GDC-4A Equivalent & Substitute Parts Reference

Part Overview

The GDC-4A is a 4 A, 250 V AC/DC slow-blow glass cartridge fuse in 5mm x 20mm package format manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division. This fuse requires a holder for installation and is classified as Active product status. Substitute parts are identified when equivalent electrical parameters, mechanical dimensions, and approval certifications align with the original specification, enabling direct functional replacement in circuit protection applications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	4 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Response Time	Slow Blow
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	40 A
Melting I²t	71.8
DC Cold Resistance	0.0139 Ohms
Size / Dimension	0.205" Dia x 0.787" L (5.20mm x 20.00mm)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the GDC-4A are grouped based on strict equivalence of the following critical parameters:

Primary Equivalence Criteria:

Current Rating: 4 A
Voltage Rating (AC): 250 V
Fuse Type: Cartridge, Glass
Response Time: Slow Blow
Package / Case: 5mm x 20mm
Mounting Type: Requires Holder

Secondary Consideration Parameters:

Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage
Melting I²t
DC Cold Resistance
Approval Agency certifications
Product Status: Active

Parts are classified into two substitution categories:

Category 1 - Direct Parametric Equivalents: Parts matching all primary criteria with identical or equivalent secondary parameters (Breaking Capacity 40 A, Melting I²t 71.8 or similar range).

Category 2 - Parametric Equivalents with Variance: Parts matching all primary criteria but with different secondary parameters (Breaking Capacity 200 A, Melting I²t 300), suitable for applications where higher breaking capacity is acceptable.

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Current Rating (A)	Voltage Rating (V AC)	Response Time	Package	Breaking Capacity (A)	Melting I²t	DC Cold Resistance (Ohms)	Product Status
GDC-4A	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	71.8	0.0139	Active
BK/GDC-4A	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	71.8	0.0139	Active
BK/GMD-4-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	200	300	0.048	Active
BK/S506-4-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	71.8	0.0139	Active
GMD-4-R	Eaton - Electronics Division	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	200	300	0.048	Active
0213004.MXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	226.505	0.017	Active
0034.3123	SCHURTER Inc.	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	68.3	—	Active
0034.5049	SCHURTER Inc.	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	35	410	—	Active
0034.5623.11	SCHURTER Inc.	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	68.3	—	Active
0213004.TXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	226.505	0.017	Active
0218004.HXP	Littelfuse Inc.	4	250	Slow Blow	5mm x 20mm	40	69.1	0.0129	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Tier 1 - Highest Compatibility (Identical Secondary Parameters):

BK/GDC-4A, BK/S506-4-R, and 0034.5623.11 provide direct substitution with matching Breaking Capacity (40 A) and Melting I²t values within the 68.3–71.8 range. These parts maintain electrical performance characteristics equivalent to the GDC-4A. All three are Active status products with established approval certifications (cULus, IMQ, MITI/JET for Eaton variants; cURus, VDE for SCHURTER).

Tier 2 - Functional Equivalence (Comparable Secondary Parameters):

0213004.MXP, 0213004.TXP, and 0218004.HXP (Littelfuse Inc.) match all primary criteria with Breaking Capacity 40 A. Melting I²t values (226.505 for 0213004 series; 69.1 for 0218004.HXP) fall within acceptable operational ranges. DC Cold Resistance values (0.017 Ohms for Littelfuse; 0.0129 Ohms for 0218004.HXP) are comparable to the original 0.0139 Ohms. These parts carry comprehensive approval certifications including BSI, CCC, CE, CSA, PSE, SEMKO, UR, VDE, and UL.

Tier 3 - Higher Breaking Capacity Variants:

BK/GMD-4-R and GMD-4-R (Eaton - Electronics Division) maintain all primary criteria but feature elevated Breaking Capacity (200 A) and Melting I²t (300). These variants are suitable for applications requiring enhanced fault current withstand capability. DC Cold Resistance is 0.048 Ohms. Product Status is Active with PSE/Jet and UL certifications.

Tier 4 - Specialized Application Variant:

0034.5049 (SCHURTER Inc., FTT 5x20 series) matches primary criteria with Breaking Capacity 35 A and elevated Melting I²t (410). Operating temperature range is -40°C to 85°C. This variant is suitable for applications with specific thermal or response time requirements.

All substitute parts are Active status products with established manufacturer support and compliance certifications appropriate for their respective markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can BK/GDC-4A be used as a direct replacement for GDC-4A?

