LP331M250E3P3 Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor - Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The LP331M250E3P3 is a 330 µF, 250 V aluminum electrolytic capacitor manufactured by Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) in a radial, can snap-in package. This component is classified as Active and serves general-purpose applications requiring stable capacitance and low equivalent series resistance in through-hole mounting configurations.

Substitute parts become necessary when the primary part reaches end-of-life inventory, when design requirements demand improved thermal performance, or when alternative manufacturers offer superior electrical characteristics within the same functional envelope. The substitute parts listed maintain electrical equivalence across capacitance, voltage rating, tolerance, and mechanical compatibility while offering variations in ESR, ripple current handling, and operational lifetime.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit	Substitution Relevance
Capacitance	330	µF	Critical - Must match exactly
Voltage Rating	250	V	Critical - Must match or exceed
Tolerance	±20%	%	Critical - Must match
Package Type	Radial, Can - Snap-In	-	Critical - Mechanical compatibility
Lead Spacing	0.394" (10.00mm)	inches (mm)	Critical - PCB footprint compatibility
Mounting Type	Through Hole	-	Critical - Assembly method
Operating Temperature Range	-40°C ~ 105°C	°C	Critical - Thermal compatibility
Polarization	Polar	-	Critical - Circuit polarity requirement
ESR @ 120Hz	750 mOhm	mOhm	Performance - Lower ESR improves ripple current handling
Lifetime @ 105°C	1000	Hrs	Performance - Higher lifetime extends service life
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	-	Compliance - Regulatory requirement

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility is determined by strict adherence to the following critical parameters:

Mandatory Matching Parameters:

Capacitance: 330 µF (exact match required)
Voltage Rating: 250 V (exact match required)
Tolerance: ±20% (exact match required)
Package Type: Radial, Can - Snap-In (exact match required)
Lead Spacing: 0.394" (10.00mm) (exact match required)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (exact match required)
Operating Temperature Range: -40°C ~ 105°C (exact match required)
Polarization: Polar (exact match required)

Performance Parameters (Allowable Variation):

ESR: Lower values are acceptable and indicate improved performance
Lifetime @ 105°C: Higher values are acceptable and indicate extended service life
Ripple Current: Higher values are acceptable and indicate improved current handling capacity
Physical Dimensions (Diameter, Height): Variation permitted within mechanical envelope constraints

All substitute parts listed meet the mandatory matching parameters. Performance variations are documented to enable informed selection based on application-specific requirements.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	LP331M250E3P3 (CDE)	381LQ331M250H022 (CDE)	LGU2E331MELA (Nichicon)	B43504C2337M000 (EPCOS - TDK)
Manufacturer	Cornell Dubilier Electronics	Cornell Dubilier Electronics	Nichicon	EPCOS - TDK Electronics
Series	LP	381LQ	LGU	B43504
Capacitance	330 µF	330 µF	330 µF	330 µF
Voltage Rating	250 V	250 V	250 V	250 V
Tolerance	±20%	±20%	±20%	±20%
ESR @ Reference Frequency	750 mOhm @ 120Hz	502 mOhm @ 120Hz	Not specified	390 mOhm @ 100Hz
Lifetime @ 105°C	1000 Hrs	2000 Hrs	3000 Hrs	3000 Hrs
Operating Temperature	-40°C ~ 105°C	-40°C ~ 105°C	-40°C ~ 105°C	-40°C ~ 105°C
Ripple Current @ 120Hz	914 mA	1.2 A	1.3 A	1.2 A @ 100Hz
Ripple Current @ High Frequency	1.2796 A @ 100kHz	1.68 A @ 20kHz	1.95 A @ 50kHz	Not specified
Lead Spacing	0.394" (10.00mm)	0.394" (10.00mm)	0.394" (10.00mm)	0.394" (10.00mm)
Diameter	1.181" (30.00mm)	0.866" (22.00mm)	0.984" (25.00mm)	0.984" (25.00mm)
Height (Max)	1.181" (30.00mm)	1.260" (32.00mm)	1.181" (30.00mm)	1.260" (32.00mm)
Package Type	Radial, Can - Snap-In	Radial, Can - Snap-In	Radial, Can - Snap-In	Radial, Can - Snap-In
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Product Status	Active	Active	Active	Not For New Designs
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
REACH Status	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected

Engineering Selection Recommendations

381LQ331M250H022 (Cornell Dubilier Electronics - 381LQ Series)

This substitute offers improved performance over the primary LP331M250E3P3 part. ESR is reduced from 750 mOhm to 502 mOhm, resulting in lower heat dissipation and improved ripple current handling. Operational lifetime extends from 1000 hours to 2000 hours at 105°C. Physical dimensions are reduced (22.00mm diameter versus 30.00mm), providing space efficiency benefits. Product status is Active, ensuring continued availability and support. All compliance certifications (ROHS3, REACH Unaffected) are maintained. This part is suitable for direct substitution in applications where improved thermal performance and extended service life are beneficial.

