GDB-4A Glass Cartridge Fuse 4A 250VAC 5x20mm Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The GDB-4A is a fast-blow glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division, rated for 4 amperes at 250 volts AC/DC. This component requires a fuse holder for installation and is housed in a 5mm x 20mm cylindrical package. The part maintains active product status with 673 pieces in current inventory. Equivalent and substitute parts are identified based on matching electrical ratings, mechanical dimensions, response characteristics, and regulatory approvals to ensure direct functional interchangeability in circuit protection applications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	4 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Response Time	Fast Blow
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	40A
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
DC Cold Resistance	0.021 Ohms
Melting I²t	22

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the GDB-4A are classified as parametric equivalents based on the following criteria:

Primary Matching Parameters:

Current Rating: 4 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)
Breaking Capacity: 40A (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Requires Holder (exact match required)

Secondary Compatibility Parameters:

Melting I²t: 22 to 29.165 (acceptable range for fast-blow glass fuses)
DC Cold Resistance: 0.021 to 0.0165 Ohms (acceptable range)
Regulatory Approvals: VDE, UR, UL, BSI, CSA, CCC, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, PSE, KC, CE (multiple certifications acceptable)
RoHS Status: RoHS Compliant or ROHS3 Compliant (acceptable)
Product Status: Active (required)

All identified substitutes maintain identical electrical and mechanical specifications within the allowed parameter ranges, ensuring direct replacement capability without circuit redesign or holder modification.

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Current Rating (A)	Voltage Rating (V AC)	Package	Response Time	Breaking Capacity (A)	Melting I²t	DC Cold Resistance (Ohms)	Inventory (Pcs)
GDB-4A	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	22	0.021	673
BK/GDB-4A	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	22	0.021	871
BK/S500-4-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	22	0.021	5008
BK1/S500-4-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	22	0.021	914
S500-4-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	22	0.021	868
0034.1522	SCHURTER Inc.	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	25.6	Not Specified	6280
0217004.HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	29.165	0.0165	5630
0217004.MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	29.165	0.0165	27000
0217004.TXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	29.165	0.0165	1018
0217004.VXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	29.165	0.0165	1070
0617004.MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	5x20mm	Fast Blow	40	29.165	0.0165	3973

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Eaton GDB Series (BK/GDB-4A, BK/S500-4-R, BK1/S500-4-R, S500-4-R): These Eaton-manufactured substitutes provide direct electrical and mechanical equivalence to the GDB-4A. The BK/GDB-4A maintains identical specifications and series designation. The S500 series variants (BK/S500-4-R, BK1/S500-4-R, S500-4-R) offer expanded regulatory approvals including BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, and VDE. BK/S500-4-R and BK1/S500-4-R carry ROHS3 compliance. Selection among Eaton variants depends on specific regulatory requirements and inventory availability.

SCHURTER 0034.1522 (FSF 5x20 Series): This SCHURTER substitute maintains all critical electrical parameters with a melting I²t of 25.6, within the acceptable range for fast-blow glass fuses. Operating temperature range is specified as -55°C to 125°C. Regulatory approvals include CCC, cURus, PSE/JET, and VDE. This option is suitable for applications requiring SCHURTER component qualification or extended temperature operation.

Littelfuse 217 Series (0217004.HXP, 0217004.MXP, 0217004.TXP, 0217004.VXP): All Littelfuse 217 series variants provide identical electrical ratings with melting I²t of 29.165 and DC cold resistance of 0.0165 Ohms. Operating temperature range is -55°C to 125°C. Regulatory approvals include BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, and VDE. The 0217004.MXP variant offers the highest inventory level (27,000 pieces). All 217 series parts carry ROHS3 compliance and REACH Unaffected status.