Yes. BK/GDC-4A is manufactured by Eaton - Electronics Division and matches all electrical parameters (4 A, 250 V AC, Slow Blow, 5mm x 20mm), mechanical dimensions, and secondary characteristics (Breaking Capacity 40 A, Melting I²t 71.8, DC Cold Resistance 0.0139 Ohms) of the GDC-4A. Both are Active status products with equivalent approval certifications.

Q2: What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 substitute parts?

Tier 1 parts (BK/GDC-4A, BK/S506-4-R, 0034.5623.11) have Melting I²t values within 68.3–71.8, closely matching the GDC-4A specification of 71.8. Tier 2 parts (Littelfuse 0213004 and 0218004 series) have Melting I²t values of 226.505 and 69.1 respectively, representing broader operational ranges while maintaining the 40 A Breaking Capacity and 4 A current rating.

Q3: When should GMD-4-R or BK/GMD-4-R be selected instead of direct equivalents?

GMD-4-R and BK/GMD-4-R feature Breaking Capacity of 200 A versus 40 A in the GDC-4A. These variants are selected for applications where higher fault current withstand capability is required. Melting I²t is 300 compared to 71.8 in the original. DC Cold Resistance is 0.048 Ohms versus 0.0139 Ohms. Selection depends on circuit fault current levels and system protection requirements.

Q4: Are all substitute parts compatible with the same fuse holder as GDC-4A?

Yes. All substitute parts listed are 5mm x 20mm cartridge fuses requiring a holder. Mechanical dimensions are 0.205" Dia x 0.787" L (5.20mm x 20.00mm) across all variants, ensuring physical compatibility with standard 5x20mm fuse holders.

Q5: What approval certifications should be verified for specific applications?

GDC-4A carries cURus, IMQ, and MITI/JET certifications. Littelfuse parts (0213004.MXP, 0213004.TXP, 0218004.HXP) carry BSI, CCC, CE, CSA, PSE, SEMKO, UR, and VDE certifications. SCHURTER parts carry cURus, VDE, CCC, and PSE/JET certifications. Eaton GMD variants carry PSE/Jet and UL certifications. Selection should align with regional compliance requirements (UL for North America, CE for Europe, PSE for Japan, CCC for China).

Q6: What is the operating temperature range for substitute parts?

GDC-4A does not specify an operating temperature range. Littelfuse parts (0213004.MXP, 0213004.TXP, 0218004.HXP) operate -55°C to 125°C. SCHURTER 0034.3123 and 0034.5623.11 operate -55°C to 125°C. SCHURTER 0034.5049 operates -40°C to 85°C. Selection should consider application thermal environment.

Q7: How do DC Cold Resistance values affect circuit performance?

DC Cold Resistance affects voltage drop across the fuse during normal operation. GDC-4A has 0.0139 Ohms. Littelfuse parts have 0.017 Ohms (0213004 series) or 0.0129 Ohms (0218004.HXP). SCHURTER parts do not specify this parameter. GMD variants have 0.048 Ohms. Higher resistance increases voltage drop; selection depends on circuit voltage margin requirements.

Q8: What does Melting I²t indicate?

Melting I²t is the thermal energy required to melt the fuse element, expressed in ampere-squared seconds. GDC-4A has 71.8. This parameter determines fuse response time to overcurrent. Higher values (e.g., 226.505 for Littelfuse 0213004, 300 for GMD-4-R, 410 for SCHURTER 0034.5049) indicate slower response to transient overcurrents, suitable for circuits with inrush current characteristics.

Q9: Are RoHS3 and REACH compliance statuses consistent across substitute parts?

Most substitute parts are RoHS3 Compliant and REACH Unaffected or REACH Compliant. GDC-4A does not specify RoHS or REACH status. Littelfuse and SCHURTER parts explicitly state RoHS3 Compliant and REACH Unaffected. Eaton GMD variants state RoHS3 Compliant. Verify compliance documentation for specific regulatory requirements.

Q10: Can substitute parts with different Breaking Capacity ratings be interchanged?

Breaking Capacity indicates the maximum fault current the fuse can safely interrupt. GDC-4A and most Tier 1/2 substitutes have 40 A Breaking Capacity. GMD variants have 200 A. SCHURTER 0034.5049 has 35 A. Selection must match or exceed the circuit's maximum available fault current. Undersizing (35 A in a 40 A circuit) is not recommended; oversizing (200 A in a 40 A circuit) is acceptable if other parameters align.

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