Brand Cross-Reference

Sprague Capacitor Cross-Reference Guide

Sprague Electric was acquired by Vishay in 1992. Vishay Sprague still makes the 293D and 595D tantalums; the legacy 36D computer-grade, TVA Atom, and Vitamin Q lines are discontinued — but every common Sprague part has a current equivalent from Vishay, Cornell Dubilier (CDE), or Nichicon. Use the tables below to match by series.

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Sprague Electric: A Brief History

Sprague Electric was founded in 1926 by Robert C. Sprague in North Adams, Massachusetts. From the 1930s through the early 1990s, Sprague was one of the largest American capacitor manufacturers and a primary supplier to the U.S. military, telecommunications, and industrial markets. The company developed and trademarked iconic product lines including the Atom electrolytic (the orange-and-black axial standard for tube audio), the Vitamin Q paper-in-oil hermetic capacitor for military and premium audio, and the Orange Drop film capacitors that became the de facto standard in guitar amplifiers.

In 1992, Sprague Electric was acquired by Vishay Intertechnology. The product lines were gradually rationalized: tantalum capacitor families (293D, 595D, 150D) continue under the Vishay Sprague name, while the aluminum electrolytic lines were largely wound down or transferred. Cornell Dubilier eventually picked up production of the 715P Orange Drop, and Jupiter Condenser produces a modern reproduction of the Vitamin Q.

Engineers and restoration specialists still search for Sprague part numbers because decades-old industrial drives, vintage tube audio, telecommunications gear, and military equipment were all designed around them. The good news: nearly every Sprague capacitor has a current equivalent — what matters is matching specifications, not the brand on the sleeve. This guide maps the most-searched Sprague series to their modern replacements.

Sprague Aluminum Electrolytic Cross-Reference

Common Sprague electrolytic series with typical capacitance and voltage ranges, and current equivalents from CDE and Nichicon. Always confirm the exact µF, voltage, and physical dimensions on your specific part before ordering.

Original Part #	Type	Capacitance	Voltage	Modern Equivalent	Notes
36D	Computer-grade, screw terminal	150 µF – 30,000 µF	10 – 450 V	CDE 381LR / 382LX, Nichicon LGU / LQR	UPS, VFD DC bus, industrial power
36DX	Extended-life computer-grade	470 µF – 22,000 µF	16 – 450 V	CDE 520C, Nichicon LQR	Critical power, high-temp
39D	High-voltage can	4 µF – 1,000 µF	150 – 600 V	CDE 500C, Nichicon LGN	Transmitters, tube power supplies
53D	Snap-in electrolytic	100 µF – 22,000 µF	10 – 450 V	CDE 380LX, Nichicon LGU snap-in	Industrial controls
515D	PCB radial	0.1 µF – 4,700 µF	6.3 – 100 V	Nichicon UVR/LGU, Rubycon MXR	Instruments, low-voltage logic
TVA Atom	Axial electrolytic	1 µF – 250 µF (typical)	15 – 500 V	Nichicon TVX, CDE/Illinois axial	Tube audio, vintage radios
TE	Twist-prong axial / multi-section	1 µF – 80 µF/section	150 – 500 V	CDE/Illinois axial, individual radials	Vintage industrial
32DR / 32DM	Miniature can	10 µF – 5,000 µF	6 – 100 V	CDE 381LR (small case), Nichicon snap-in	Telecom, instrumentation
672D	Motor start, plastic	88 – 1080 µF	110 – 250 VAC	CDE PSU, generic motor start	Single-phase induction motors
86F / 86P	Motor run, oil-filled	1 – 80 µF	370 / 440 VAC	CDE DERA, generic motor run	HVAC, pumps, fans

Sprague Film Capacitor Cross-Reference

Film and paper-in-oil capacitors covering Vitamin Q, Orange Drop, and high-voltage polypropylene types. Most film capacitors do not degrade in storage and can be replaced by specification match alone.

