HCPL-253L-520 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The HCPL-253L-520 is a 2-channel optoisolator with transistor output, rated for 5000Vrms isolation voltage. Manufactured by Broadcom Limited, this component is designed for applications requiring high-voltage galvanic isolation with DC input and transistor output configuration. The part is currently discontinued at DiGi Electronics, necessitating identification of functionally equivalent alternatives that maintain electrical and mechanical compatibility within the specified parameter ranges.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	HCPL-253L-520
Manufacturer	Broadcom Limited
Category	Optoisolators
Number of Channels	2
Voltage - Isolation	5000Vrms
Current Transfer Ratio (Min)	19% @ 16mA
Current Transfer Ratio (Max)	50% @ 16mA
Turn On / Turn Off Time (Typ)	200ns, 600ns
Input Type	DC
Output Type	Transistor
Voltage - Output (Max)	7V
Current - Output / Channel	8mA
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Typ)	1.5V
Current - DC Forward (If) (Max)	25mA
Operating Temperature	-55°C ~ 100°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	8-SMD, Gull Wing
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the HCPL-253L-520 is determined by the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Number of Channels: 2 (fixed requirement)
Input Type: DC (fixed requirement)
Output Type: Transistor (fixed requirement)
Mounting Type: Surface Mount (fixed requirement)
Package / Case: 8-SMD, Gull Wing (fixed requirement)
Operating Temperature Range: -55°C ~ 100°C (fixed requirement)
Current - Output / Channel: 8mA (fixed requirement)

Allowable Variation Parameters:

Voltage - Isolation: Minimum 5000Vrms (equal or higher acceptable)
Current Transfer Ratio (Min): Minimum 19% @ 16mA (equal or higher acceptable)
Voltage - Output (Max): Minimum 7V (equal or higher acceptable)
Turn On / Turn Off Time: Timing variations acceptable within application constraints

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on isolation voltage:

Category A - 5000Vrms Isolation (Direct Electrical Match):

HCPL-253L-520E (Broadcom Limited, Active status, ROHS3 Compliant)
SFH6326-X017T (Vishay, 5300Vrms, Active status, ROHS3 Compliant)
SFH6326-X009T (Vishay, 5300Vrms, Active status, ROHS3 Compliant)
SFH6326-X017 (Vishay, 5300Vrms, Active status, ROHS3 Compliant)
SFH6326-X009 (Vishay, 5300Vrms, Active status, ROHS3 Compliant)
SFH6325-X017T (Vishay, 5300Vrms, Active status, ROHS3 Compliant)
SFH6326-X007 (Vishay, 5300Vrms, Active status, ROHS3 Compliant)

Category B - 2500Vrms Isolation (Reduced Isolation Voltage):

HCPL2530S (onsemi, Obsolete status)
HCPL2530SD (Fairchild Semiconductor, Active status)
HCPL2531SDV (Fairchild Semiconductor, Active status)

Category B parts meet all mechanical and functional requirements but operate at half the isolation voltage rating. Selection from Category B requires confirmation that application isolation requirements do not exceed 2500Vrms.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	HCPL-253L-520	HCPL-253L-520E	HCPL2530S	HCPL2530SD	HCPL2531SDV	SFH6326-X017T	SFH6326-X009T
Manufacturer	Broadcom	Broadcom	onsemi	Fairchild	Fairchild	Vishay	Vishay
Number of Channels	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Voltage - Isolation	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	2500Vrms	2500Vrms	2500Vrms	5300Vrms	5300Vrms
Current Transfer Ratio (Min)	19% @ 16mA	19% @ 16mA	7% @ 16mA	7% @ 16mA	19% @ 16mA	19% @ 16mA	19% @ 16mA
Current Transfer Ratio (Max)	50% @ 16mA	50% @ 16mA	50% @ 16mA	50% @ 16mA	50% @ 16mA	—	—
Turn On / Turn Off Time (Typ)	200ns, 600ns	200ns, 600ns	450ns, 500ns	450ns, 500ns	450ns, 300ns	200ns, 500ns	200ns, 500ns
Input Type	DC	DC	DC	DC	DC	DC	DC
Output Type	Transistor	Transistor	Transistor	Transistor	Transistor	Transistor	Transistor
Voltage - Output (Max)	7V	7V	20V	20V	20V	25V	25V
Current - Output / Channel	8mA	8mA	8mA	8mA	8mA	8mA	8mA
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Typ)	1.5V	1.5V	1.45V	1.45V	1.45V	1.33V	1.33V
Current - DC Forward (If) (Max)	25mA	25mA	25mA	25mA	25mA	25mA	25mA
Operating Temperature	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C
Mounting Type	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount	Surface Mount
Package / Case	8-SMD, Gull Wing	8-SMD, Gull Wing	8-SMD, Gull Wing	8-SMD, Gull Wing	8-SMD, Gull Wing	8-SMD, Gull Wing	8-SMD, Gull Wing
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	Not specified	Not specified	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Product Status	Discontinued	Active	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Recommendation - HCPL-253L-520E (Broadcom Limited)

