Obsolete Capacitor Cross-Reference: Sprague, Mallory, Aerovox & Legacy Brands
Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 16 minutes
The capacitor says "Sprague 36D" on the label. Or maybe "Mallory CGS" or "Aerovox PRS." The manufacturer no longer exists — absorbed, merged, or shut down decades ago. Your equipment needs this exact capacitor, and searching the original part number returns nothing but dead links and empty distributor listings.
This is one of the most common challenges in industrial maintenance: finding replacements for capacitors made by companies that no longer exist. The good news is that nearly every obsolete capacitor has a modern equivalent — if you know where to look and what to match.
This guide provides cross-reference tables for the most commonly sought legacy capacitor brands, along with the strategies to find equivalents when the tables don't cover your specific part.
Understanding how the capacitor industry consolidated helps you trace a part number to its current equivalent.
| Original Brand | What Happened | Current Equivalent Source |
|---|
| Sprague Electric | Acquired by Vishay (1992) | Vishay Sprague (some lines), or cross-reference to CDE, Nichicon |
| Mallory | Capacitor division became Emerson & Cuming, later to various | Cross-reference to CDE, Nichicon, Nippon Chemi-Con |
| Aerovox | Bankrupt (2012), assets sold | Cross-reference to CDE, TDK EPCOS, Vishay |
| Philips Components | Became BC Components, then Vishay BC | Vishay |
| Sprague-Goodman | Variable capacitor line, still exists for trimmers | Sprague-Goodman (active for trimmers only) |
| Illinois Capacitor | Acquired by Cornell Dubilier (2019) | Cornell Dubilier (CDE) |
| Sangamo | Various acquisitions | Cross-reference to Vishay, CDE |
| Tansitor | Wet tantalum line | Cross-reference to Vishay, Eaton |
| Marcon | Became part of United Chemi-Con | Nippon Chemi-Con / United Chemi-Con |
| Elna | Active but reduced product line | Elna (limited), cross-reference to Nichicon, Rubycon |
| Evox-Rifa | Acquired by KEMET (2007), then Yageo (2020) | KEMET / Yageo |
| Arcotronics | Acquired by KEMET (2007), then Yageo (2020) | KEMET / Yageo |
| SBE (formerly Sprague Vitamin Q) | SBE Inc., then out of production | Cross-reference to CDE, WIMA, Vishay |
| ASC Capacitors | Closed (2017) | Cross-reference to CDE, TDK EPCOS |
| GE Capacitors | GE exited the business | Cross-reference to CDE, Vishay, TDK EPCOS |
Sprague Electric was one of America's premier capacitor manufacturers from the 1930s through 1992. Their part numbers are still found in military equipment, industrial drives, vintage audio, and telecommunications. See our interactive Sprague cross-reference table for specific part number equivalents.
| Sprague Series | Type | Typical Application | Modern Equivalent Series |
|---|
| 36D | Computer grade, screw terminal | UPS, VFDs, industrial power | CDE 381LR / 382LX, Nichicon LGU / LQR |
| 36DX | Extended life computer grade | Critical power systems | CDE 520C, Nichicon LQR |
| 39D | High-voltage can type | Transmitters, power supplies | CDE 500C, Nichicon LGN |
| 53D | Snap-in electrolytic | General industrial | CDE 380LX, Nichicon LGU snap-in |
| 515D | PCB mount, radial | Industrial controls, instruments | Nichicon LGU, Rubycon MXR |
| TVA / TE | Axial electrolytic | Vintage electronics, military | Nichicon TVX, Illinois/CDE axial |
| 32DR / 32DM | Miniature can type | Telecom, older instruments | CDE 381LR (small sizes), Nichicon snap-in |
| 672D | Motor start | Single-phase motors | CDE PSU, generic motor start |
| 86F | Motor run, oil filled | HVAC, pumps | CDEDERA, generic motor run |
| Sprague Series | Type | Modern Equivalent Series |
|---|
| Vitamin Q (160P/192P) | Paper-in-oil, premium audio | CDE 940C (film), WIMA MKP, Jupiter Condenser |
| Orange Drop (225P/715P) | Polyester/polypropylene film | CDE 715P (still available as CDE), Vishay MKT, WIMA |
| 730P | Polypropylene, high voltage | CDE 940C, WIMA FKP, TDK EPCOS MKP |
| 418P | AC motor run, metallized paper | CDE DCMC, generic metallized PP motor run |
| Sprague Series | Type | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| 150D | Solid tantalum, radial | KEMET T350, Vishay 150D (still Vishay Sprague) |
| 196D | Solid tantalum, dipped radial | KEMET T350, AVX TAJ |
| 293D | Wet tantalum, axial | Vishay 293D (limited), Eaton HV wet tantalum |
| 595D | Solid tantalum, SMD | KEMET T491/T494, AVX TAJ/TPS |
Note: Vishay still manufactures some Sprague tantalum lines under the "Vishay Sprague" name, including the 293D and 595D in limited configurations.