Original Part #	Type	Capacitance	Voltage	Modern Equivalent	Notes
160P / 192P (Vitamin Q)	Paper-in-oil, hermetic	0.001 – 1.0 µF (typical)	200 – 600 VDC	Jupiter Condenser, CDE 940C film, WIMA MKP	Premium audio coupling
225P	Polyester film (Orange Drop)	0.001 – 1.0 µF	100 – 600 V	CDE 225P (still produced), WIMA MKS	Audio, signal coupling
715P	Polypropylene film (Orange Drop)	0.001 – 1.0 µF	200 – 1500 V	CDE 715P (current production)	Tube audio, guitar amps
730P	Polypropylene, high voltage	0.001 – 0.1 µF	1000 – 6000 V	CDE 940C, WIMA FKP, TDK MKP	Snubbers, high-V coupling
418P	AC motor run, metallized paper	1 – 50 µF	370 – 660 VAC	CDE DCMC, generic metallized PP run	HVAC, lighting ballasts

Sprague Tantalum Capacitor Cross-Reference

Vishay Sprague continues to manufacture the 293D wet tantalum and 595D solid tantalum chip series. For discontinued Sprague tantalum codes, KEMET and AVX cover most modern applications. Tantalum polarity is opposite of aluminum electrolytic — see our tantalum polarity guide.

Original Part #	Type	Capacitance	Voltage	Modern Equivalent	Notes
150D	Solid tantalum, radial	0.1 – 330 µF	3 – 50 V	KEMET T350, Vishay 150D (still active)	General-purpose decoupling
196D	Solid tantalum, dipped radial	0.1 – 100 µF	6.3 – 50 V	KEMET T350, AVX TAJ	Compact military / industrial
293D	Wet tantalum, axial hermetic	1 – 1200 µF	6 – 125 V	Vishay 293D (still active), Eaton HV wet tantalum	Aerospace, high reliability
595D	Solid tantalum, SMD chip	0.1 – 470 µF	2.5 – 50 V	KEMET T491 / T494, AVX TAJ / TPS	SMT board-level filtering

How to Identify a Sprague Capacitor

Sprague used different markings for each product family. The series designator is the key to cross-referencing — once you have it, the tables above point to the modern equivalent.

Computer-grade (36D, 36DX, 39D) — Large aluminum can with screw terminals, black or blue sleeve, white screen-printed text. Look for the series number near the top, followed by a part-number string like 36DX222F050 (2,200 µF / 50 V) or 36D274G050. The “G” / “F” letter codes the case size.
TVA Atom — Axial leaded electrolytic in a paper-wrapped aluminum tube, almost always orange/black. Marking format is TVA-1500 through TVA-3500-series. A four-digit suffix identifies cap and voltage from Sprague’s code chart (e.g. TVA-1610 = 100 µF / 50 V).
Vitamin Q (160P/192P) — Hermetic glass-to-metal seal, rectangular metal can, often olive drab military finish. Date codes are 4-digit YYWW.
Orange Drop (225P / 715P) — Distinctive orange epoxy-dipped flat film body with two axial leads. The series number is printed in black; capacitance is in microfarads or, on smaller values, a 3-digit code (e.g. 224 = 0.22 µF).
Tantalum (150D, 196D, 293D, 595D) — Yellow or orange dipped radial bead (150D/196D), axial hermetic metal can (293D), or yellow SMD chip (595D). The stripe on through-hole and SMD tantalums marks the positiveterminal — the opposite convention from aluminum electrolytic.

Sprague date codes are typically a 4-digit YYWW. A code of 9214 means week 14 of 1992 — useful for confirming whether a part predates the Vishay acquisition.

What Replaced Sprague?

Vishay Intertechnology acquired Sprague Electric in 1992. The Sprague brand survives for a subset of products — primarily tantalums sold as “Vishay Sprague” — but the bulk of the legacy product lines are now produced by other manufacturers under different series designators.

