Vishay PTCEL17R Inrush Current Limiters
Vishay PTCEL17R radial PTC inrush current limiters — 120Ω and 60Ω energy-rated parts, not interchangeable NTCs.
PTCEL17R PTC inrush limiters — resistance and energy are the suffix
These are circuit-protection PTCs, not board temperature sensors. 121NBE and 600MBE are different R and energy ratings.
PTCEL17R is a Vishay PTCEL radial inrush-current limiter prefix, not a generic NTC and not a single SKU. The two lines on this page are PTCEL17R121NBE (120Ω ±30%, AEC-Q200, radial bulk) and PTCEL17R600MBE (60Ω, 625V / 240J class, radial leaded). They share a through-hole disc outline and a PTC trip behavior; they do not share resistance or energy rating.
Use a PTCEL part to limit inrush into bulk capacitors or to protect a load, then return to a low resistance after cooldown. That is a different job from the NTCS0402E chip NTCs. Swapping 121NBE for 600MBE changes cold resistance, trip energy, and withstand voltage — recalculate inrush and I²t; do not treat the prefix as drop-in.
Compare the two orderables here, then RFQ the full suffix. If a harness or PSU only says “PTCEL17R”, send the existing body marking or a photo so we can tell 120Ω from 60Ω before quoting.
Key Features
- PTC inrush / overload limiterThese are energy-rated PTCs for inrush, not 0402 temperature-sense NTCs.
- Two resistance / energy bins121NBE is 120Ω ±30%; 600MBE is 60Ω with a 625V / 240J listing.
- Radial through-hole packageBoth are 2-pin radial leaded. Lead spacing and disc diameter still need a drawing check.
- AEC-Q200 on the 121NBE linePTCEL17R121NBE is listed automotive AEC-Q200. Do not assume 600MBE carries the same qualification.
Target Applications
- AC or DC inrush limiting into bulk capacitors
- Load and overload protection in power supplies
- Automotive and industrial inputs where AEC-Q200 is required (121NBE)
- Field replacement of a marked PTCEL17R disc
Ordering Variants
Compare 2 PTCEL17R part numbers by package, electrical parameters, lifecycle, and availability. Use RFQ for stock and lead-time confirmation.
| Part Number | Description | Manufacturer | Lifecycle | RoHS | Availability | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PTCEL17R121NBE | Thermistor PTC 120 Ohm 30% 2-Pin Radial Bulk Automotive AEC-Q200 | Vishay | Active | Compliant | In Stock | |
| PTCEL17R600MBE | PTC Thermistor, 625V, 240J, 60ohm, Through Hole Mount, RADIAL LEADED | Vishay | Active | Compliant | In Stock |
Ordering Code Differences
How suffixes on PTCEL17R map to package, grade, and reel options.
PTCEL17R + resistance token + grade. The two suffixes on this page are different electrical parts.
121NBE — 120Ω, 30% tolerance, radial bulk, listed AEC-Q200. Use when the design calls for the 120Ω PTCEL disc.
600MBE — 60Ω, 625V / 240J class, radial leaded. Higher energy / voltage listing; lower cold resistance than 121NBE.
Do not BOM only PTCEL17R. Inrush calculations need the exact R and energy rating from the Vishay PTCEL datasheet.
How to Choose the Right PTCEL17R Sensors
Do not treat this as an NTC sensor
PTCEL17R is an inrush / overload PTC. A chip NTC such as NTCS0402E3473FXT is a different component class.
Match cold resistance
120Ω (121NBE) versus 60Ω (600MBE) changes inrush peak. Recalculate before swapping.
Match energy and voltage
600MBE is listed at 625V / 240J. Confirm trip energy and withstand against your capacitor bank and line voltage.
Match qualification if the BOM is automotive
121NBE is listed AEC-Q200. Do not assume the other suffix carries the same grade.
Technical Specifications
Core parameters for PTCEL17R product family
Identity
Electrical
Mechanical
Source PTCEL17R with Octatronics
Request stock confirmation, lead time, date code, and pricing for all 2 ordering variants from Vishay. Our team supports active, EOL, and hard-to-find component sourcing.
- Original manufacturer parts with traceability options
- BOM upload and multi-line RFQ support
- Package, grade, and compliance verification
Frequently Asked Questions
Common technical questions about the PTCEL17R product family.