MR856 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The MR856 is a general-purpose rectifier diode rated for 600 V DC reverse voltage and 3 A average rectified current in an axial through-hole package. This component is classified as obsolete, which necessitates identification of equivalent and substitute parts for ongoing design support and procurement continuity. The MR856 features fast recovery characteristics with a reverse recovery time of 300 ns and operates across a junction temperature range of -65°C to 125°C. Active equivalent parts and functional substitutes are available from multiple manufacturers with comparable or enhanced electrical specifications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Voltage - DC Reverse (Vr) (Max)	600	V
Current - Average Rectified (Io)	3	A
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If	1.25 V @ 3 A	V
Speed Classification	Fast Recovery ≤ 500ns, > 200mA (Io)	—
Reverse Recovery Time (trr)	300	ns
Current - Reverse Leakage @ Vr	10	µA @ 600 V
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	DO-201AA, DO-27, Axial	—
Operating Temperature - Junction	-65 to 125	°C
RoHS Status	RoHS non-compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the MR856 is determined by strict equivalence in the following electrical and mechanical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Voltage - DC Reverse (Vr) (Max): 600 V minimum
Current - Average Rectified (Io): 3 A minimum
Mounting Type: Through Hole
Package compatibility: Axial configurations (DO-201AA, DO-27, SOD-64)

Secondary Compatibility Factors:

Forward voltage (Vf) at rated current
Reverse recovery time (trr) and speed classification
Reverse leakage current
Operating temperature range
RoHS and regulatory compliance status

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Direct Equivalent: MR856G (onsemi) — identical electrical specifications with active product status and RoHS3 compliance.

Functional Substitutes: Parts meeting or exceeding the 600 V / 3 A rating with compatible through-hole axial packaging. These include standard recovery and avalanche technology variants from onsemi, Comchip Technology, Micro Commercial Co, and Vishay. Functional substitutes may exhibit variations in forward voltage, reverse recovery time, reverse leakage current, and temperature range, all within acceptable engineering tolerances for general-purpose rectification applications.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Vr (Max) [V]	Io [A]	Vf (Max) @ If [V]	Speed	trr [ns]	Ir @ Vr [µA]	Package	Temp Range [°C]	Product Status	RoHS
MR856	onsemi	600	3	1.25 @ 3A	Fast Recovery ≤ 500ns	300	10 @ 600V	DO-201AA, DO-27	-65 to 125	Obsolete	Non-compliant
MR856G	onsemi	600	3	1.25 @ 3A	Fast Recovery ≤ 500ns	300	10 @ 600V	DO-201AA, DO-27	-65 to 125	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
EGP30J	onsemi	600	3	1.7 @ 3A	Fast Recovery ≤ 500ns	75	5 @ 600V	DO-201AD	-65 to 150	Not For New Designs	ROHS3 Compliant
1N5406-G	Comchip Technology	600	3	1 @ 3A	Standard Recovery >500ns	—	5 @ 600V	DO-201AD	-65 to 125	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
1N5406GP-AP	Micro Commercial Co	600	3	1.1 @ 3A	Standard Recovery >500ns	—	5 @ 600V	DO-201AD	-55 to 150	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
1N5406GP-TP	Micro Commercial Co	600	3	1.1 @ 3A	Standard Recovery >500ns	—	5 @ 600V	DO-201AD	-55 to 150	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
1N5626-TAP	Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division	600	3	1 @ 3A	Standard Recovery >500ns	7500	1 @ 200V	SOD-64	-55 to 175	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
60S6-TP	Micro Commercial Co	600	6	1 @ 6A	Standard Recovery >500ns	—	5 @ 600V	DO-201AD	-55 to 150	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BYM36C-TAP	Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division	600	3	1.6 @ 3A	Fast Recovery ≤ 500ns	100	5 @ 600V	SOD-64	-55 to 175	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BYT56J-TAP	Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division	600	3	1.4 @ 3A	Fast Recovery ≤ 500ns	100	5 @ 600V	SOD-64	-55 to 175	Active	ROHS3 Compliant
BYT56J-TR	Vishay General Semiconductor - Diodes Division	600	3	1.4 @ 3A	Fast Recovery ≤ 500ns	100	5 @ 600V	SOD-64	-55 to 175	Active	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Replacement (Recommended for Obsolescence Mitigation):

MR856G is the primary equivalent for the obsolete MR856. Both parts share identical electrical specifications: 600 V reverse voltage, 3 A average rectified current, 1.25 V forward voltage at 3 A, 300 ns reverse recovery time, and -65°C to 125°C operating temperature range. MR856G is active in production and RoHS3 compliant, addressing both supply continuity and regulatory requirements. This part requires no circuit redesign or validation.

Active Substitutes with Fast Recovery Characteristics:

BYT56J-TR and BYT56J-TAP (Vishay) maintain the fast recovery speed classification (≤ 500ns) with 100 ns reverse recovery time, superior to the MR856. Both are rated 600 V / 3 A with extended operating temperature range (-55°C to 175°C) and RoHS3 compliance. These parts are packaged in SOD-64 axial format and are suitable for applications requiring improved switching performance. BYM36C-TAP offers similar fast recovery characteristics with comparable specifications.

