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

Part Overview

The GDB-5A is a 5 ampere, 250 volt AC/DC glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Eaton Electronics Division. This fast-blow fuse cartridge requires a holder for installation and is designed for circuit protection in industrial and commercial applications. The part maintains active product status with 971 pieces 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 certification standards.

Substiute Parts

GDB-5A

Eaton - Electronics DivisionIn Stock: 1047GDB-5A Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

BK/GDB-5A

Eaton - Electronics DivisionIn Stock: 1062BK/GDB-5A Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

BK/S500-5-R

Eaton - Electronics DivisionIn Stock: 4834BK/S500-5-R Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

BK1/S500-5-R

Eaton - Electronics DivisionIn Stock: 1667BK1/S500-5-R Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

S500-5-R

Eaton - Electronics DivisionIn Stock: 790S500-5-R Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0034.3884

SCHURTER Inc.In Stock: 17650034.3884 Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0217005.HXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 158400217005.HXP Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0217005.MXBP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 13210217005.MXBP Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0217005.MXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 224690217005.MXP Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0217005.TXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 8100217005.TXP Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0217005.VXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 10860217005.VXP Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

0617005.MXP

Littelfuse Inc.In Stock: 68410617005.MXP Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

FSC-5A

OptiFuseIn Stock: 3109FSC-5A Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

FSD-5A

OptiFuseIn Stock: 8413FSD-5A Datasheet

Parametric EquivalentRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the GDB-5A is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

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

Secondary Compatibility Parameters:

• Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage: 50A minimum
• Melting I²t: 42 nominal (tolerance range 21.4–42.795 acceptable)
• DC Cold Resistance: 0.014 Ohms nominal (tolerance range 0.0137–0.014 Ohms acceptable)

All identified substitute parts meet or exceed these criteria. Substitutes are grouped by manufacturer: Eaton Electronics Division (GDB and S500 series), Littelfuse Inc. (217 series), and SCHURTER Inc. (FSK 5x20 series). Compliance certifications vary by part number and are listed for application-specific selection.

Parameter Comparison

Compliance & Certification Summary

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Eaton GDB Series (GDB-5A, BK/GDB-5A): Direct equivalents within the Eaton GDB product line. BK/GDB-5A offers expanded certification (UL addition) and ROHS3 compliance. Both maintain identical electrical parameters and 5mm x 20mm form factor. Selection between these two depends on specific certification requirements for the target application.

Eaton S500 Series (BK/S500-5-R, BK1/S500-5-R, S500-5-R): Functionally equivalent alternatives from Eaton's S500 series. All three variants meet core electrical specifications. BK/S500-5-R and BK1/S500-5-R provide expanded international certifications (BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE). BK1/S500-5-R includes PSE certification for Japanese market applications. S500-5-R offers baseline certification coverage. Highest inventory availability (4810 pcs) in BK/S500-5-R variant.

SCHURTER FSK 5x20 Series (0034.3884): Functionally equivalent with higher breaking capacity (200A vs. 50A) and lower melting I²t (21.4 vs. 42). Operates across -40°C to 85°C temperature range. cULus certification. Selection appropriate for applications requiring enhanced breaking capacity or specific temperature performance within the specified range.

Littelfuse 217 Series (0217005.HXP, 0217005.MXBP, 0217005.MXP, 0217005.TXP, 0217005.VXP): Full electrical equivalents with comprehensive international certification coverage (BSI, CE, CCC, CSA, KC, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE). Operating temperature range -55°C to 125°C exceeds GDB-5A specification. DC cold resistance 0.0137 Ohms and melting I²t 42.795 are within acceptable tolerance. 0217005.MXP offers highest inventory (22400 pcs). All variants are ROHS3 compliant. Selection among variants depends on specific packaging or application requirements; electrical performance is equivalent across all five part numbers.