P.R. Mallory & Co. was a major American capacitor manufacturer. Their electrolytic capacitors were widely used in industrial equipment, HVAC, and consumer electronics from the 1940s through the 1990s.
| Mallory Series | Type | Typical Application | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| CGS | Computer grade, screw terminal | Industrial drives, UPS | CDE 381LR / 520C, Nichicon LGU / LQR |
| CG | Large can electrolytic | Power supplies | CDE 500C / 520C, Nichicon LGN |
| HC | High-capacitance snap-in | Power supplies, VFDs | CDE 380LX, Nichicon snap-in series |
| LP | Low-profile electrolytic | PCB mounting | Nichicon UHE, Panasonic FC |
| FP | Twist-lock can, multi-section | Vintage tube equipment | JJ Electronic, CE Manufacturing (vintage repro) |
| WP | Printed circuit radial | General electronics | Nichicon UVR, Panasonic EE, Rubycon YXF |
| TC | Tubular axial | Vintage electronics, military | Nichicon TVX, Sprague/Vishay axial |
| Mallory Series | Type | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| PSU | Motor start, plastic case | CDE PSU, generic motor start |
| STR | Motor start, round can | Generic motor start capacitor (match µF and voltage) |
| RUN | Motor run, oval | Generic motor run (match µF, voltage, and physical size) |
Aerovox was a leading manufacturer of power capacitors, motor capacitors, and industrial film capacitors. They went bankrupt in 2012, and their assets were sold. See our Aerovox cross-reference table for specific part number equivalents.
| Aerovox Series | Type | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| PRS | AC motor run, metallized PP | CDE DCMC, TDK EPCOS MKP series |
| 2779 | AC capacitor, heavy duty | TDK EPCOS MKK, Vishay PhaseCap |
| AGS /?"AGM | Power factor correction | TDK EPCOS PhaseCap, ABB CLMD, Vishay PhMKP |
| SXB | DC link film, high current | TDK EPCOS DC link, CDE 947C, Vishay MKP |
| SA | AC motor start | Generic motor start (match specifications) |
| Z73 | Motor run capacitor | Generic motor run (match µF, voltage, size) |
| Aerovox Series | Type | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| CGS | Computer grade | CDE 381LR / 520C, Nichicon LGU / LQR |
| EAF | Photoflash / high pulse | CDE 947C, Nichicon photoflash |
GE manufactured capacitors for their own equipment and for general sale. GE has exited the capacitor business, but millions of their capacitors remain in service. See our GE cross-reference table for specific part number equivalents.
