PS8601L Optoisolator Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The PS8601L is an optoisolator transistor with base output manufactured by CEL, designed for 5000Vrms isolation applications in single-channel configurations. This component features an 8-SMD Gull Wing package and operates across the temperature range of -55°C to 100°C. The PS8601L is classified as obsolete, making equivalent and substitute parts necessary for ongoing design support and procurement continuity. The part is RoHS non-compliant and REACH-affected, which may influence substitution decisions in regulated applications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	PS8601L
Manufacturer	CEL
Category	Optoisolators
Product Status	Obsolete
Number of Channels	1
Voltage - Isolation	5000Vrms
Current Transfer Ratio (Min)	15% @ 16mA
Turn On / Turn Off Time (Typ)	500ns / 300ns
Input Type	DC
Output Type	Transistor with Base
Voltage - Output (Max)	35V
Current - Output / Channel	8mA
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Typ)	1.7V
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 PS8601L is determined by strict alignment of the following critical parameters:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Voltage - Isolation: 5000Vrms (exact match required)
Number of Channels: 1 (single channel)
Output Type: Transistor with Base
Input Type: DC
Mounting Type: Surface Mount
Package / Case: 8-SMD, Gull Wing
Current - Output / Channel: 8mA (exact match)

Secondary Compatibility Parameters:

Current Transfer Ratio (Min): 15% @ 16mA or higher
Voltage - Output (Max): 35V or higher
Current - DC Forward (If) (Max): 25mA or higher
Operating Temperature Range: Must encompass -55°C to 100°C or be compatible with application requirements

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Parametric Equivalents: Parts that match all primary criteria and maintain identical electrical specifications. These include PS8501L2-AX, PS8501L2-V-AX, PS8501L3-AX, and PS8501L3-V-AX from Renesas Electronics Corporation.

Similar Alternatives: Parts that satisfy primary substitution criteria but exhibit variations in secondary parameters. These include 6N136-X017T (Vishay), 6N136SDVM (onsemi), HCPL-4562-300E, HCPL-4562-500E, and HCPL-4562-520E (Broadcom Limited). These alternatives maintain functional compatibility while offering different performance characteristics in isolation voltage, output voltage rating, or timing specifications.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	PS8601L (Main)	PS8501L3-AX	PS8501L2-AX	6N136-X017T	6N136SDVM	HCPL-4562-520E
Manufacturer	CEL	Renesas	Renesas	Vishay	onsemi	Broadcom
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active	Active
Number of Channels	1	1	1	1	1	1
Voltage - Isolation	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	5000Vrms	5300Vrms	5000Vrms	5000Vrms
Current Transfer Ratio (Min)	15% @ 16mA	15% @ 16mA	15% @ 16mA	19% @ 16mA	19% @ 16mA	—
Turn On / Turn Off Time (Typ)	500ns / 300ns	220ns / 350ns	220ns / 350ns	200ns / 200ns	250ns / 260ns	—
Output Type	Transistor with Base	Transistor with Base	Transistor with Base	Transistor with Base	Transistor with Base	Transistor with Base
Voltage - Output (Max)	35V	35V	35V	15V	20V	20V
Current - Output / Channel	8mA	8mA	8mA	8mA	8mA	8mA
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Typ)	1.7V	1.7V	1.7V	1.33V	1.45V	1.3V
Current - DC Forward (If) (Max)	25mA	25mA	25mA	25mA	25mA	12mA
Operating Temperature	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-55°C ~ 100°C	-40°C ~ 100°C	-40°C ~ 85°C
Mounting Type	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
RoHS Status	Non-compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
REACH Status	REACH Affected	REACH Affected	REACH Unaffected	—	REACH Unaffected	REACH Unaffected

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Parametric Equivalent Selection (Preferred for Direct Replacement):

PS8501L3-AX, PS8501L2-AX, PS8501L2-V-AX, and PS8501L3-V-AX from Renesas Electronics Corporation are parametric equivalents that maintain full electrical and mechanical compatibility with the PS8601L. These parts are manufactured in the NEPOC series and are classified as Active products, ensuring long-term availability. All Renesas equivalents are ROHS3 compliant, providing regulatory advantage over the original obsolete part. PS8501L2-AX and PS8501L2-V-AX carry REACH Unaffected status, while PS8501L3-AX and PS8501L3-V-AX are REACH Affected. The Renesas parts support the full operating temperature range of -55°C to 100°C and maintain the 35V maximum output voltage specification.

Alternative Selection (When Parametric Equivalents Are Unavailable):

6N136SDVM from onsemi provides functional substitution with Active product status and ROHS3 compliance. This part maintains 5000Vrms isolation, 8mA output current, and -40°C to 100°C operating range. The 20V maximum output voltage is lower than the original specification but suitable for applications not requiring the full 35V capability. REACH Unaffected status provides regulatory advantage.

