating (V AC)	Response Time	Package / Case	Breaking Capacity (A)	Melting I²t	DC Cold Resistance (Ohms)	Approval Agency	RoHS Status	Inventory (Pcs)
GDB-3.15A	Eaton - Electronics Division	GDB	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	13	0.025	VDE, UR	Not Specified	1104
BK/GDB-3.15A	Eaton - Electronics Division	GDB	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	13	0.025	UL, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	1443
BK/S500-3.15-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	13	0.025	BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	2409
BK1/S500-3.15-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	13	0.025	BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	2021
S500-3.15-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	S500	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	13	0.025	BSI, CCC, CSA, cURus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	1108
0034.1521	SCHURTER Inc.	FSF 5x20	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	16.1	Not Specified	CCC, cURus, PSE/JET, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	811
02173.15HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	17.72	0.0224	BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	3739
02173.15MXBP	Littelfuse	217	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	17.72	0.0224	BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	2241
02173.15TXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	17.72	0.0224	BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	949
02173.15VXP	Littelfuse Inc.	217	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	17.72	0.0224	BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	905
06173.15MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	617	3.15	250	Fast Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	17.71	0.0224	CCC, CE, CSA, UR, VDE	ROHS3 Compliant	8900

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Eaton GDB Series (BK/GDB-3.15A): Direct equivalent within the same manufacturer and series. Identical electrical specifications and melting I²t. Includes UL certification in addition to VDE. ROHS3 compliant. Recommended for applications requiring Eaton brand continuity.

Eaton S500 Series (BK/S500-3.15-R, BK1/S500-3.15-R, S500-3.15-R): Eaton-manufactured alternatives with expanded approval agency coverage including BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, and SEMKO. Identical electrical and thermal characteristics to GDB-3.15A. S500 series provides broader international compliance. Highest inventory availability within Eaton product line (2409 units for BK/S500-3.15-R).

SCHURTER FSF 5x20 Series (0034.1521): Third-party equivalent with identical electrical specifications. Melting I²t of 16.1 compared to GDB baseline of 13. Operating temperature range specified as -55°C to 125°C. Certifications include CCC, cURus, PSE/JET, and VDE. Suitable for applications requiring SCHURTER sourcing or specific regional compliance.

Littelfuse 217 Series (02173.15HXP, 02173.15MXBP, 02173.15TXP, 02173.15VXP): Third-party equivalents with comprehensive international approval coverage (BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE). Melting I²t of 17.72 and DC cold resistance of 0.0224 ohms. Operating temperature range -55°C to 125°C. Highest inventory availability among Littelfuse variants (3739 units for 02173.15HXP). Suitable for applications requiring broad global compliance certifications.

Littelfuse 617 Series (06173.15MXP): Third-party equivalent with highest inventory availability across all substitutes (8900 units). Melting I²t of 17.71 and DC cold resistance of 0.0224 ohms. Operating temperature range -55°C to 125°C. Certifications include CCC, CE, CSA, UR, and VDE. Recommended for high-volume procurement or applications with extended lead time requirements.

All substitute parts maintain active product status and ROHS3 compliance. Selection should prioritize application-specific compliance requirements, supply chain preferences, and inventory availability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can BK/GDB-3.15A be used as a direct replacement for GDB-3.15A?

A: Yes. Both parts are manufactured by Eaton Electronics Division within the GDB series. Electrical specifications, current rating, voltage rating, response time, package dimensions, and breaking capacity are identical. BK/GDB-3.15A includes additional UL certification and ROHS3 compliance documentation.

Q: What is the difference between Eaton S500 variants (BK/S500-3.15-R, BK1/S500-3.15-R, S500-3.15-R)?

A: All three S500 variants meet identical electrical and mechanical specifications. Differences exist in approval agency certifications and HTSUS codes. BK/S500-3.15-R and BK1/S500-3.15-R include cULus certification. S500-3.15-R includes cURus certification. Selection depends on specific regional compliance requirements.

Q: Are Littelfuse 217 series fuses (02173.15HXP, 02173.15MXBP, 02173.15TXP, 02173.15VXP) interchangeable?

A: Yes. All four Littelfuse 217 series variants meet identical electrical specifications, melting I²t values, DC cold resistance, and approval certifications. Differences in part number designations reflect internal Littelfuse product line variations. All are suitable for direct substitution.

Q: How does melting I²t affect fuse selection?

A: Melting I²t is a thermal characteristic that influences fuse response behavior. GDB-3.15A specifies 13, while Littelfuse and SCHURTER equivalents range from 16.1 to 17.72. Higher melting I²t values indicate slightly slower thermal response. All listed substitutes maintain the same 3.15A current rating and 35A breaking capacity, ensuring circuit protection equivalence.

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

A: DC cold resistance affects voltage drop across the fuse during normal operation. GDB-3.15A specifies 0.025 ohms, while Littelfuse variants specify 0.0224 ohms. These differences are minimal and do not affect functional substitution. Selection based on DC cold resistance is application-specific and depends on circuit design requirements.

Q: Can I substitute a 5mm x 20mm fuse with a different package size?

A: No. Package dimensions are a mandatory equivalence criterion. The 5mm x 20mm form factor is mechanically specific to compatible fuse holders. Substitution requires identical package dimensions. No cross-package substitutions are supported.

Q: Which substitute offers the highest inventory availability?

A: Littelfuse 06173.15MXP (617 series) maintains the highest inventory with 8900 units in stock. This part meets all electrical and mechanical specifications and includes CCC, CE, CSA, UR, and VDE certifications.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: All listed substitute parts are ROHS3 compliant. The original GDB-3.15A does not specify ROHS status in provided documentation. All Eaton S500 series, SCHURTER, and Littelfuse variants explicitly document ROHS3 compliance.

Q: What approval agencies are most commonly required?

A: VDE certification is present across all substitute parts. UL/cULus certifications are available in Eaton variants. Littelfuse parts include the broadest approval coverage: BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, and VDE. Selection should align with target market and regional regulatory requirements.

Q: Is operating temperature range a substitution criterion?

A: Operating temperature range is not a mandatory substitution criterion for electrical equivalence. GDB-3.15A does not specify operating temperature. SCHURTER and Littelfuse variants specify -55°C to 125°C. Application-specific thermal requirements may influence selection but do not disqualify substitution.

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