| GE Part Number Pattern | Type | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| Z97F series (e.g., Z97F9001) | Motor run, oval | Generic motor run — match µF, voltage, dimensions |
| Z97F series (round) | Motor run, round | Generic motor run — match specifications |
| 97F series | Motor start | Generic motor start — match µF range and voltage |
| DIELEKTROL series | Power factor correction | TDK EPCOS, Vishay, or CDE PFC capacitors |
| GE Type | Application | Cross-Reference To |
|---|
| Power factor correction | Utility/industrial PFC banks | TDK EPCOS PhaseCap, ABB CLMD |
| Surge capacitors | Motor surge protection | CDE SCD/SCE, Vishay, EPCOS |
| DC filter | Drives and converters | CDE 947C, EPCOS DC link |
When your specific part number isn't in the tables above, follow this systematic approach:
From the capacitor label, datasheet, or equipment schematic, gather:
| Parameter | Where to Find | Why It Matters |
|---|
| Capacitance (µF) | Label, schematic | Must match within tolerance |
| Voltage rating | Label (WVDC, VAC) | Must meet or exceed |
| Temperature rating | Label (85°C, 105°C) | Must meet or exceed |
| Ripple current | Datasheet | Critical for power applications |
| ESR | Datasheet | Important for switching supplies, drives |
| Physical diameter | Measure | Must fit mounting |
| Physical height | Measure | Must fit enclosure |
| Terminal type | Visual | Must match (snap-in, screw, radial, axial) |
| Lead spacing | Measure | Must match PCB holes |
| If the capacitor is... | Type | Search for... |
|---|
| Cylindrical with +/- markings, wet | Aluminum electrolytic | Electrolytic equivalent by specs |
| Large can with screw terminals | Computer grade electrolytic | Computer grade / screw terminal series |
| Oval or round with µF and VAC | Motor run capacitor | Motor run by µF and voltage |
| Cylindrical with µF range | Motor start capacitor | Motor start by µF range and voltage |
| Small, no polarity markings | Film or ceramic | Film or ceramic by value and voltage |
| Color-coded or dot-coded | Mica or vintage ceramic | Silver mica or equivalent ceramic |
| Small bead or chip | Tantalum | Tantalum by µF, voltage, and package |
Sources in order of reliability:
-
Current manufacturer cross-reference tools:
- Cornell Dubilier: cde.com — Comprehensive electrolytic cross-ref
- Nichicon: Published cross-reference guides for Sprague, Mallory, and others
- Vishay: Inherits many Sprague/Philips lines directly
-
Distributor parametric search:
- Search by specifications (µF, voltage, temperature, package) rather than part number
- Filter by in-stock to find available options
-
Specialist distributors (like Specap):
- Maintain proprietary cross-reference databases
- Have experience with legacy parts and their modern equivalents
- Can source NOS when modern equivalents don't exist
-
Equipment manufacturer:
- May have published service bulletins with replacement part numbers
- Authorized service centers may have updated parts lists
Before installing an equivalent:
| Check | Acceptable | Not Acceptable |
|---|
| Capacitance | Within ±20% for electrolytic, ±10% for film | >20% deviation |
| Voltage | Equal or higher | Lower than original |
| Temperature | Equal or higher | Lower than original |
| ESR | Equal or lower | Significantly higher |
| Ripple current | Equal or higher | Lower than original |
| Physical size | Fits mounting location | Too large to fit |
| Terminal type | Matches exactly | Different terminals |
What's typically needed: Electrolytic capacitors (coupling, filter), and sometimes film types (tone circuits)
Special considerations:
- "Audiophile" replacements exist for some Sprague types (Orange Drop, Vitamin Q)
- Coupling capacitors are less critical for exact value — film upgrades often sound better
- Filter capacitors (power supply) need voltage and capacitance matching
- Multi-section twist-lock capacitors can be replaced with individual radials using a terminal strip
What's typically needed: DC bus computer grade capacitors, snubber film capacitors
Special considerations:
- Ripple current rating is as important as capacitance
- Physical dimensions must match the drive chassis
- Replace the entire bank, not individual capacitors
- CDE, Nichicon, and Nippon Chemi-Con cover nearly all industrial applications
What's typically needed: DC bus electrolytic capacitors, output filter capacitors
Special considerations:
- Same as VFD drives — ripple current and ESR matter
- Temperature rating affects life: always use 105°C if available
- Computer grade types are typically Nichicon, CDE, or Nippon Chemi-Con
What's typically needed: MIL-spec capacitors (QPL listed)
Special considerations:
- Must maintain MIL-spec qualification in some applications
