HCPL-4701#020 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The HCPL-4701#020 is a single-channel optoisolator with Darlington output and base connection, rated for 5000Vrms isolation voltage. Manufactured by Broadcom Limited, this component is discontinued at DiGi Electronics. The part operates in the 0°C to 70°C temperature range and is packaged in an 8-DIP through-hole configuration with 60mA output current capability. Due to its discontinued status, equivalent substitute parts are necessary for ongoing design support and procurement.

Key Parameters

Parameter	HCPL-4701#020
Manufacturer	Broadcom Limited
Category	Optoisolators
Number of Channels	1
Voltage - Isolation	5000Vrms
Current Transfer Ratio (Min)	600% @ 500µA
Output Type	Darlington with Base
Voltage - Output (Max)	18V
Current - Output / Channel	60mA
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Package / Case	8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)
Input Type	DC
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Typ)	1.25V
Current - DC Forward (If) (Max)	10 mA
Turn On / Turn Off Time (Typ)	3µs, 34µs
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the HCPL-4701#020 is determined by the following critical parameters:

Isolation Voltage: Minimum 5000Vrms (equal or higher)
Output Type: Darlington with Base configuration
Number of Channels: Single channel
Mounting Type: Through Hole
Package: 8-DIP form factor
Output Current: 60mA capability
Input Type: DC

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories based on package dimensions and product status:

Category A - Standard 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm): Direct mechanical and electrical equivalents with identical package pitch. Includes 6N138 (Fairchild Semiconductor), 6N139 (Texas Instruments), and 6N138-V (Everlight Electronics).

Category B - Wide 8-DIP (0.400", 10.16mm): Functionally equivalent but with wider package body. Includes 6N138M (Fairchild Semiconductor), 6N138G (Isocom Components), and 6N138M-V (Everlight Electronics). These require PCB layout verification for pin spacing compatibility.

Category C - Surface Mount Alternative: 6N138(TP1,F) from Toshiba provides functional equivalence in 8-SMD configuration for redesign scenarios.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	HCPL-4701#020	6N138	6N138-V	6N138M	6N138M-V	6N138G	6N139	6N138(TP1,F)
Manufacturer	Broadcom	Fairchild	Everlight	Fairchild	Everlight	Isocom	Texas Instruments	Toshiba
Voltage - Isolation	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	5300Vrms	2500Vrms
Current Transfer Ratio (Min)	600% @ 500µA	300% @ 1.6mA	300% @ 1.6mA	300% @ 1.6mA	300% @ 1.6mA	300% @ 1.6mA	500% @ 1.6mA	300% @ 1.6mA
Output Type	Darlington with Base	Darlington with Base	Darlington with Base	Darlington with Base	Darlington with Base	Darlington with Base	Darlington with Base	Darlington with Base
Voltage - Output (Max)	18V	7V	7V	7V	7V	7V	18V	18V
Current - Output / Channel	60mA	60mA	60mA	60mA	60mA	—	60mA	60mA
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Typ)	1.25V	1.4V	1.3V	1.3V	1.3V	1.3V	1.4V	1.65V
Current - DC Forward (If) (Max)	10 mA	25 mA	20 mA	20 mA	20 mA	20 mA	25 mA	20 mA
Turn On / Turn Off Time (Typ)	3µs, 34µs	1.35µs, 7.6µs	1.4µs, 8µs	1.4µs, 8µs	1.4µs, 8µs	—	600ns, 1.5µs	1µs, 4µs
Operating Temperature	0°C ~ 70°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-40°C ~ 85°C	-40°C ~ 85°C	-40°C ~ 85°C	-55°C ~ 85°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	0°C ~ 70°C
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Surface Mount
Package / Case	8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	8-DIP (0.400", 10.16mm)	8-DIP (0.400", 10.16mm)	8-DIP (0.400", 10.16mm)	8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	8-SMD, Gull Wing
Product Status	Discontinued	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active
RoHS Status	Non-compliant	Non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	—	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	Non-compliant	RoHS Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

For Direct Pin-Compatible Replacement (Standard 8-DIP 0.300" pitch):

6N138-V (Everlight Electronics) is the primary recommendation. It maintains 5000Vrms isolation, 8-DIP standard pitch, 60mA output current, and operates across -40°C to 85°C. Product status is Active with ROHS3 compliance. This part provides the closest electrical and mechanical match with current availability.

