RFS-16V101MH3#5 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The RFS-16V101MH3#5 is a 100 µF, 16 V aluminum electrolytic capacitor in radial, can package manufactured by Elna America as part of the RFS/SILMIC II series. This component is rated for 1000 hours at 85°C and is designed for audio applications with a ripple current capability of 215 mA at 120 Hz.

The RFS-16V101MH3#5 has reached obsolete product status. Locating equivalent or substitute components is necessary to support ongoing maintenance, repair, and legacy system requirements. Substitute parts must maintain electrical compatibility while meeting the same mechanical and thermal specifications.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value	Unit
Capacitance	100	µF
Voltage - Rated	16	V
Tolerance	±20%	—
Lifetime @ Temperature	1000 Hrs @ 85°C	—
Operating Temperature Range	-40°C ~ 85°C	—
Ripple Current @ 120 Hz	215	mA
Lead Spacing	5.00	mm
Diameter	10.00	mm
Height - Seated (Max)	12.50	mm
Mounting Type	Through Hole	—
Package / Case	Radial, Can	—
Polarization	Polar	—
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant	—

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution of the RFS-16V101MH3#5 is determined by the following critical parameters:

Primary Compatibility Criteria:

Capacitance: 100 µF (exact match required)
Tolerance: ±20% (exact match required)
Voltage Rating: 16 V minimum (equal or higher voltage rating acceptable)
Lead Spacing: 5.00 mm (exact match required for PCB compatibility)
Diameter: 10.00 mm (exact match required for mechanical fit)
Height: 12.50 mm maximum (exact match or lower acceptable)
Mounting Type: Through Hole (exact match required)
Package: Radial, Can (exact match required)
Polarization: Polar (exact match required)

Secondary Compatibility Criteria:

Operating Temperature Range: -40°C ~ 85°C minimum
Ripple Current @ 120 Hz: 215 mA minimum
RoHS3 Compliance: Required

Substitute parts are grouped into two categories:

Category 1: Direct Voltage Rating Match (16 V) Parts with 16 V rating maintain identical electrical stress conditions and are preferred for direct replacement in existing designs.

Category 2: Elevated Voltage Rating (50 V, 63 V) Parts with higher voltage ratings provide electrical margin and are acceptable substitutes. Higher voltage ratings do not compromise circuit function in 16 V applications. These parts typically offer improved reliability metrics (longer lifetime at temperature, higher ripple current capability).

All substitute parts must maintain identical mechanical dimensions (lead spacing, diameter, height) to ensure PCB compatibility without layout modification.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Capacitance (µF)	Voltage (V)	Tolerance	Lifetime @ Temp	Operating Temp (°C)	Ripple Current @ 120 Hz (mA)	Lead Spacing (mm)	Diameter (mm)	Height (mm)	Product Status	RoHS3
RFS-16V101MH3#5	Elna America	100	16	±20%	1000 Hrs @ 85°C	-40 ~ 85	215	5.00	10.00	12.50	Obsolete	Yes
UFG1C101MPM	Nichicon	100	16	±20%	1000 Hrs @ 85°C	-40 ~ 85	128	3.50	8.00	13.00	Obsolete	Yes
UKW1C101MDD	Nichicon	100	16	±20%	2000 Hrs @ 85°C	-40 ~ 85	155	2.00	5.00	11.00	Obsolete	Yes
EEU-FC1H101	Panasonic Electronic Components	100	50	±20%	3000 Hrs @ 105°C	-55 ~ 105	399.75	5.00	10.00	12.50	Active	Yes
UFW1J101MPD	Nichicon	100	63	±20%	2000 Hrs @ 85°C	-40 ~ 85	300	5.00	10.00	12.50	Not For New Designs	Yes
UKW1J101MPD	Nichicon	100	63	±20%	2000 Hrs @ 85°C	-40 ~ 85	300	5.00	10.00	12.50	Not For New Designs	Yes
515D107M063CC6AE3	Vishay Sprague	100	63	±20%	2000 Hrs @ 85°C	-40 ~ 85	300	5.00	10.00	12.50	Obsolete	Yes
EEU-FC1J101	Panasonic Electronic Components	100	63	±20%	3000 Hrs @ 105°C	-55 ~ 105	347.8	5.00	10.00	12.50	Active	Yes
MAL215058101E3	Vishay Beyschlag/Draloric/BC Components	100	63	±20%	4000 Hrs @ 105°C	-55 ~ 105	273	5.00	10.00	13.00	Active	Yes
MAL215068101E3	Vishay Beyschlag/Draloric/BC Components	100	63	±20%	4000 Hrs @ 105°C	-55 ~ 105	273	5.00	10.00	13.00	Active	Yes
UVR1J101MPD	Nichicon	100	63	±20%	2000 Hrs @ 85°C	-40 ~ 85	300	5.00	10.00	12.50	Not For New Designs	Yes

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Preferred Substitutes (Mechanical and Electrical Compatibility Confirmed):

The following parts maintain identical mechanical dimensions (5.00 mm lead spacing, 10.00 mm diameter, 12.50 mm height) and are direct PCB replacements:

