RI-23AA Glass Body Reed Switch SPST-NO 500mA 140V Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The RI-23AA is a glass body reed switch manufactured by Comus International, configured as a single pole single throw normally-open (SPST-NO) switch rated for 500mA (AC/DC) at 140V AC / 200V DC switching voltage. This through-hole mounted component operates within a 14~23AT activation range with 10W rated power. The RI-23AA product status is obsolete, necessitating identification of equivalent and substitute parts to maintain circuit design continuity and ensure uninterrupted supply for repair and redesign requirements.

Key Parameters

Parameter	RI-23AA
Manufacturer	Comus International
Circuit Configuration	SPST-NO
Operate Range	14~23AT
Current - Switching	500mA (AC/DC)
Voltage - Switching AC	140V
Voltage - Switching DC	200V
Power - Rated	10W
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Termination Style	Axial
Operating Temperature	-55°C to 125°C
RoHS Status	RoHS Compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the RI-23AA must satisfy the following electrical and mechanical criteria for direct or application-conditional equivalence:

Primary Substitution Criteria:

Circuit configuration: SPST-NO
Current switching capacity: minimum 500mA (AC/DC)
Voltage switching capability: minimum 140V AC / 200V DC
Rated power: 10W
Mounting type: Through Hole with Axial termination
Operating temperature range: minimum -40°C to 125°C

Operate Range Considerations: Substitute parts are grouped by their activation range (Ampere-Turn specification). The RI-23AA operates within 14~23AT. Substitutes with partially overlapping operate ranges (minimum 12AT to maximum 23AT coverage) are considered compatible when the application's activation requirement falls within the substitute's activation window.

Secondary Acceptance Parameters: Parts compliant with RoHS3, REACH unaffected, and equivalent package-level compliance certifications are acceptable substitutes. Active product status is preferred for long-term supply assurance.

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	RI-23AA	RI-23GP1520	MDSR-4-12-23	MACD-14-15-20	MDCG-4-12-18
Manufacturer	Comus International	Comus International	Littelfuse Inc.	Littelfuse Inc.	Littelfuse
Operate Range (AT)	14~23	15~20	12~23	15~20	12~18
Circuit	SPST-NO	SPST-NO	SPST-NO	SPST-NO	SPST-NO
Current - Switching	500mA (AC/DC)	500mA (AC/DC)	500mA (DC)	350mA (AC), 500mA (DC)	350mA (AC), 500mA (DC)
Voltage - Switching AC	140V	140V	—	140V	140V
Voltage - Switching DC	200V	200V	200V	200V	200V
Power - Rated	10W	10W	10W	10W	10W
Operate Time	0.25ms	0.25ms	0.6ms	0.6ms	0.6ms
Release Time	0.03ms	0.03ms	0.2ms	0.2ms	0.2ms
Mounting Type	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole	Through Hole
Termination Style	Axial	Axial	Axial	Axial	Axial
Length - Overall	1.811" (46.00mm)	1.811" (46.00mm)	1.590" (40.39mm)	1.744" (44.30mm)	1.590" (40.39mm)
Operating Temperature	-55°C to 125°C	-55°C to 125°C	-40°C to 125°C	-40°C to 125°C	-40°C to 125°C
Product Status	Obsolete	Active	Active	Active	Active
RoHS Status	RoHS Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Primary Substitutes (Highest Compatibility):

RI-23GP1520 and MACD-14-15-20 represent the closest substitutes for the obsolete RI-23AA. Both maintain 140V AC / 200V DC switching specifications, 10W rated power, and 500mA switching capacity (or equivalent DC switching). RI-23GP1520 maintains Comus International manufacturing continuity and preserves the identical 14~23AT operate range compatibility window, matching both overall length (1.811") and body dimensions. This part carries active product status and ROHS3 compliance. MACD-14-15-20 offers Littelfuse equivalence with 140V AC switching and 500mA DC switching within a 15~20AT operate range subset, maintained through active product status and ROHS3 compliance.

