There isn’t a single part of your supply chain that isn’t important. All of your components have to be available and compatible, otherwise, you won’t have a final product. But the same electronic components you’ve planned for or used before won’t always be available. That’s why you need to know how to find alternative electronic components from different suppliers or manufacturers that are capable of doing the same job.
Partlocator.com is one of the best alternate component finders to start with. We recommend searching by part number and submitting a request for a quote (RFQ) on the cost and timeline of your components.
Here, we’ll cover several considerations to help you find the highest quality alternative electronic components with the shortest lead times at the best possible prices.
Types Of Alternative Electronic Components
There are three primary ways many companies will replace components. These are drop-in replacement, functional equivalent, and alternative.
Drop-in Replacement Electronic Components
Drop-in replacements are pre-approved components with the same electrical characteristics, form factor, pinout, and PCB footprint as the original component. They are interchangeable with the required hardware without configurations or design changes to help maintain a resilient supply chain.
When searching through an alternate component finder, prioritize drop-in replacements if they are within your budget and satisfy other considerations.
Functional Equivalent Electronic Components
Functional equivalents may not have identical specifications as the original but may perform the same function as the original electronic components. Though they might also have slightly different electrical or operational properties, they should be equal to or better than the original in performance. Sometimes, these components are a variant of the original Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) of the original electronic component.
If you’re at the point of determining how best to find an alternative electronic component and don’t have a drop-in replacement ready, you’re probably at this stage. Functional equivalents may not be quite as ideal, because they may require additional design changes to the final product.
Alternative Electronic Components
Alternative components have the same function as the required electronic component but may have different specifications, footprints, and other features from the original. These parts can be configured for the required function, but often require more major modifications to the final build.
Factors To Consider When Looking For Alternative Electronic Components
Functionality
The component must be compatible with other parts in the system and function with the required performance metrics in terms of speed, accuracy, power consumption, and more, as expected.
Cost Effectiveness
Using the selected alternative electronic component should be cheaper than or equal to the price of using the original to ensure low prices over the product’s lifecycle.
Adaptability
Adaptability involves multiple factors, like regulatory compliance and environmental conditions. The component must function in the environment of its intended use. Consider temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions to ensure its longevity and proper functioning.
The component should also meet the regulatory requirements or allow adaptive modifications to become compliant.
Availability
The component must also be available across various distributors and alternate component finder databases to ensure a steady flow of parts without resorting to other alternatives during supply chain disruptions.
How to Find the Best Alternative Electronic Components
The fastest way to find the best replacement components is through a broker like Partlocator.com. Here, you can search by part number to find an exact replacement or a close functional equivalent. Part Locator has access to the inventories of thousands of suppliers to help you find the electronic components you’re looking for at the lowest cost and with the shortest lead times.
Prioritize drop-in replacements where possible. If you cannot find any, consider the functional equivalents. Select components and compare them by their attributes, such as the MPN, product line name, manufacturer name, and specifications.
Talk to an Electronic Component Expert
If you can’t find the exact part you’re looking for or you’re not certain whether it will be a suitable replacement, we recommend contacting an electronic component broker like us here at Part Locator. You can also ask your distributor whether they have alternatives already part of the supply chain. You may then use those to compare and choose the best choice for your product.
Part Locator can guide you in how to find the best alternative electronic components. Contact us today, and we will provide you with a quote and delivery timeline, usually within 20 minutes.