EEU-FC1H101 (Panasonic, 50 V rating) — Active product status. Provides elevated voltage margin with improved thermal performance (3000 Hrs @ 105°C). RoHS3 compliant. Recommended for new procurement and long-term availability.
UFW1J101MPD (Nichicon, 63 V rating) — Not For New Designs status. Meets all mechanical and electrical requirements. Higher voltage rating provides operational margin.
UKW1J101MPD (Nichicon, 63 V rating) — Not For New Designs status. Identical specifications to UFW1J101MPD. Meets all mechanical and electrical requirements.
515D107M063CC6AE3 (Vishay Sprague, 63 V rating) — Obsolete product status. Meets all mechanical and electrical requirements. Limited availability.
EEU-FC1J101 (Panasonic, 63 V rating) — Active product status. Provides elevated voltage margin with improved thermal performance (3000 Hrs @ 105°C). RoHS3 compliant. Recommended for new procurement and long-term availability.
MAL215068101E3 (Vishay Beyschlag/Draloric/BC Components, 63 V rating) — Active product status. Provides elevated voltage margin with superior thermal performance (4000 Hrs @ 105°C). Height is 13.00 mm (0.50 mm taller than original). RoHS3 compliant. Acceptable if PCB clearance permits.
MAL215058101E3 (Vishay Beyschlag/Draloric/BC Components, 63 V rating) — Active product status. Provides elevated voltage margin with superior thermal performance (4000 Hrs @ 105°C). Height is 13.00 mm (0.50 mm taller than original). RoHS3 compliant. Acceptable if PCB clearance permits.
UVR1J101MPD (Nichicon, 63 V rating) — Not For New Designs status. Meets all mechanical and electrical requirements. Higher voltage rating provides operational margin.

Non-Compatible Alternatives (Mechanical Incompatibility):

The following parts do not maintain identical mechanical dimensions and require PCB layout modification:

UFG1C101MPM (Nichicon, 16 V) — Lead spacing 3.50 mm, diameter 8.00 mm, height 13.00 mm. Mechanical incompatibility.
UKW1C101MDD (Nichicon, 16 V) — Lead spacing 2.00 mm, diameter 5.00 mm, height 11.00 mm. Mechanical incompatibility.

Selection Priority:

For new designs and long-term support, select from active product status parts: EEU-FC1H101, EEU-FC1J101, MAL215068101E3, or MAL215058101E3. These parts offer improved reliability metrics and confirmed ongoing availability.

For legacy system maintenance requiring exact mechanical fit without PCB modification, select from parts with identical dimensions: EEU-FC1H101, UFW1J101MPD, UKW1J101MPD, 515D107M063CC6AE3, EEU-FC1J101, or UVR1J101MPD.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use a 50 V or 63 V rated capacitor in place of the 16 V RFS-16V101MH3#5?

A: Yes. Higher voltage ratings are acceptable substitutes in 16 V applications. The circuit operates at 16 V regardless of the capacitor's voltage rating. A 50 V or 63 V capacitor experiences lower electrical stress and typically offers improved reliability. No circuit modification is required.

Q: What is the difference between parts marked "Not For New Designs" and "Active" status?

A: "Active" status indicates the manufacturer continues production and supports long-term availability. "Not For New Designs" indicates the manufacturer has discontinued active promotion but may continue limited production. For new designs, select active status parts. For legacy system maintenance, either status is acceptable if the part is in stock.

Q: Why do some substitute parts have a height of 13.00 mm instead of 12.50 mm?

A: MAL215058101E3 and MAL215068101E3 are 0.50 mm taller than the original RFS-16V101MH3#5. These parts are mechanically compatible only if the PCB has sufficient vertical clearance above the capacitor location. Verify clearance before selection.

Q: Are all substitute parts RoHS3 compliant?

A: Yes. All substitute parts listed in this document are RoHS3 compliant, matching the compliance status of the original RFS-16V101MH3#5.

Q: What is the significance of ripple current ratings?

A: Ripple current rating indicates the maximum AC current the capacitor can handle at a specified frequency (typically 120 Hz or 100 kHz). Higher ripple current capability provides operational margin. The original RFS-16V101MH3#5 is rated for 215 mA @ 120 Hz. All listed substitutes meet or exceed this specification.

Q: Can I substitute UFG1C101MPM or UKW1C101MDD for the RFS-16V101MH3#5?

A: No. These parts have different lead spacing and physical dimensions. They are not direct PCB replacements and require circuit board layout modification. Use only parts with identical lead spacing (5.00 mm), diameter (10.00 mm), and compatible height (≤12.50 mm or ≤13.00 mm with clearance verification).

Q: Which substitute part offers the best long-term reliability?

A: MAL215068101E3 and MAL215058101E3 offer the longest rated lifetime: 4000 hours at 105°C. EEU-FC1H101 and EEU-FC1J101 offer 3000 hours at 105°C. These extended lifetimes provide superior reliability compared to the original 1000 hours at 85°C specification.

Q: Are there any certifications beyond RoHS3 that I should consider?

A: EEU-FC1H101, EEU-FC1J101, MAL215058101E3, and MAL215068101E3 carry AEC-Q200 automotive qualification. This certification indicates compliance with automotive industry reliability and quality standards. These parts are suitable for automotive and high-reliability applications.

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