BPW34S-Ersatz: Vishay BPW34S vs. Bee Photon PDCP08-501 - Der ultimative Photodioden-Querverweis-Leitfaden

If you’re here, chances are you’ve been working with the Vishay BPW34S for a while. It’s that trusty little PIN photodiode that’s been around forever, popping up in everything from light sensors to optical counters. But maybe you’re running into stock problems, or costs are creeping up, or you just want something fresh that drops in without rethinking your whole design. That’s where looking for a BPW34S equivalent comes in – and today we’re putting it head-to-head with our own PDCP08-501 silicon PIN photodiode from Bee Photon.

I’ve spent years messing around with these components in all sorts of setups, from simple light detectors to more tricky optical switch projects. Seen a lot of folks swap parts and either nail it or hit snags because the specs weren’t quite matching up. So lets break this down properly, no fluff, just the stuff that actually matters when you’re trying to find a reliable BPW34S replacement.

Why People Hunt for BPW34S Equivalents Anyway

The Vishay BPW34S (and its close cousin the BPW34) has been a workhorse since, well, a long time. It’s popular because it’s cheap, sensitive to visible and near-IR light, and pretty quick on the draw. But nothing lasts forever in the supply chain world. Sometimes batches get discontinued-ish, prices jump, or you need something with a bit more punch in certain areas.

That’s the photodiode cross reference game – finding something that fits the socket, handles the voltage, and responds to light in a similar way without rewriting your circuit. Our PDCP08-501 came about because customers kept asking us for alternatives that could step in for popular parts like the BPW34S, especially in optical switching or general detection where reliability counts more than ultra-high-speed stuff.

Side-by-Side Specs: The Comparison Table

Alright, let’s get to the meat. Here’s a quick table pulling the key numbers straight from the official datasheets. Vishay’s data comes from their BPW34/BPW34S document (you can grab it here if you want to double-check), and ours is from the PDCP08-501 product page on our site.

Parameter	Vishay BPW34S	Bee Photon PDCP08-501	Notes / What It Means for You
Active Area Size	7.5 mm² (approx 2.75 x 2.75 mm)	8.41 mm² (2.9 x 2.9 mm)	Bigger area on ours means potentially more light collection – handy in lower-light setups
Spitzenempfindlichkeit Wellenlänge	900 nm	940 nm	Close enough for most visible/near-IR jobs
Spectral Range	430 – 1100 nm	450 – 1100 nm	Both cover visible through near-IR nicely
Responsivity (at peak)	~0.62 A/W (calculated from short circuit current)	0.7 A/W	Ours edges out a bit higher sensitivity
Responsivity at 520 nm	Not directly specified, but lower in green	0.2 A/W	Similar behavior in visible light
Dark Current (typ, low bias)	2 nA (at VR=10V)	1 nA (1000 pA at VR=10 mV)	Ours runs cooler in the dark – less noise
Max Reverse Voltage	60 V	20 V	Big difference – stick to lower voltages with ours
Junction Capacitance (at 0V)	70 pF	70 pF	Spot on match here
Aufgangs-/Fallzeit	100 ns	120 µs	Vishay wins on speed; ours is better for slower, steady detection
Angle of Half Sensitivity	±65°	±65°	Identical viewing angle
Betriebstemperatur	-40 to +100 °C	-40 to +100 °C	Same tough range
Package Style	Leaded top-view plastic (5.4 x 4.3 mm)	2-pin epoxy resin	Similar footprint, easy swap in many boards

As you can see, they’re pretty darn close in a bunch of areas, but not identical twins. If your project screams for high reverse voltage or super-fast response (like pulse detection), the original BPW34S might still be king. But for tons of everyday stuff – think optical switches, light barriers, or ambient sensors – the PDCP08-501 slides in smooth and sometimes even performs better.

Diving Deeper into the Key Differences

Sensitivity and Responsivity

Responsivity is basically how much current you get out per watt of light hitting it. The Vishay part clocks in around 0.62 A/W near its peak, while our PDCP08-501 hits 0.7 A/W. That extra bump means in the same light conditions, you’ll see a stronger signal. We’ve had customers swap over and notice cleaner readings right away, especially in mixed lighting.

Plus that slightly larger active area helps catch more photons without needing perfect alignment. In one project I remember (can’t name names, but it was an industrial counter setup), switching to ours gave them about 15% better signal strength without touching the amp circuit.

Speed Trade-Offs

Here’s where things split. The BPW34S is built for speed – those 100 ns rise/fall times make it great for high-frequency stuff or quick pulses. Our PDCP08-501 is more laid-back at 120 µs, which is plenty fast for detecting steady light changes, like in encoders or proximity sensors, but not if you’re chasing laser pulses.

If speed is your bottleneck, you might need to look elsewhere. But honestly, most folks using BPW34S aren’t pushing those limits – they’re using it for reliable on/off detection.

Voltage and Noise

60V max on Vishay vs our 20V – that’s worth noting. Don’t go cranking high bias on the PDCP08-501 or you’ll smoke it. On the flip side, our dark current is typically lower, meaning less leakage noise when no light’s around. That’s a win for battery-powered gadgets or low-signal apps.

Package and Mounting

Both are through-hole, 2-pin deals with similar overall size. The Vishay one’s a clear plastic top-view, ours uses epoxy resin window. Drop-in replacement in most breadboards or PCBs, though always prototype first – pin spacing might need a quick check.

Real-Life Applications and Some Stories from the Trenches

Over the years at Bee Photon, we’ve seen the PDCP08-501 step in for BPW34S in all kinds of places. One guy was building automated sorting lines – light beams triggering counters. The original parts were getting hard to source, so he tried ours. Worked like a charm, and the extra sensitivity meant fewer false misses even with dusty lenses.

Another case was a hobbyist making environmental monitors. Needed something cheap but reliable for daylight logging. The larger area and higher responsivity gave better dynamic range, and he ended up with smoother data curves.

We’ve also supplied batches for educational kits where students build basic opto-interrupters. Kids (and teachers) loved that it just worked without fiddly adjustments.

These aren’t fancy lab tales – just regular projects where a solid BPW34S equivalent saved time and headaches.

Is the PDCP08-501 the Right BPW34S Replacement for You?

If you’re after a photodiode cross reference that’s close on sensitivity, spectral response, and angle – yeah, this one’s a strong contender. It shines (pun intended) where you want higher output current, lower noise, or a bit more forgiving alignment. And since we’re Bee Photon, we keep stock steady and can even tweak things if you need custom variants.

Not perfect for every single BPW34S circuit out there, especially high-voltage or ultra-high-speed ones. But for the majority? Absolutely worth trying.

We’ve built our reputation on solid, no-nonsense photodetectors that engineers actually use day in, day out. Check out more on our silicon PIN photodiode page or browse the full lineup at foto-detektor.de.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Ready to give the PDCP08-501 a shot as your next BPW34S replacement? Reach out today for a quote or more details – we’d love to help get your project sorted. Hit up info@photo-detector.com or visit us at https://photo-detector.com/.