Standard Recovery Alternatives:

1N5406-G (Comchip Technology), 1N5406GP-AP, and 1N5406GP-TP (Micro Commercial Co) are active 600 V / 3 A rectifiers with standard recovery characteristics (>500ns). These parts exhibit lower forward voltage (1.0 to 1.1 V) and reduced reverse leakage current (5 µA) compared to the MR856. Operating temperature range extends to 150°C for the Micro Commercial Co variants. These parts are suitable for applications where fast recovery is not a design requirement.

Higher Current Rating Option:

60S6-TP (Micro Commercial Co) is rated for 600 V / 6 A, providing double the current capacity of the MR856 while maintaining the same voltage rating. This part is applicable in designs requiring increased current handling with the same voltage specification.

Avalanche Technology Option:

1N5626-TAP (Vishay) is an avalanche-rated diode with 600 V / 3 A specifications and extended temperature range (-55°C to 175°C). This part exhibits significantly longer reverse recovery time (7.5 µs) and lower reverse leakage current (1 µA @ 200 V), suitable for applications requiring avalanche protection characteristics.

All recommended substitutes are RoHS3 compliant and REACH unaffected, meeting current regulatory requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can MR856G be used as a direct replacement for MR856?

A: Yes. MR856G is the direct equivalent with identical electrical specifications and package format. The primary difference is product status (active versus obsolete) and RoHS compliance (ROHS3 versus non-compliant). No circuit modifications are required.

Q: What is the difference between fast recovery and standard recovery diodes?

A: Fast recovery diodes have reverse recovery time ≤ 500 ns, while standard recovery diodes exceed 500 ns. The MR856 is classified as fast recovery with 300 ns trr. Fast recovery diodes reduce switching losses and are preferred in high-frequency applications. Standard recovery alternatives (1N5406 series) are suitable for lower-frequency rectification where switching speed is not critical.

Q: Are SOD-64 packaged parts compatible with DO-27 / DO-201AA applications?

A: SOD-64 and DO-27 / DO-201AA are both axial through-hole packages with similar form factors. Physical compatibility depends on PCB layout and lead spacing. BYT56J-TR, BYT56J-TAP, and BYM36C-TAP use SOD-64 packaging and are mechanically compatible with standard axial diode footprints. Verify PCB hole spacing and lead diameter specifications before substitution.

Q: What is the significance of reverse leakage current differences?

A: Reverse leakage current (Ir) represents the small current flowing through the diode in reverse bias. The MR856 specifies 10 µA @ 600 V, while most substitutes specify 5 µA or lower. Lower reverse leakage reduces power dissipation and heat generation, particularly in high-voltage applications. This difference is not critical for general-purpose rectification but becomes significant in precision analog circuits or high-impedance applications.

Q: Why do some substitutes have extended temperature ranges?

A: Extended operating temperature ranges (-55°C to 175°C versus -65°C to 125°C) reflect improved semiconductor processing and packaging technology. Parts with extended ranges provide design margin for applications operating in extreme thermal environments. The MR856 operates to 125°C; substitutes with higher maximum ratings provide additional thermal headroom without circuit modification.

Q: Is RoHS compliance mandatory for MR856 replacement?

A: RoHS3 compliance is required for new designs and products sold in regulated markets (EU, China, and others). The obsolete MR856 is non-compliant. All recommended active substitutes are RoHS3 compliant, ensuring regulatory conformance for new production and procurement.

Q: Can 60S6-TP be used in place of MR856 if current capacity is not a limiting factor?

A: Yes. 60S6-TP is rated for 600 V / 6 A, exceeding the MR856 specification of 600 V / 3 A. The higher current rating does not degrade performance in lower-current applications. This part is suitable for designs where future current scaling or design margin is desired. Verify package compatibility (DO-201AD axial format) with PCB layout.

Q: What is the difference between Comchip Technology 1N5406-G and Micro Commercial Co 1N5406GP variants?

A: Both are 600 V / 3 A standard recovery rectifiers with the same base part number (1N5406). Differences include forward voltage (1.0 V for Comchip versus 1.1 V for Micro Commercial Co), operating temperature range (-65°C to 125°C for Comchip versus -55°C to 150°C for Micro Commercial Co), and packaging options (Tape & Box versus Tape & Reel). Electrical performance is equivalent for general-purpose rectification.

Q: Are avalanche-rated diodes (1N5626-TAP) necessary for MR856 replacement?

A: Avalanche rating is not required for standard rectification applications. Avalanche diodes provide transient overvoltage protection through controlled breakdown, beneficial in circuits with voltage spikes or switching transients. The 1N5626-TAP is applicable only if the original design requires avalanche protection characteristics. For standard rectification, non-avalanche alternatives are sufficient.

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