6N139 (Texas Instruments) offers enhanced performance with 5300Vrms isolation and faster switching (600ns turn-on), suitable for applications requiring higher isolation margin or improved speed. Product status is Active but RoHS non-compliant. Operating range extends to -55°C to 100°C.

For Wide Package Tolerance (8-DIP 0.400" pitch):

6N138M (Fairchild Semiconductor) and 6N138M-V (Everlight Electronics) are functionally equivalent with identical electrical specifications to 6N138-V but accommodate wider PCB spacing. 6N138M-V is Active with ROHS3 compliance. Both support -40°C to 85°C operation.

For Surface Mount Redesign:

6N138(TP1,F) (Toshiba Semiconductor) provides 8-SMD configuration for new designs. Note: isolation voltage is 2500Vrms, which is lower than the original 5000Vrms specification. This part is suitable only for applications where reduced isolation voltage is acceptable.

Compliance Considerations:

Parts with ROHS3 compliance (6N138-V, 6N138M-V, 6N138(TP1,F)) are preferred for new designs and procurement. RoHS non-compliant parts (6N138, 6N139) remain available but may face regulatory restrictions in certain markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can 6N138 directly replace HCPL-4701#020?

A: 6N138 meets the core electrical requirements (5000Vrms isolation, Darlington output, 60mA current, 8-DIP package). However, it is listed as Obsolete. 6N138-V or 6N138M-V are preferred alternatives with Active status.

Q: What is the difference between standard and wide 8-DIP packages?

A: Standard 8-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) and wide 8-DIP (0.400", 10.16mm) differ in body width. Standard pitch is 0.100" between pins in both cases. Wide packages require PCB layouts designed for 0.400" body clearance. Verify PCB footprint compatibility before substitution.

Q: Why does 6N138(TP1,F) have lower isolation voltage?

A: 6N138(TP1,F) is rated for 2500Vrms isolation, half that of the original 5000Vrms specification. This part is suitable only for applications where reduced isolation voltage meets design requirements. For equivalent isolation performance, use 6N138-V, 6N138M-V, or 6N139.

Q: Are there RoHS-compliant alternatives?

A: Yes. 6N138-V, 6N138M-V, and 6N138(TP1,F) are ROHS3 compliant. 6N138 and 6N139 are RoHS non-compliant.

Q: What is the impact of different Current Transfer Ratios?

A: HCPL-4701#020 specifies 600% minimum CTR at 500µA input. Most substitutes specify 300% at 1.6mA input. These are measured at different input currents and cannot be directly compared. Circuit design must account for the actual input current and resulting CTR at that operating point.

Q: Which substitute has the fastest switching speed?

A: 6N139 offers the fastest switching with 600ns turn-on and 1.5µs turn-off times. HCPL-4701#020 specifies 3µs turn-on and 34µs turn-off. For speed-critical applications, 6N139 provides improved performance.

Q: Can I use 6N139 in place of HCPL-4701#020?

A: Yes, electrically. 6N139 exceeds isolation voltage (5300Vrms vs 5000Vrms), matches output current (60mA), and supports Darlington output with base. However, maximum output voltage is 18V (same as original), and it is RoHS non-compliant. Verify compliance requirements for your application.

Q: What temperature range should I select?

A: HCPL-4701#020 operates 0°C to 70°C. Most substitutes support wider ranges (-40°C to 85°C or -55°C to 100°C). Select based on your application's actual operating environment. Wider temperature range provides design margin but does not change electrical performance within the original specification range.

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