Selection Criteria Summary:

• For direct Eaton ecosystem compatibility: GDB-5A or BK/GDB-5A
• For expanded international certifications: BK/S500-5-R, BK1/S500-5-R, or Littelfuse 217 series
• For enhanced breaking capacity: 0034.3884 (SCHURTER)
• For maximum inventory availability: 0217005.MXP (Littelfuse, 22400 pcs) or BK/S500-5-R (Eaton, 4810 pcs)
• For extended temperature performance: Littelfuse 217 series (-55°C to 125°C) or SCHURTER 0034.3884 (-40°C to 85°C)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute GDB-5A with any of the listed alternatives without circuit redesign?

A: Yes. All listed substitute parts meet the core electrical parameters: 5A current rating, 250V AC voltage rating, fast-blow response, 5mm x 20mm package, and cartridge glass fuse type. Physical form factor and electrical performance are equivalent. No circuit redesign is required. Verify that the target application's certification requirements align with the substitute part's approval agencies.

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

A: Both series meet identical electrical specifications for the 5A 250V fast-blow cartridge. The S500 series variants (BK/S500-5-R, BK1/S500-5-R, S500-5-R) offer expanded international certification coverage compared to the base GDB-5A. The S500 series is preferred for applications requiring broader global compliance (BSI, CCC, CSA, cULus, IMQ, SEMKO, VDE certifications).

Q: Why does SCHURTER 0034.3884 have a higher breaking capacity (200A) than the GDB-5A (50A)?

A: Breaking capacity is a design characteristic that reflects the fuse's ability to safely interrupt fault currents at rated voltage. The SCHURTER part is engineered with higher breaking capacity, making it suitable for applications with higher potential fault currents. However, both parts are functionally equivalent for normal circuit protection at 5A rated current. Selection depends on the specific fault current levels in the target application.

Q: What does melting I²t represent, and why does it vary among substitutes?

A: Melting I²t is a thermal energy parameter that characterizes fuse response time and heat generation. It represents the integral of current squared over time required to melt the fuse element. Variations (GDB-5A: 42, SCHURTER 0034.3884: 21.4, Littelfuse 217 series: 42.795) reflect different fuse element designs. All values within the specified range (21.4–42.795) are acceptable for fast-blow 5A 250V applications. Lower I²t indicates faster response; higher I²t indicates slightly slower response. Selection should align with circuit protection timing requirements.

Q: Are all Littelfuse 217 series variants (HXP, MXBP, MXP, TXP, VXP) electrically identical?

A: Yes. All five Littelfuse 217 series variants listed are electrically identical: 5A, 250V AC, fast-blow, 5mm x 20mm cartridge glass fuse. Differences are in packaging, tape/reel configurations, or internal manufacturing processes. All carry identical electrical specifications, certifications, and operating temperature range (-55°C to 125°C). Selection among variants depends on procurement packaging requirements or supplier availability.

Q: Which substitute offers the best inventory availability?

A: Littelfuse 0217005.MXP offers the highest inventory with 22,400 pieces in stock. Eaton BK/S500-5-R is the second-highest with 4,810 pieces. Both are suitable for high-volume procurement or applications requiring rapid delivery.

Q: Do all substitutes have RoHS3 compliance?

A: Most substitutes are ROHS3 compliant. The base GDB-5A does not specify RoHS status. All Eaton S500 series variants, all Littelfuse 217 series variants, and SCHURTER 0034.3884 are explicitly ROHS3 compliant. For applications requiring RoHS certification, select from BK/GDB-5A, S500 series, Littelfuse 217 series, or SCHURTER 0034.3884.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for GDB-5A, and how do substitutes compare?

A: GDB-5A does not specify an operating temperature range. Littelfuse 217 series operates -55°C to 125°C (widest range). SCHURTER 0034.3884 operates -40°C to 85°C. Eaton S500 and GDB series do not specify temperature ranges. For applications with extreme temperature requirements, Littelfuse 217 series is recommended.

Q: Can I use 0034.3884 (SCHURTER) as a direct replacement if my circuit requires 50A breaking capacity?

A: 0034.3884 has 200A breaking capacity, which exceeds the 50A requirement. It is functionally suitable and will provide enhanced fault current handling. However, verify that the higher breaking capacity does not conflict with other circuit protection coordination requirements. The fuse will still operate at 5A rated current with fast-blow response.