HCPL-4562-520E from Broadcom Limited offers 5000Vrms isolation with Active status and ROHS3 compliance. However, this part operates only to 85°C maximum and carries a reduced maximum forward current of 12mA, making it suitable only for applications within the -40°C to 85°C temperature window and lower input current requirements.

6N136-X017T from Vishay provides enhanced isolation voltage at 5300Vrms with faster switching times (200ns on/off). The 15V maximum output voltage limits applicability to lower voltage circuits. This part is suitable for applications requiring superior isolation performance within constrained output voltage requirements.

Compliance Considerations:

Applications subject to RoHS or REACH regulations should prioritize Renesas PS8501L series parts (ROHS3 compliant) or onsemi 6N136SDVM (ROHS3 compliant, REACH Unaffected). Broadcom HCPL-4562-520E is also ROHS3 compliant and REACH Unaffected, providing full regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can PS8501L3-AX directly replace PS8601L without circuit modification?

A: Yes. PS8501L3-AX is a parametric equivalent with identical isolation voltage (5000Vrms), output voltage rating (35V), output current (8mA), forward voltage (1.7V), and operating temperature range (-55°C to 100°C). The 8-SMD Gull Wing package and DC input/transistor with base output configuration are identical. No circuit modification is required.

Q: What is the difference between PS8501L2-AX and PS8501L3-AX?

A: Both parts are parametric equivalents of PS8601L with identical electrical specifications. The primary difference is the product designation suffix. PS8501L2-AX and PS8501L3-AX both maintain 15% minimum current transfer ratio at 16mA, 5000Vrms isolation, and 35V maximum output voltage. Selection between these variants should be based on availability and REACH compliance requirements (PS8501L2-AX is REACH Unaffected; PS8501L3-AX is REACH Affected).

Q: Why does 6N136SDVM have a lower maximum output voltage (20V vs. 35V)?

A: 6N136SDVM is a similar alternative rather than a parametric equivalent. While it maintains the critical isolation voltage (5000Vrms), output current (8mA), and package configuration, the output stage design differs, resulting in a 20V maximum output voltage specification. This part is suitable for applications operating below 20V but not for circuits requiring the full 35V capability of the original PS8601L.

Q: Is HCPL-4562-520E suitable for -55°C operation?

A: No. HCPL-4562-520E operates only from -40°C to 85°C, which does not cover the full -55°C to 100°C range of PS8601L. This part is unsuitable for applications requiring operation below -40°C or above 85°C. Use Renesas PS8501L series parts or onsemi 6N136SDVM for full temperature range coverage.

Q: What is the significance of the turn-on/turn-off time differences between PS8601L (500ns/300ns) and PS8501L3-AX (220ns/350ns)?

A: PS8501L3-AX exhibits faster turn-on time (220ns vs. 500ns) but slightly slower turn-off time (350ns vs. 300ns). These timing differences may affect circuit performance in high-speed switching applications. Applications sensitive to turn-on delay benefit from PS8501L3-AX; applications sensitive to turn-off delay should evaluate the impact. For most standard isolation applications, these differences are not critical.

Q: Can 6N136-X017T be used in place of PS8601L?

A: 6N136-X017T provides functional substitution with 5300Vrms isolation (exceeding the 5000Vrms requirement) and faster switching times. However, the 15V maximum output voltage is significantly lower than PS8601L's 35V specification. This part is suitable only for applications operating below 15V output voltage. The higher isolation voltage provides design margin for demanding isolation applications within this voltage constraint.

Q: What packaging format should I specify when ordering PS8501L3-AX?

A: PS8501L3-AX is supplied in Tube packaging. The supplier device package is 8-SMD with Gull Wing lead configuration, identical to PS8601L. Confirm tube quantity requirements with your supplier, as standard tube quantities may vary.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS compliant?

A: All active substitute parts listed (Renesas PS8501L series, onsemi 6N136SDVM, Broadcom HCPL-4562 series, and Vishay 6N136-X017T) are ROHS3 compliant. The original PS8601L is RoHS non-compliant. Substitution with any of these active parts provides RoHS compliance advantage for regulated applications.

Q: What is the inventory status of substitute parts?

A: PS8501L3-AX: 1388 pcs; PS8501L2-AX: 1894 pcs; PS8501L2-V-AX: 1583 pcs; PS8501L3-V-AX: 1066 pcs; 6N136SDVM: 1969 pcs; 6N136-X017T: 784 pcs; HCPL-4562-520E: 782 pcs; HCPL-4562-300E: 68968 pcs; HCPL-4562-500E: 6000 pcs. Renesas and onsemi parts offer strong availability for immediate procurement.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message