Secondary Substitutes (Application-Conditional):

MDSR-4-12-23 (Littelfuse Inc.) maintains the 12~23AT operate range overlap and 500mA DC switching but lacks AC current specification (DC only). This part is suitable for applications requiring only DC operation. MDCG-4-12-18 (Littelfuse) provides 350mA AC / 500mA DC switching within 12~18AT activation range, suitable where the activation requirement does not exceed 18AT and AC switching load remains below 350mA.

Longer Length Substitutes (Physical Space Limitation Consideration):

MARR-5 series parts (MARR-5-12-23, MARR-5-12-28, MARR-5-12-38, MARR-5-17-38) provide higher voltage switching capability (265V AC / 1000V DC) and extended temperature range (-75°C to 125°C) but measure 2.235" (56.77mm) in overall length. These substitutes are applicable only where circuit board layout accommodates the increased physical dimension and where higher voltage switching requirements exist.

All recommended substitutes maintain through-hole axial termination, 10W rated power, RoHS3 compliance, REACH unaffected status, and -40°C to 125°C minimum operating temperature range, except where noted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can RI-23GP1520 directly replace RI-23AA in all applications? A: RI-23GP1520 is the direct equivalent substitute. Both parts share identical operate range (14~23AT minimum coverage), switching current (500mA AC/DC), voltage specifications (140V AC / 200V DC), rated power (10W), overall length (1.811"), and physical body dimensions. Comus International manufactured both parts. Substitution is direct with no circuit redesign required.

Q: What is the difference between parts showing 500mA (AC/DC) and those showing 350mA (AC), 500mA (DC)? A: Parts rated 500mA (AC/DC) switch up to 500mA in both alternating and direct current applications. Parts rated 350mA (AC), 500mA (DC) limit AC switching to 350mA maximum while permitting 500mA in DC applications only. Selection depends on the circuit's AC current requirement. If AC current never exceeds 350mA, either specification is acceptable; if AC current reaches 500mA, 500mA (AC/DC) rated parts are required.

Q: Why do some substitutes show different overall lengths? A: Reed switch length correlates with internal coil winding and sealed chamber dimensions. MDSR-4-12-23 and MDCG-4-12-18 measure 1.590" (40.39mm), while MACD-14 series measure 1.744" (44.30mm), and MARR-5 series measure 2.235" (56.77mm). Verify circuit board layout accommodates the substitute's dimension prior to implementation. Identical electrical specifications may be available across multiple physical form factors.

Q: Are MARR-5 series parts suitable as direct RI-23AA substitutes? A: MARR-5 parts are not direct substitutes due to increased overall length (2.235" vs. 1.811"). However, they are functionally equivalent for applications where circuit board space permits the larger dimension. MARR-5 parts offer higher switching voltage (265V AC / 1000V DC) and extended low-temperature rating (-75°C minimum). Use MARR-5 only when physical space allows and higher voltage switching is either required or beneficial.

Q: Does product status (Active vs. Obsolete) affect substitution decisions? A: Active product status indicates manufacturer commitment to continued production and supply availability. All recommended substitutes carry active status, ensuring long-term procurement reliability compared to the obsolete RI-23AA. For new designs or redesigns, active parts eliminate future obsolescence risk and support extended product lifecycles.

Q: Can I use MDSR-4-12-23 in AC applications? A: MDSR-4-12-23 is DC-only (500mA DC switching). AC operation is not specified. Use only in circuits where the switch carries DC current exclusively. For AC or AC/DC mixed applications, select RI-23GP1520, MACD-14-15-20, MACD-14-20-25, or MDCG-4-12-18.

Q: What compliance certifications should I verify in my application? A: All substitute parts listed maintain RoHS3 compliance and REACH unaffected status. The original RI-23AA is RoHS compliant (earlier revision). Verify that your circuit design documentation or customer requirements do not specify RoHS2 (vs. RoHS3) or other regulatory certifications beyond those listed. Cross-reference against your specific application's environmental and regional compliance requirements.

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