Mallory Capacitor Cross-Reference Guide
P.R. Mallory exited the capacitor business in stages from the 1980s onward. The FP twist-lock multi-section cans used in vintage tube equipment, the CGS computer-grade screw terminal series, and the CG / HC large-can electrolytics are all discontinued — but every common Mallory part has a current equivalent from CDE, Nichicon, KEMET, or specialty audio repro houses (CE Manufacturing, JJ Electronic).
P.R. Mallory: A Brief History
P.R. Mallory & Co. was founded in 1916 in Indianapolis, Indiana by Philip Rogers Mallory. The company became one of the most recognizable American electronics manufacturers of the mid-20th century, with three major product lines: capacitors, vibrators (for early auto radios), and batteries — Mallory invented the alkaline cell and launched the Duracell brand in 1964.
Mallory’s capacitors were a fixture in vacuum-tube radios, hi-fi amplifiers, jukeboxes, and industrial controls from the 1930s through the 1980s. The FP series twist-lock multi-section cans were the dominant design for power-supply filter capacitors in tube gear; the CGS computer-grade series found heavy use in industrial drives and uninterruptible power supplies.
In 1978 P.R. Mallory was acquired by Dart Industries. Dart later merged with Kraft; Duracell was spun off and ultimately ended up at Procter & Gamble. The capacitor division followed a different path — it was eventually absorbed by Emerson Electric in the 1980s, then wound down as competitive pressure from CDE, Nichicon, and offshore electrolytic manufacturers reshaped the market. Mallory-branded capacitors are no longer produced.
Today, the demand for Mallory replacements is concentrated in two communities: vintage audio and radio restoration (FP twist-lock cans, TC axials), and industrial maintenance for legacy equipment that was originally specified with CGS or HC electrolytics. This guide cross-references the most-asked-for Mallory parts to current production.
Mallory Electrolytic Cross-Reference
The FP twist-lock series is the most-searched Mallory family — multi-section cans used in vintage tube electronics. Confirm the section count, individual µF values, and total voltage rating on each can before substituting.
| Original Part # | Type | Capacitance | Voltage | Modern Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP-113 | Twist-lock single can, 8 µF | 8 µF | 450 V | Single radial 10 µF / 450 V on terminal strip; CE Mfg twist-lock repro | Vintage tube radio / amp |
| FP-115 | Twist-lock single can, 10 µF | 10 µF | 450 V | Single radial 10 µF / 450 V; CE Mfg / JJ repro | Tube power supply filter |
| FP-116 | Twist-lock single can, 16 µF | 16 µF | 450 V | Single radial 22 µF / 450 V; CE Mfg repro | Tube radio B+ filter |
| FP-125 / FP-135 | Twist-lock single, ~30-50 µF | 30 – 50 µF (typical) | 450 V | Single radial 47 µF / 450 V; CE Mfg repro | Tube amp filter |
| FP-208 / FP-210 | Twist-lock dual section | 20 + 20 µF / 30 + 20 µF | 450 V | Two radials or JJ Electronic dual-section can | Vintage radio multi-stage filter |
| FP-225 / FP-228 | Twist-lock dual section | 40 + 20 µF (typical) | 450 V | Two radials on terminal strip; CE Mfg dual repro | Tube amp B+/screen filter |
| FP-244 / FP-245 | Twist-lock triple section | 40 + 40 + 20 µF (typical) | 450 V | Three radials; JJ Electronic triple-section repro | Hi-fi tube amplifiers |
| WP / PWP | Metal-can radial / PCB twist-prong | 1 – 1500 µF (typical) | 10 – 475 V | Nichicon UVR, Panasonic EE, Rubycon YXF radial | PCB-mount industrial |
| CGS | Computer-grade screw terminal | 150 – 33,000 µF (typical) | 10 – 450 V | CDE 381LR / 520C, Nichicon LGU / LQR | Industrial drives, UPS |
| CG | Large can computer-grade | 400 – 22,000 µF (typical) | 10 – 600 V | CDE 500C / 520C, Nichicon LGN | Tube transmitters, power supplies |
| HC | High-cap snap-in | 100 – 10,000 µF (typical) | 10 – 450 V | CDE 380LX, Nichicon snap-in (LGU/LGN-S) | VFD DC bus, switching supplies |
| LP | Low-profile electrolytic | 1 – 4,700 µF | 6.3 – 100 V | Nichicon UHE, Panasonic FC | Logic, low-voltage filtering |
| TC / TT | Tubular axial electrolytic | 1 – 250 µF (typical) | 6 – 500 V | Nichicon TVX, CDE/Illinois axial | Vintage equipment, military |
Mallory FP catalog numbers cover hundreds of capacitance/voltage combinations — the examples shown are representative of the most commonly searched values. Use the capacitance and voltage from the original can to find the current-production equivalent.
