Equivalent & Substitute Parts for S506-5-R Glass Cartridge Fuse

Part Overview

The S506-5-R is a 5 A, 250 V AC/DC slow blow glass cartridge fuse manufactured by Eaton Electronics Division. This component is designed for use in 5mm x 20mm fuse holders and provides overcurrent protection in electrical circuits. The part maintains active product status with 818 units in current inventory. Equivalent and substitute parts are identified to support procurement flexibility, supply chain continuity, and design standardization across multiple manufacturers while maintaining identical electrical and mechanical performance characteristics.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Current Rating	5 A
Voltage Rating (AC)	250 V
Fuse Type	Cartridge, Glass
Response Time	Slow Blow
Package / Case	5mm x 20mm
Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage	50 A
Mounting Type	Requires Holder
RoHS Status	ROHS3 Compliant

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the S506-5-R is determined by strict equivalence across the following critical parameters: current rating (5 A), voltage rating (250 V AC), fuse type (cartridge glass), response time (slow blow), physical package dimensions (5mm x 20mm), breaking capacity (50 A), and mounting requirement (holder-based installation). All identified substitute parts match these core electrical and mechanical specifications. Substitutes are grouped into two categories: direct manufacturer equivalents from Eaton Electronics Division and parametric equivalents from alternative manufacturers (Littelfuse Inc. and SCHURTER Inc.). Parametric equivalents maintain identical functional performance while differing in melting I²t characteristics, DC cold resistance, or approval agency certifications. These variations do not affect interchangeability within the specified 5mm x 20mm holder form factor.

Parameter Comparison

Part Number	Manufacturer	Series	Current (A)	Voltage (V AC)	Response Time	Package	Breaking Capacity (A)	Melting I²t	DC Cold Resistance (Ohms)	RoHS Status
S506-5-R	Eaton	S506	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	142.5	0.00985	ROHS3
BK/S506-5-R	Eaton	S506	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	142.5	0.00985	ROHS3
BK/GDC-5A	Eaton	GDC	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	142.5	0.00985	ROHS3
GDC-5A	Eaton	GDC	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	142.5	0.00985	ROHS3
0218005.MXP	Littelfuse	218	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	111	0.0104	ROHS3
0213005.MXP	Littelfuse	213	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	314	0.0116	ROHS3
0034.3124	SCHURTER	FST 5x20	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	102	—	ROHS3
0034.5624.11	SCHURTER	SMD-FST	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	102	—	ROHS3
0213005.MXBP	Littelfuse	213	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	314	0.0116	ROHS3
0213005.TXP	Littelfuse	213	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	314	0.0116	ROHS3
0218005.HXP	Littelfuse	218	5	250	Slow Blow	5x20mm	50	111	0.0104	ROHS3

Engineering Selection Recommendations

Direct Manufacturer Equivalents (Eaton Electronics Division)

The parts BK/S506-5-R, BK/GDC-5A, and GDC-5A are direct equivalents manufactured by Eaton and share identical electrical characteristics, melting I²t values (142.5), and DC cold resistance (0.00985 Ohms) with the primary S506-5-R part. These components carry the same approval agencies (BSI, CCC, CSA, CURUS, IMQ, PSE/JET, SEMKO, VDE) and maintain ROHS3 compliance. BK/S506-5-R offers the highest inventory availability (2707 units) among Eaton products. Selection of Eaton equivalents is appropriate when supply chain standardization on a single manufacturer is required or when existing certification documentation references Eaton products.

Littelfuse Parametric Equivalents

The Littelfuse 218 series (0218005.MXP, 0218005.HXP) and 213 series (0213005.MXP, 0213005.MXBP, 0213005.TXP) maintain the required 5 A, 250 V, slow blow characteristics and 5mm x 20mm form factor. The 218 series exhibits a melting I²t of 111 (lower than S506-5-R at 142.5), while the 213 series exhibits a melting I²t of 314 (higher than S506-5-R). Both series are ROHS3 compliant and carry comprehensive approval certifications (CCC, CE, CSA, PSE, SEMKO, UL, VDE). The 0218005.MXP variant offers the largest inventory (42700 units) among all substitute options. Littelfuse parts are suitable for applications where multi-source qualification is established or when Littelfuse certifications align with end-use requirements.

SCHURTER Parametric Equivalents

The SCHURTER FST 5x20 series (0034.3124) and SMD-FST series (0034.5624.11) provide parametric equivalence with melting I²t values of 102, lower than the S506-5-R baseline. Both maintain 5 A, 250 V, slow blow operation in the 5mm x 20mm package with 50 A breaking capacity and ROHS3 compliance. Approval certifications include CCC, cURus, PSE/JET, and VDE. SCHURTER parts are appropriate for applications where European certification emphasis (VDE) is prioritized or when SCHURTER qualification is pre-established in design documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can S506-5-R be directly replaced with BK/S506-5-R or GDC-5A?

A: Yes. BK/S506-5-R and GDC-5A are direct Eaton equivalents with identical current rating (5 A), voltage rating (250 V), response time (slow blow), package dimensions (5mm x 20mm), breaking capacity (50 A), and melting I²t (142.5). All three parts require the same 5mm x 20mm fuse holder and carry equivalent approval certifications.

Q: What is the difference between Littelfuse 218 and 213 series fuses?

A: Both series maintain 5 A, 250 V, slow blow operation in the 5mm x 20mm package. The primary difference is melting I²t: the 218 series has a melting I²t of 111, while the 213 series has a melting I²t of 314. The S506-5-R baseline melting I²t is 142.5. Selection between these series depends on circuit-specific thermal response requirements and application-level qualification.

Q: Are all substitute parts ROHS3 compliant?

A: Yes. All identified substitute parts (Eaton S506 series, Eaton GDC series, Littelfuse 213 and 218 series, and SCHURTER FST and SMD-FST series) maintain ROHS3 compliance status.

Q: Do substitute parts fit the same 5mm x 20mm fuse holder?

A: Yes. All substitute parts are specified with a 5mm x 20mm package / case dimension and require a standard 5mm x 20mm fuse holder. Physical interchangeability is confirmed across all listed alternatives.

Q: Which substitute part has the highest inventory availability?

A: The Littelfuse 0218005.MXP (218 series) offers the highest inventory with 42700 units in stock, followed by BK/S506-5-R (Eaton) with 2707 units.

Q: Can I use a substitute part with a different melting I²t value?

A: Melting I²t differences indicate variations in thermal response characteristics. Substitution with different melting I²t values is permissible only when the application circuit design and thermal protection requirements accommodate the alternative response profile. The S506-5-R baseline melting I²t is 142.5; Littelfuse 218 series is 111 (faster response), and Littelfuse 213 series is 314 (slower response).

Q: What approval certifications are common across all substitute parts?

A: CCC and VDE certifications are present across all substitute options. Additional certifications vary by manufacturer: Eaton parts include BSI, CSA, CURUS, IMQ, PSE/JET, and SEMKO; Littelfuse parts include CE, CSA, K-MARK, PSE, SEMKO, UL, and VDE; SCHURTER parts include cURus and PSE/JET.

Q: Is DC cold resistance a critical parameter for substitution?

A: DC cold resistance values are provided for reference but do not prevent substitution. The S506-5-R has 0.00985 Ohms; Littelfuse parts range from 0.0104 to 0.0116 Ohms. These minor variations do not affect functional interchangeability within the specified 5mm x 20mm holder application.

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