When I look for ICs online, I often come across a list like this one.
For example, I just searched for the 4N35 optocoupler, and came up with a list:
- 4N35M
- 4N35SM
- 4N35SR2M
- 4N35SR2VM
- 4N35SVM
- 4N35TVM
- 4N35VM
And this is a relatively short list. Sometimes, differences are obvious (i.e. package type). But the aforementioned are all in DIP package. So is there some sort of a general convention that all manufacturers follow when naming these chips? I mean, how am I supposed to choose which one is right for me? Reading the datasheet searching for a minute difference each and every time can be tedious (sometimes it certainly helps), but I'm wondering if there is a fast way, based on the suffixes of the variants of a component, to tell how it differs from other members in its family.
Best Answer
No standard convention between manufacturers, or sometimes within a single manufacturer.
The different part numbers can refer to:
And so many more, in any combination.