Littelfuse 617 Series (0617004.MXP): This Littelfuse 617 series substitute matches all electrical specifications with melting I²t of 29.165 and DC cold resistance of 0.0165 Ohms. Operating temperature range is -55°C to 125°C. Regulatory approvals include CCC, CE, CSA, UR, and VDE. ROHS3 compliance and REACH Unaffected status are confirmed.

Selection criteria should prioritize: (1) regulatory approval alignment with end-application requirements, (2) inventory availability for supply chain continuity, (3) temperature operating range compatibility with circuit environment, and (4) existing component qualification within the design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can all listed substitute parts be used interchangeably with the GDB-4A?

A: Yes. All identified substitutes match the critical parameters: 4A current rating, 250V AC voltage rating, 5x20mm package dimensions, fast-blow response time, 40A breaking capacity, and cartridge glass fuse type. Direct replacement is possible without circuit modification or holder change.

Q: What is the difference between the Eaton GDB series and S500 series substitutes?

A: Both series are manufactured by Eaton and provide identical electrical and mechanical specifications. The S500 series variants (BK/S500-4-R, BK1/S500-4-R, S500-4-R) carry expanded regulatory approvals including BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, and SEMKO. The GDB series designation is retained in BK/GDB-4A. Selection depends on specific regulatory requirements for the application.

Q: Are there differences in melting I²t values among the substitutes?

A: Yes. The GDB-4A and Eaton S500 variants specify melting I²t of 22. SCHURTER 0034.1522 specifies 25.6. Littelfuse 217 and 617 series specify 29.165. These variations remain within acceptable parameters for fast-blow glass fuses and do not prevent interchangeability. The melting I²t value affects the thermal response curve but does not change the nominal 4A current rating or 250V voltage rating.

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

A: The GDB-4A and Eaton S500 variants specify 0.021 Ohms DC cold resistance. Littelfuse 217 and 617 series specify 0.0165 Ohms. SCHURTER 0034.1522 does not specify this parameter. These differences are within acceptable tolerances for fast-blow glass cartridge fuses and do not affect circuit protection function or interchangeability.

Q: Which substitute offers the best inventory availability?

A: Littelfuse 0217004.MXP (217 series) provides the highest inventory level at 27,000 pieces. Eaton BK/S500-4-R offers 5,008 pieces. SCHURTER 0034.1522 provides 6,280 pieces. Inventory levels should be verified at time of procurement as stock quantities change.

Q: Do all substitutes carry RoHS compliance?

A: The GDB-4A does not specify RoHS status. Eaton BK/GDB-4A carries RoHS Compliant status. Eaton S500 variants (BK/S500-4-R, BK1/S500-4-R, S500-4-R) carry ROHS3 Compliant status. SCHURTER 0034.1522 carries ROHS3 Compliant status. All Littelfuse variants (217 and 617 series) carry ROHS3 Compliant status. Applications requiring RoHS compliance should select from the ROHS3 Compliant options.

Q: What regulatory approvals are common across all substitutes?

A: VDE approval is common to all substitutes. The GDB-4A carries VDE and UR approvals. Eaton S500 variants add BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, and SEMKO. SCHURTER adds CCC, cURus, and PSE/JET. Littelfuse variants add BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, and UR. Selection should match the specific regulatory requirements of the target application and end market.

Q: Are operating temperature ranges specified for all parts?

A: The GDB-4A does not specify an operating temperature range. Eaton S500 variants do not specify operating temperature. SCHURTER 0034.1522 specifies -55°C to 125°C. All Littelfuse variants (217 and 617 series) specify -55°C to 125°C. Applications requiring operation outside standard ambient conditions should select SCHURTER or Littelfuse options with specified temperature ranges.

Q: What is the REACH status of the substitutes?

A: The GDB-4A does not specify REACH status. Eaton S500 variants do not specify REACH status. SCHURTER 0034.1522 specifies REACH Unaffected. All Littelfuse variants (217 and 617 series) specify REACH Unaffected. Applications subject to REACH regulations should select from options with REACH Unaffected status.

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