How to Find Alternative Electronic Components for PCB Design

June 21, 2024

Cadence PCB Solutions

Key Takeaways

Tools like Sourceability’s Sourcengine, integrated with OrCAD X, offer a robust solution for identifying and comparing alternative electronic components and addressing cost, supply issues, and compatibility.
Manufacturer websites are crucial for finding replacements for obsolete or end-of-life components. They offer lists of alternative and equivalent parts.
Specialized services provide access to discontinued parts, leveraging extensive inventories and global supply networks to find necessary replacements.

Live BOM, natively integrated into OrCAD X, can help you find alternative electronic components.

When designing or updating electronic systems, finding alternative components is crucial for ensuring availability, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. This article explains how to find alternative electronic components, highlighting various tools and techniques to streamline the process.

How to Find Alternative Electronic Components

Strategy	Tips
Component search engine	Use a component search tool like Sourceability’s Sourcengine to compare costs, identify supply chain issues, and more. Sourcengine is integrated with OrCAD X for efficient component sourcing.
Consult manufacturer resources	Check component manufacturer websites for lists of alternative components. These resources are helpful for finding replacements for obsolete components.
Explore obsolete component services	Use specialized services that source discontinued parts, which have an extensive inventory and access to a global supply network.
Collaborate with suppliers	Seek advice and collaborate with suppliers for insights and recommendations. Use an electronic component equivalent finder to quickly check global stock availability.
Use parametric searches	Utilize parametric search tools on electronic component distributor websites to filter components based on specific parameters, such as voltage range and package type. This helps you find alternative electronic components with similar specifications.

When Should You Use Alternative Electronic Components?

There are a couple of instances that may call for an alternative component:

Reviving an old design may involve updating the component set and removing obsolete or end-of-life (EOL) components.
In a new design, an in-demand component might become unavailable, requiring you to quickly find a replacement.
In new designs, a component might suddenly be classified as Not Recommended for New Designs (NRND) as a new replacement becomes available.

Alternatives, Equivalents, and Drop-In Replacements

Equivalent component	Alternative component	Drop-in replacement
A component with the same or nearly the same electrical specifications as the missing or out-of-stock component. It may be an MPN variant, come in a different package, or have additional features. It could be from the same manufacturer, an upgrade, or have added/altered features.	A component that may not have the same electrical specifications, footprint, symbol, or features as the desired component, but can be configured to perform the required functions in the design. It is a replacement part with different specifications or features that can still fulfill the needed function.	A component with the same symbols, PCB footprint, and pinout as the unavailable component. It could be an equivalent (usually a variant MPN) or an alternative.

How to Find Alternative Electronic Components With a Component Source Engine

The easiest way to find equivalent electronic components is by using an electronic components search engine. These search engines allow you to locate components by manufacturer name, MPN, product line name, component type, and specifications. Follow this strategy for best results:

Look for drop-in replacements first.
If drop-in replacements are unavailable, search for variants using the MPN of the unavailable component.
If no variants exist, search for equivalents based on electrical ratings and component type.
As a last resort, conduct a general search for the type of component to find alternatives.

Parts search engines will show alternatives from other manufacturers. Tools like Live BOM, natively integrated into OrCAD X, are useful for comparing costs, identifying supply chain issues, and more. Sourcengine is natively integrated with OrCAD X, enhancing the efficiency of finding and evaluating component alternatives.

Live BOM Helps Engineers Find Alternative Electronic Components

Feature	Description	How It Helps You Find Alternative Electronic Components
Alternative part suggestions	Sourcengine provides alternate parts that match the form, fit, and function of high-risk components. This includes a detailed comparison of the original component's specifications with suggested alternatives, considering factors such as electrical characteristics, package type, compliance, availability, and pricing.	Helps engineers quickly find suitable alternative components that can replace high-risk parts in the design, reducing effort required to manually search for replacements. Ensures compatibility with the existing design, and also helps in verifying the environmental compliance of the alternatives and their adherence to industry standards.
BOM health score	The BOM health score evaluates the overall health of the BOM based on environmental risk, lifecycle, multi-source availability, and inventory risk status.	Provides a quick overview of the BOM risk level, helping engineers focus on high-risk components and find alternatives to improve the BOM health and reduce supply chain risks.
Real-time data updates	Live BOM integrates with Datalynq from Sourcengine to provide real-time data, including market availability, lifecycle status, compliance, risk scores, and pricing information for over 1 billion parts.	Enables design engineers to quickly identify components that are at high risk, end-of-life (EOL), or have long lead times, allowing them to find and evaluate alternative components with better availability and lower risk.
Supply risk scores	The supply risk section shows design risk and market availability scores for components, indicating their availability from multiple vendors and lead times.	Enables engineers to assess the risk of using a particular component and identify lower-risk alternatives that are more readily available and have better lead times, thus improving the reliability of the supply chain.
Component filters	Live BOM features tiles that filter components based on various criteria, such as unmatched parts, unique parts, parts with defined MPNs, EOL parts, and parts without RoHS compliance.	Facilitates the identification of components that need replacement or attention, such as those without manufacturer part numbers (MPNs) or those that are not compliant with regulations, making it easier to find suitable alternatives.
Market intelligence scores	Live BOM provides market intelligence scores, helping engineers assess and reduce design risk by understanding market availability trends and whether components can be easily substituted.	Guides engineers in making informed decisions about component selection, ensuring they choose parts that are less likely to cause supply chain disruptions and can be easily replaced if necessary, thereby maintaining the stability and efficiency of the production process.
Detailed component properties	Selecting a component in Live BOM reveals detailed properties, including manufacturer information, lifecycle status, compliance, design risk, market availability, and pricing data.	Provides comprehensive information about each component, helping engineers evaluate potential alternatives by comparing detailed specifications and supply chain data, ensuring the chosen alternative meets design requirements.
Lifecycle distribution charts	The lifecycle distribution chart shows the status of parts in the BOM, indicating whether they are active, obsolete, or at risk.	Helps engineers quickly identify which components are nearing the end of their lifecycle or are already obsolete, prompting the search for alternatives to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the product design.

Discover firsthand how to find alternative electronic components using Live BOM, integrated with OrCAD X and Sourcengine functionalities. Sign up for a free trial of OrCAD X today and streamline your component sourcing!

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