- Vishay Sprague still manufactures some MIL-spec tantalum and electrolytic lines
- KEMET and AVX maintain MIL-spec tantalum production
- Exact MIL part number cross-reference may require DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) consultation
What's typically needed: Motor run capacitors, motor start capacitors, dual run capacitors
Special considerations:
- Generic motor capacitors can replace any brand as long as µF, voltage, and physical size match
- 440V AC rated capacitors can replace 370V AC (but not the reverse)
- Dual run capacitors can be replaced with two individual run capacitors
- Brand doesn't matter for motor capacitors — specifications matter
Some brands that people search for as "obsolete" are actually still manufacturing:
| Brand | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Cornell Dubilier (CDE) | Active | One of the largest US capacitor manufacturers |
| Nichicon | Active | Major Japanese electrolytic manufacturer |
| Nippon Chemi-Con | Active | Major Japanese electrolytic manufacturer |
| Rubycon | Active | Japanese electrolytic manufacturer |
| Panasonic | Active | Broad product line |
| KEMET | Active (now Yageo) | Broad line including former RIFA/Arcotronics |
| Vishay | Active | Includes former Sprague, Philips/BC lines |
| TDK | Active | Includes former EPCOS |
| Murata | Active | Primarily ceramic (MLCC) |
| Illinois Capacitor | Active (now CDE) | Branded products still available through CDE |
NOS capacitors from reputable sources can be reliable if properly stored and reformed before use. Electrolytic types stored more than 2-3 years need reforming — the gradual reapplication of voltage to rebuild the oxide dielectric layer. Film, ceramic, and mica types don't degrade in storage and can be used directly.
Yes, as long as all critical specifications match or exceed the original: capacitance, voltage, temperature rating, ESR, ripple current, and physical dimensions. Capacitor performance depends on specifications, not brand name. A CDE 381LR that matches a Sprague 36D's specifications will work identically.
Supply and demand. When a part number is no longer manufactured and remaining inventory is limited, prices increase. Critical applications (military, aerospace, medical) where exact replacements are required drive prices highest. For most commercial and industrial applications, a cross-referenced modern equivalent is available at standard pricing.
Usually yes. Vishay acquired Sprague's capacitor lines in 1992 and continues manufacturing some products under the Vishay Sprague name. For discontinued Vishay Sprague products, cross-reference to CDE, Nichicon, or other current manufacturers using the specification-matching approach.
Three options: (1) Read the specifications directly from the capacitor label — most include capacitance, voltage, and temperature. (2) Search for the series datasheet rather than the specific part number — legacy datasheets are often archived online. (3) Contact a specialist distributor who can identify the specifications from the part number format.
The original Vitamin Q paper-in-oil capacitors are no longer manufactured. Options include: NOS stock (available from specialty audio and vintage electronics suppliers), Jupiter Condenser (modern reproduction of similar construction), or modern polypropylene film capacitors which typically outperform the original paper-in-oil types electrically.
- Nearly every obsolete capacitor has a modern equivalent — The specifications matter, not the brand name
- Sprague → Vishay (some lines), CDE, and Nichicon cover most Sprague replacements
- Mallory → CDE and Nichicon cover most Mallory replacements
- Aerovox → CDE, TDK EPCOS, and Vishay cover most Aerovox replacements
- Match specifications, not part numbers — Capacitance, voltage, temperature, ESR, ripple, and physical size
- NOS parts need reforming — Electrolytic capacitors stored 2+ years need gradual voltage application
- Motor capacitors are interchangeable across brands — Match µF, voltage, and physical size
- Capacitor Shelf Life & Storage — Storage conditions, reforming procedures, and NOS assessment for old stock from legacy brands
- Capacitor Types Guide — Complete comparison of all capacitor types to help identify modern equivalents for obsolete parts
- Capacitor Glossary — 50+ capacitor terms defined, including legacy terminology used by Sprague, Mallory, and other discontinued brands
Have an obsolete capacitor you can't find a cross-reference for? Send us the part number — or a photo of the label — and we'll identify the specifications and recommend a modern equivalent. With over 40 years in the capacitor business, we've cross-referenced thousands of legacy part numbers and maintain inventory of hard-to-find types that other suppliers don't stock.