Mallory Tantalum, Film & Motor Capacitor Cross-Reference
Mallory's tantalum and motor capacitor production was substantial through the 1980s. For motor run capacitors, brand is interchangeable as long as µF, voltage, and physical dimensions match — see our motor capacitor troubleshooting guide.
| Original Part # | Type | Capacitance | Voltage | Modern Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150D / TAS | Solid tantalum dipped radial | 0.1 – 330 µF | 3 – 50 V | KEMET T350, AVX TAP | General decoupling |
| VPR | Solid tantalum, premium grade | 0.1 – 1500 µF | 6 – 50 V | KEMET T350 / T491, Vishay 150D | Mil/aerospace heritage |
| TDC / TDL | Solid tantalum (mil-style) | 1 – 1000 µF | 6 – 50 V | KEMET T350, Vishay 150D | Industrial / mil-spec |
| PVC | Polycarbonate film | 0.001 – 10 µF | 50 – 600 V | WIMA FKC, CDE 940C / 942C | Polycarbonate now obsolete; PP equivalents standard |
| PSU / STR | Motor start, plastic case | 53 – 1080 µF | 110 – 250 VAC | CDE PSU, NTE motor start, generic motor start | Single-phase induction motors |
| RUN / Mallory STD | Motor run, oval / round | 1 – 80 µF | 370 / 440 VAC | CDE DERA, NTE MRC, generic motor run | HVAC, pumps |
How to Identify a Mallory Capacitor
Mallory used a paper or printed-aluminum sleeve with the Mallory script logo on most electrolytic cans. The series prefix is the key to a cross-reference; the catalog number gives the exact value.
- FP / WP / PWP twist-lock — Cylindrical aluminum can with a flat cardboard or phenolic mounting wafer at the base. Three or four metal tabs protrude through chassis holes and are twisted to lock the cap in place. Markings include the catalog number (e.g.
FP-225) and the capacitance map for each section (40-20 mfd / 450 V). Different colored leads or numbered solder tabs identify which section is which. - CGS / CG computer-grade — Large aluminum can with two screw-terminal posts on top. White or pale-blue sleeve with Mallory logo, capacitance, voltage, and a part number such as
CGS122U010R2C(1,200 µF / 10 V, case code R2C). - HC snap-in — Snap-in radial electrolytic with two stiff PCB leads at the bottom. Smaller than the screw-terminal CGS but larger than ordinary radial.
- TC axial — Tubular paper-wrapped electrolytic with axial leads. Used in vintage hi-fi, military gear, and older industrial controls.
- VPR / TDC tantalum — Solid tantalum dipped radial in beige, yellow, or green epoxy. Polarity stripe marks the positive terminal — see our tantalum polarity guide.
- STD / RUN motor capacitors — Round or oval metal can with two quick-disconnect tabs. Markings include µF, VAC rating, and
HZ 50/60.
Mallory date codes vary by era. Pre-1970 production typically used a 4-character alphanumeric code; from the 1970s onward, a 4-digit YYWW format is most common.
What Replaced Mallory?
No single manufacturer absorbed Mallory’s capacitor business — the lines were wound down rather than transferred wholesale. Different segments are now best served by different manufacturers:
- Computer-grade (CGS, CG, HC) — Cornell Dubilier 381LR, 382LX, 520C, and 380LX cover the same form factor and electrical specs. Nichicon LGU, LQR, and LGN are equivalent Japanese alternatives.
- FP twist-lock multi-section — Two paths: (1) replace each section with an individual radial electrolytic mounted on a small terminal strip, or (2) buy a modern multi-section twist-lock reproduction from CE Manufacturing or JJ Electronic. Both are common in vintage tube equipment restoration.
- Mica capacitors (Type CM, CY) — Cornell Dubilier silver mica (CDE-MIN) and Vishay are the standard replacements. Mica capacitors do not degrade in storage, so NOS Mallory mica is also a safe option if the value is needed.
- Tantalum (VPR, TDC, TDL) — KEMET T350 (radial) and T491 / T494 (SMD) are the broad-line equivalents. Vishay 150D continues for through-hole.
- Motor start & run (PSU, STD, RUN) — CDE PSU, CDE DERA, NTE motor capacitor lines, and any current-production motor capacitor matching µF, voltage, and physical dimensions will work. See our motor capacitor catalog.