RL 4A Equivalent & Substitute Parts – Diodes, Rectifiers Reference

Part Overview

The RL 4A (Sanken Electric USA Inc.) is a general-purpose, standard recovery rectifier diode, specified for 600 V maximum DC reverse voltage and 3A average rectified current, in an axial through-hole package. It features fast recovery (50 ns), RoHS compliance, and a maximum forward voltage of 1.5 V at 3 A. RL 4A is marked with an obsolete product status, making it necessary to identify suitable equivalent or substitute diodes with matching electrical and mechanical parameters for new designs, repairs, or to ensure long-term maintenance support where this part was originally specified.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	RL 4A
Category	Diodes, Rectifiers
Voltage - DC Reverse (Vr) (Max)	600 V
Current - Average Rectified (Io)	3A
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If	1.5 V @ 3 A
Speed	Fast Recovery =< 500ns, > 200mA (Io)
Reverse Recovery Time (trr)	50 ns
Current - Reverse Leakage @ Vr	50 µA @ 600 V
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Package / Case	Axial
Operating Temperature - Junction	-40°C ~ 150°C
RoHS Status	RoHS Compliant
Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)	1 (Unlimited)
Product Status	Obsolete

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the RL 4A diode are determined exclusively by matching the following key parameters:

Voltage - DC Reverse (Vr) (Max)
Current - Average Rectified (Io)
Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If
Speed (Standard/Fast Recovery, trr)
Mounting Type (Through Hole)
Package / Case (Axial form) Differences in reverse leakage, recovery times, and minor package variants (e.g., DO-201AD, DO-27, B Axial, etc.) are within the comparative and allowable range for this component category. Compliance parameters such as RoHS status and inventory availability are also considered where specified.

Parameter Comparison

Manufacturer Part Number	Manufacturer	Voltage - DC Reverse (Vr) (Max)	Current - Average Rectified (Io)	Voltage - Forward (Vf) (Max) @ If	Speed / trr	Current - Reverse Leakage @ Vr	Mounting Type	Package / Case	Operating Temperature - Junction	RoHS Status	MSL	Product Status
RL 4A	Sanken Electric USA Inc.	600 V	3A	1.5 V @ 3 A	Fast Recovery, 50 ns	50 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	Axial	-40°C ~ 150°C	RoHS Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Obsolete
1N5190	Microchip Technology	600 V	3A	1.5 V @ 9 A	Fast Recovery, 400 ns	2 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	B, Axial	-65°C ~ 175°C	RoHS non-compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
1N5406-E3/54	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.2 V @ 3 A	Standard Recovery >500 ns	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-50°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	Not Applicable	Active
1N5406-E3/73	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.2 V @ 3 A	Standard Recovery >500 ns	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-50°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
1N5406G	SMC Diode Solutions	600 V	3A	1.1 V @ 3 A	Standard Recovery >500 ns	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-65°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
1N5406RLG	onsemi	600 V	3A	1 V @ 3 A	Standard Recovery >500 ns	10 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AA, DO-27, Axial	-65°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	Not Applicable	Not For New Designs
1N5420	Microchip Technology	600 V	3A	1.5 V @ 9 A	Fast Recovery, 400 ns	1 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	B, Axial	-65°C ~ 175°C	RoHS non-compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
31GF6-E3/54	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.6 V @ 3 A	Fast Recovery, 30 ns	20 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-40°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
BY253P-E3/54	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.1 V @ 3 A	Standard Recovery, 3 µs	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-55°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
GI506-E3/54	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.1 V @ 9.4 A	Standard Recovery, 2 µs	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-50°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
GP30J-E3/54	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.1 V @ 3 A	Standard Recovery, 5 µs	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-65°C ~ 175°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
GP30J-E3/73	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.1 V @ 3 A	Standard Recovery, 5 µs	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-65°C ~ 175°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
HER306GT-G	Comchip Technology	600 V	3A	1.3 V @ 3 A	Fast Recovery, 75 ns	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AA, DO-27, Axial	-55°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
RGP30J-E3/54	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.3 V @ 3 A	Fast Recovery, 250 ns	5 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-65°C ~ 175°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
UF5406-E3/54	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.7 V @ 3 A	Fast Recovery, 75 ns	10 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-55°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active
UF5406-E3/73	Vishay	600 V	3A	1.7 V @ 3 A	Fast Recovery, 75 ns	10 µA @ 600 V	Through Hole	DO-201AD, Axial	-55°C ~ 150°C	ROHS3 Compliant	1 (Unlimited)	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

When selecting a substitute for RL 4A, the product status (Obsolete) makes alternative choices necessary for continued production or maintenance. Substitute parts are available that match or exceed the specified electrical parameters and package/case types. RoHS compliance varies among substitutes; only select RoHS-compliant parts where mandated by end-use requirements. Moisture Sensitivity Level (typically MSL 1 or Not Applicable) supports use across standard through-hole manufacturing and field maintenance. Product status for substitutes should be reviewed to avoid "Not For New Designs" where ongoing design continuity is required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What determines if a diode can substitute for RL 4A?
A: Substitution is based strictly on matching voltage rating (600 V), average rectified current (3A), speed/recovery time (≤500 ns for Fast Recovery), mounting type (Through Hole), and package/case style (Axial).

Q2: Are all listed substitute diodes RoHS-compliant?
A: No, RoHS status differs among substitute parts. Confirm RoHS status in the provided table for compliance with your application requirements.

Q3: Do all substitutes have the same recovery time?
A: No. While RL 4A specifies 50 ns (fast recovery), substitutes include both fast and standard recovery parts, with trr values given in the table. For applications requiring precise recovery time, use the trr value for selection.

Q4: Will the package differences (DO-201AD, DO-27, B Axial) affect form fit?
A: All packages are axial through-hole. Minor mechanical differences may exist, but are within standard axial lead form factors for the category.

Q5: Why is the RL 4A considered obsolete?
A: The RL 4A’s manufacturer lists it as obsolete. Continued use in new designs is not supported; direct substitutes are recommended for design continuity.

Q6: What inventory considerations apply to these substitutes?
A: Inventory levels are provided for reference. Choose substitutes marked as Active with reliable stock for ongoing production or extended repairs.

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