NLW40-50 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The NLW40-50 is a 40 µF, 50 V aluminum electrolytic capacitor in axial, can package manufactured by Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE). This component is classified as obsolete, indicating discontinuation from active production. The NLW series capacitor is designed for general-purpose applications requiring through-hole mounting with polar electrolytic construction.

Due to the obsolete status of the NLW40-50, locating equivalent substitute components is necessary for ongoing system maintenance, repair, and new design implementations where this capacitance and voltage rating is required.

Substiute Parts

NLW40-50

Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE)In Stock: 755NLW40-50 Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

476TMA050M

Cornell Dubilier / Illinois CapacitorIn Stock: 6176476TMA050M Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the NLW40-50 is determined by the following critical parameters:

Voltage Compatibility: The substitute must maintain the 50 V rated voltage to ensure safe operation within the original circuit design envelope.

Capacitance Range: The substitute capacitance value must fall within the tolerance band of the original part or provide functional equivalence. The NLW40-50 specifies -10%, +75% tolerance, establishing a usable range of 36 µF to 70 µF. The substitute 476TMA050M at 47 µF falls within this acceptable range.

Package and Mounting: Both the main part and substitute utilize axial, can package configuration with through-hole mounting, ensuring mechanical and electrical compatibility with existing PCB layouts and assembly processes.

Environmental Ratings: Operating temperature range (-40°C to 105°C) and RoHS3 compliance must be maintained across substitute selections to meet regulatory and thermal performance requirements.

Electrical Performance: ESR, ripple current ratings, and lifetime specifications are secondary selection criteria that may vary between substitutes while maintaining functional compatibility.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

The 476TMA050M serves as a direct substitute for the obsolete NLW40-50 based on the following engineering criteria:

Voltage and Capacitance Compatibility: Both components are rated at 50 V. The 476TMA050M capacitance of 47 µF is within the acceptable tolerance band of the NLW40-50 (36 µF to 70 µF), providing functional equivalence for general-purpose applications.

Product Status and Availability: The 476TMA050M is classified as active product status with 6111 pieces in stock, ensuring long-term availability and supply chain continuity compared to the obsolete NLW40-50.

Regulatory Compliance: Both components maintain ROHS3 compliance and MSL Level 1 (Unlimited) moisture sensitivity rating, satisfying environmental and handling requirements.

Thermal Performance: The 476TMA050M provides extended lifetime (2000 Hrs @ 105°C) compared to the NLW40-50 (1000 Hrs @ 105°C), offering improved reliability in thermal stress conditions.

Physical Compatibility: Both components utilize identical package type (Axial, Can) and mounting method (Through Hole), enabling direct mechanical substitution on existing PCB designs. The 476TMA050M features a smaller physical footprint, which may provide layout advantages in space-constrained applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the 476TMA050M directly replace the NLW40-50 in existing circuit designs?

A: Yes. Both components share identical voltage rating (50 V), compatible capacitance values within tolerance specifications, matching package type (Axial, Can), and identical mounting method (Through Hole). The 476TMA050M is electrically and mechanically compatible for direct substitution.

Q: What is the capacitance difference between the NLW40-50 and 476TMA050M?

A: The NLW40-50 is rated at 40 µF while the 476TMA050M is rated at 47 µF. This 7 µF difference represents an 17.5% increase. The 47 µF value falls within the NLW40-50 tolerance band (-10%, +75%), making it functionally equivalent for general-purpose applications.

Q: Are there physical size differences between these components?

A: Yes. The NLW40-50 measures 0.400" diameter x 0.880" length (10.16mm x 22.35mm), while the 476TMA050M measures 0.248" diameter x 0.630" length (6.30mm x 16.00mm). The substitute is physically smaller, which may require PCB layout verification to ensure proper fit in existing mounting holes and clearance around adjacent components.

Q: Does the 476TMA050M meet the same environmental and compliance standards?

A: Yes. Both components are ROHS3 compliant and carry MSL Level 1 (Unlimited) moisture sensitivity rating. Both operate across the identical temperature range (-40°C to 105°C), meeting equivalent environmental and regulatory requirements.

Q: What are the ESR differences, and do they affect circuit performance?

A: The NLW40-50 has 5 Ohm ESR @ 120 Hz, while the 476TMA050M has 4.233 Ohm ESR @ 120 Hz. The substitute exhibits lower ESR, which reduces resistive losses and heat generation. This represents an improvement in electrical performance for general-purpose applications.

Q: Is the 476TMA050M suitable for bypass and decoupling applications?

A: Yes. The 476TMA050M is specified for bypass and decoupling applications. The lower ESR and higher ripple current rating at high frequency (200 mA @ 50 kHz) make it suitable for these applications, which may extend functionality beyond the original NLW40-50 general-purpose classification.