The HCPL-253L-520E is the direct successor to the HCPL-253L-520. It maintains identical electrical specifications including 5000Vrms isolation voltage, 19% minimum current transfer ratio, and 200ns/600ns switching times. The part is currently in Active product status with ROHS3 compliance. Packaging is available in Tape & Reel format with 686 units in stock. This substitution requires no circuit redesign and provides full electrical compatibility.

Secondary Recommendation - SFH6326-X017T or SFH6326-X009T (Vishay Semiconductor Opto Division)

These Vishay parts exceed the isolation voltage requirement at 5300Vrms and maintain the 19% minimum current transfer ratio. Both are available in Tape & Reel packaging with ROHS3 compliance and Active product status. Switching times are 200ns/500ns, which is within acceptable tolerance. Maximum output voltage is 25V compared to 7V on the original part, providing additional design margin. Inventory availability is 1764 units (SFH6326-X017T) and 1060 units (SFH6326-X009T).

Alternative Recommendation - HCPL2530SD (Fairchild Semiconductor)

The HCPL2530SD operates at 2500Vrms isolation voltage, which is half the original specification. This part is suitable only for applications where isolation requirements do not exceed 2500Vrms. It maintains all other mechanical and functional parameters including 2-channel configuration, 8-SMD Gull Wing package, and 8mA output current. Product status is Active with 50,682 units in stock.

Not Recommended - HCPL2530S (onsemi)

Although electrically compatible at 2500Vrms isolation, this part carries Obsolete product status and should not be selected for new designs or long-term supply assurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can HCPL2530S or HCPL2530SD be used as direct replacements for HCPL-253L-520?

A: These parts are mechanically and functionally compatible but operate at 2500Vrms isolation voltage compared to the original 5000Vrms specification. They are suitable only if application isolation requirements do not exceed 2500Vrms. The reduced isolation voltage represents a significant design change and must be verified against circuit requirements.

Q: What is the difference between SFH6326-X017T and SFH6326-X009T?

A: Both parts are electrically identical with 5300Vrms isolation, 19% minimum current transfer ratio, and 200ns/500ns switching times. The primary difference is packaging: SFH6326-X017T is supplied in Tape & Reel format (1764 units available), while SFH6326-X009T is also in Tape & Reel format (1060 units available). Selection between these variants depends on procurement and assembly requirements.

Q: Are there compatibility concerns with switching time differences?

A: The original HCPL-253L-520 specifies 200ns turn-on and 600ns turn-off time. Substitute parts from Vishay (SFH6326 series) specify 200ns turn-on and 500ns turn-off time, representing a 100ns improvement in turn-off performance. This faster switching is generally beneficial and does not create compatibility issues. Parts from onsemi and Fairchild specify 450ns/500ns, which is slower but remains within typical application tolerances.

Q: What is the significance of RoHS compliance status?

A: The original HCPL-253L-520 is RoHS non-compliant. All recommended substitutes (HCPL-253L-520E, SFH6326 series, HCPL2530SD, HCPL2531SDV) are ROHS3 compliant, meeting current environmental and regulatory requirements for new designs and manufacturing.

Q: Can I use parts with higher maximum output voltage (20V or 25V) instead of 7V?

A: Yes. Higher maximum output voltage ratings provide additional design margin and do not create compatibility issues. The circuit will operate within the original 7V specification while the component is rated for higher voltage. This is a beneficial characteristic that improves reliability.

Q: What inventory considerations should guide my selection?

A: HCPL-253L-520E (686 units), HCPL2530SD (50,682 units), HCPL2531SDV (99,900 units), and SFH6326-X017T (1,764 units) all have substantial inventory availability. Selection should prioritize electrical specification match first, then product status and compliance, with inventory as a secondary consideration.

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