Computer-grade aluminum electrolytic (36D, 36DX, 39D, 53D) — Cornell Dubilier (CDE) inherited the U.S. market share. Their CDE 381LR, 382LX, 520C, and 500C series cover the same capacitance, voltage, and form-factor range. Nichicon LGU/LQR/LGN are equivalent Japanese alternatives.
Atom (TVA / TE) axial — Nichicon TVX is the most commonly stocked axial replacement. CDE and Illinois Capacitor (now part of CDE) also produce axial-lead electrolytics in matching values. New-production Sprague Atom reproductions are available from a few specialty audio brands.
Vitamin Q paper-in-oil — No longer manufactured. Jupiter Condenser makes a modern reproduction. For most circuits, a polypropylene film capacitor (CDE 940C, WIMA MKP) is the engineering-equivalent upgrade.
Orange Drop (225P / 715P) — Cornell Dubilier still produces the CDE 715P Orange Drop as a direct successor. The body color, lead spacing, and electrical specs are identical to the Sprague originals.
Tantalum (150D, 196D, 293D, 595D) — Vishay Sprague still produces most of these. KEMET T350 (radial) and T491/T494 (SMD) cover discontinued codes. AVX TAJ/TPS are alternative SMD families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sprague capacitors still made?

Sprague Electric Company was acquired by Vishay Intertechnology in 1992, and many Sprague product lines are still manufactured under the Vishay Sprague name — including the 293D and 595D tantalums and selected aluminum electrolytic series. Other Sprague lines (36D computer-grade, TVA Atom, Vitamin Q paper-in-oil) are discontinued, but specification-matched replacements are available from Cornell Dubilier (CDE), Nichicon, and KEMET.

How do I find a modern equivalent for a Sprague capacitor?

Start with the series name printed on the can or sleeve (e.g., 36D, TVA, 715P) and the capacitance, voltage, and temperature rating from the label. Match these specifications to a current series — for Sprague 36D computer-grade types, that is typically the CDE 381LR or Nichicon LGU/LQR. The replacement must equal or exceed the original on voltage, temperature, ESR, and ripple current. Physical fit (diameter, height, terminal style) must also match.

Will a new capacitor work in place of a vintage Sprague?

Yes, in nearly all cases. Capacitor performance depends on specifications, not the brand stamped on the can. A Vishay, CDE, or Nichicon part that matches the original Sprague capacitance, voltage, temperature, ESR, and ripple-current ratings will function identically. For audio restoration, some vintage Sprague film and paper-in-oil parts (Vitamin Q, Bumblebee) are sought after for tonal character — there modern reproductions or NOS stock is preferred over a generic film replacement.

What is the shelf life of NOS Sprague capacitors?

Aluminum electrolytic Sprague capacitors stored more than 2-3 years should be reformed before use — gradually applied voltage rebuilds the oxide dielectric and prevents inrush failure. Film, mica, and ceramic Sprague capacitors do not degrade in storage and can typically be installed directly. Tantalum capacitors have indefinite shelf life if kept dry. See our capacitor shelf life guide for the full reforming procedure.

What replaced the Sprague 36D computer-grade capacitor?

The Sprague 36D screw-terminal aluminum electrolytic is most commonly cross-referenced to the Cornell Dubilier 381LR or 382LX, and the Nichicon LGU or LQR series. For extended-life applications that originally used the 36DX, the CDE 520C is the typical equivalent. Always match capacitance within tolerance, voltage equal or higher, temperature equal or higher, and verify can diameter, height, and mounting hole pattern.

Where can I find Sprague Vitamin Q paper-in-oil capacitors for audio?

Original Sprague Vitamin Q (160P/192P) hermetically sealed paper-in-oil capacitors are no longer manufactured. Audio restorers typically choose between three options: (1) NOS stock from specialty distributors like Specap, (2) Jupiter Condenser modern paper-in-oil reproductions, or (3) modern polypropylene film capacitors such as CDE 940C or WIMA MKP, which often outperform the original paper-in-oil dielectric on measurements while preserving the circuit value.

Did Sprague make Orange Drop capacitors?

Yes. The Sprague 225P (polyester) and 715P (polypropylene) Orange Drops were originally a Sprague product. After the Vishay acquisition, manufacturing transitioned and the Orange Drop name and tooling are now produced by Cornell Dubilier (CDE 715P). The current CDE 715P Orange Drop is a direct successor to the Sprague 715P and is still available new.

Related Resources

Cross-Reference Tool — Search by Part #What Size Capacitor Do I Need?Capacitor Shelf Life & Storage Capacitor Failure Modes & Prevention Sprague Capacitors — Inventory Page Mallory Capacitor Cross-Reference Guide CDE Cornell Dubilier Cross-Reference Guide Obsolete Capacitor Cross-Reference (Master Article)