LGU2E331MELA (Nichicon - LGU Series)

This substitute represents the highest performance option among available alternatives. Operational lifetime reaches 3000 hours at 105°C, providing maximum service life extension. Ripple current capacity is highest at 1.95 A @ 50kHz, enabling superior current handling. Physical dimensions (25.00mm diameter, 30.00mm height) provide a balanced profile between the primary part and other substitutes. Product status is Active with full compliance certifications. ESR data is not specified for this part; verification of ESR performance against application requirements is necessary prior to selection. This part is suitable for applications requiring maximum thermal stability and extended operational lifetime.

B43504C2337M000 (EPCOS - TDK Electronics - B43504 Series)

This substitute offers the lowest ESR at 390 mOhm @ 100Hz, providing optimal performance for ripple current applications. Operational lifetime is 3000 hours at 105°C. Physical dimensions match the LGU2E331MELA part (25.00mm diameter, 32.00mm height). Product status is designated "Not For New Designs," indicating this part is in mature or declining production phase. While all compliance certifications are maintained, this designation restricts its use to legacy system support or replacement applications only. This part is not suitable for new design implementations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute the LP331M250E3P3 with any of the listed parts without circuit modification?

A: Yes. All listed substitute parts maintain identical capacitance (330 µF), voltage rating (250 V), tolerance (±20%), lead spacing (10.00mm), and mounting type (through-hole radial snap-in). Direct substitution is electrically and mechanically compatible. Physical dimension variations (diameter and height) must be verified against available PCB space to ensure mechanical fit.

Q: What is the primary difference between the substitute parts?

A: The substitute parts differ in three performance areas: (1) Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) - lower values reduce heat generation and improve ripple current handling; (2) Operational Lifetime at 105°C - higher values extend service life; (3) Physical dimensions - smaller diameter and height options provide space efficiency. All parts maintain identical electrical specifications for capacitance, voltage, and tolerance.

Q: Which substitute part should I select for maximum reliability?

A: Selection depends on application-specific requirements. The LGU2E331MELA offers the longest operational lifetime (3000 hours @ 105°C) and highest ripple current capacity (1.95 A @ 50kHz), making it suitable for demanding thermal environments. The 381LQ331M250H022 provides balanced performance improvement with reduced ESR (502 mOhm) and doubled lifetime (2000 hours @ 105°C) at lower cost. The B43504C2337M000 offers lowest ESR (390 mOhm) but carries "Not For New Designs" status, restricting use to legacy applications.

Q: Are there physical space constraints I should consider?

A: Yes. The primary LP331M250E3P3 has a larger diameter (30.00mm) compared to the 381LQ331M250H022 (22.00mm) and LGU2E331MELA/B43504C2337M000 (25.00mm each). Height varies from 30.00mm (LP and LGU) to 32.00mm (381LQ and B43504). Verify available PCB space before substitution. Smaller diameter parts may provide layout advantages in space-constrained designs.

Q: Do all substitute parts meet current compliance requirements?

A: Yes. All listed substitute parts are ROHS3 Compliant and REACH Unaffected. The B43504C2337M000 carries "Not For New Designs" status, which does not affect compliance but restricts its use to replacement and legacy support applications. For new design implementations, select from LP331M250E3P3 (Active), 381LQ331M250H022 (Active), or LGU2E331MELA (Active).

Q: What does "Not For New Designs" mean for the B43504C2337M000?

A: This designation indicates the part is in mature production phase with declining manufacturer support. While the part remains compliant and functional, it is not recommended for incorporation into new product designs. Use this part only for replacement of existing assemblies or legacy system support where the original part specification must be maintained.

Q: How do I verify ESR compatibility if a substitute part does not specify ESR?

A: The LGU2E331MELA does not provide ESR specification in the available data. Contact the manufacturer (Nichicon) directly for ESR values at your application's operating frequency. Compare the provided ESR value against your circuit's ripple current requirements and thermal dissipation limits to confirm compatibility.

Q: Can I use these substitute parts in high-ripple-current applications?

A: Yes, with verification. The LGU2E331MELA supports the highest ripple current (1.95 A @ 50kHz), followed by 381LQ331M250H022 (1.68 A @ 20kHz) and B43504C2337M000 (1.2 A @ 100Hz). The primary LP331M250E3P3 supports 1.2796 A @ 100kHz. Select the substitute part whose ripple current rating meets or exceeds your application's maximum ripple current specification at the relevant frequency.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message