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SMD code search: identify a part by its marking

No part printed ESS is recorded in SMCF. 4 printed with a similar-looking code.

Not sure which one you have?

Answer up to 4 quick questions and these 5 parts are ranked, with a meter test that settles it. It works on a dead part too.

1 part has no package on record. Nothing rules it out, so it stays.

  • MIC5330-3.3/3.3YMLLDO regulator, MicrelLDO regulatorMicrel
    What it is
    LDO regulator
    Maker
    Micrel
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Details
    Linear voltage regulator IC: LDO, Dual out, Vo1/Vo2=3.3V/3.3V±2%, 300mA, +CE
    Source
    Published code list

    Is it dead?

    Voltage, board powered, black probe on ground. Then ohms with the power off.

    Working, it reads

    Input pin at the supply, output pin at its rated voltage, and the enable pin high if it has one.

    Dead, it reads

    • Output equal to the input: the pass element has shorted. Everything after it may have taken the full input.
    • Input present, enable high, no output: failed open, or holding itself off into a shorted load. Power off and measure output to ground.
    • Power off, input to output near 0 Ω: shorted.
    On the board:
    An output at 0 V is often a shorted load with the regulator in current limit. Lift the output pin: if the short stays on the board, the regulator may be fine.
    Compare:
    The same regulator on another rail or another board shows the right voltages and the right resistances.
    Watch for:
    Makers put input, output and ground on different pins in the same package, so take them from this part's datasheet. Diode or ohms readings between its pins say little; check it powered.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

Printed with a code easy to misread

These parts are printed with a character that is easy to misread as what you typed. The odd one out is marked on each.

4 parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.

DC-DC converter. What differs:

  • IXD3237G35C0R-Gprinted ES5IXYSIXYS

    Printed ES5 on the part. Easy to misread as ESS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.

    What it is
    DC-DC converter
    Maker
    IXYS
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Details
    DC/DC voltage converter IC: PW M-PWM/PFM, st-dwn, 3.5V±2%, 600mA, 1.2MHz, Vin>1.8V, HSST, CL
    Source
    Published code list

    Is it dead?

    Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.

    Working, it reads

    Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.

    Dead, it reads

    • A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
    • Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
    On the board:
    A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
    Compare:
    The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
    Watch for:
    Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • IXD3237G35C4R-Gprinted ES5IXYSIXYS

    Printed ES5 on the part. Easy to misread as ESS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.

    What it is
    DC-DC converter
    Maker
    IXYS
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Details
    DC/DC voltage converter IC: PW M-PWM/PFM, st-dwn, 3.5V±2%, 600mA, 1.2MHz, Vin>1.8V, HSST, CL
    Source
    Published code list

    Is it dead?

    Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.

    Working, it reads

    Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.

    Dead, it reads

    • A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
    • Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
    On the board:
    A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
    Compare:
    The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
    Watch for:
    Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • XC9237G35C0R-Gprinted ES5TorexTorex

    Printed ES5 on the part. Easy to misread as ESS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.

    What it is
    DC-DC converter
    Maker
    Torex
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Details
    DC/DC voltage converter IC: PW M-PWM/PFM, st-dwn, 3.5V±2%, 600mA, 1.2MHz, Vin>1.8V, HSST, CL
    Source
    Published code list

    Is it dead?

    Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.

    Working, it reads

    Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.

    Dead, it reads

    • A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
    • Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
    On the board:
    A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
    Compare:
    The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
    Watch for:
    Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • XC9237G35C4R-Gprinted ES5TorexTorex

    Printed ES5 on the part. Easy to misread as ESS. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.

    What it is
    DC-DC converter
    Maker
    Torex
    Package
    Not recorded
    Pins
    Not recorded
    Details
    DC/DC voltage converter IC: PW M-PWM/PFM, st-dwn, 3.5V±2%, 600mA, 1.2MHz, Vin>1.8V, HSST, CL
    Source
    Published code list

    Is it dead?

    Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.

    Working, it reads

    Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.

    Dead, it reads

    • A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
    • Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
    On the board:
    A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
    Compare:
    The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
    Watch for:
    Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

9 more parts have codes that begin with ESS: 7 in SMCF, 2 with no package on record

Codes that begin with ESS

For a marking with its end worn or burnt off. Each one shows its full printed code.

  • SFM51-CFprinted ES5ASMCFRectifier, Formosa MicrosemiRectifierFormosa Microsemi

    Printed ES5A. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    Rectifier
    Maker
    Formosa Microsemi
    Package
    SMCF
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Rectifier diode
    Source
    Manufacturer datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.5 to 0.8 V anode to cathode, and open the other way. Small switching diodes read about 0.6 to 0.7 V; large rectifiers can read a little lower.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    On the board
    this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A three-pin body can hold two diodes. With a common pin they read two junctions from that pin, just like a transistor; in series they read two drops end to end. Test each pair the datasheet names.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • SFM52-CFprinted ES5BSMCFRectifier, Formosa MicrosemiRectifierFormosa Microsemi

    Printed ES5B. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    Rectifier
    Maker
    Formosa Microsemi
    Package
    SMCF
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Rectifier diode
    Source
    Manufacturer datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.5 to 0.8 V anode to cathode, and open the other way. Small switching diodes read about 0.6 to 0.7 V; large rectifiers can read a little lower.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    On the board
    this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A three-pin body can hold two diodes. With a common pin they read two junctions from that pin, just like a transistor; in series they read two drops end to end. Test each pair the datasheet names.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • SFM53-CFprinted ES5CSMCFRectifier, Formosa MicrosemiRectifierFormosa Microsemi

    Printed ES5C. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    Rectifier
    Maker
    Formosa Microsemi
    Package
    SMCF
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Rectifier diode
    Source
    Manufacturer datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.5 to 0.8 V anode to cathode, and open the other way. Small switching diodes read about 0.6 to 0.7 V; large rectifiers can read a little lower.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    On the board
    this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A three-pin body can hold two diodes. With a common pin they read two junctions from that pin, just like a transistor; in series they read two drops end to end. Test each pair the datasheet names.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • SFM54-CFprinted ES5DSMCFRectifier, Formosa MicrosemiRectifierFormosa Microsemi

    Printed ES5D. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    Rectifier
    Maker
    Formosa Microsemi
    Package
    SMCF
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Rectifier diode
    Source
    Manufacturer datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.5 to 0.8 V anode to cathode, and open the other way. Small switching diodes read about 0.6 to 0.7 V; large rectifiers can read a little lower.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    On the board
    this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A three-pin body can hold two diodes. With a common pin they read two junctions from that pin, just like a transistor; in series they read two drops end to end. Test each pair the datasheet names.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • SFM55-CFprinted ES5ESMCFRectifier, Formosa MicrosemiRectifierFormosa Microsemi

    Printed ES5E. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    Rectifier
    Maker
    Formosa Microsemi
    Package
    SMCF
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Rectifier diode
    Source
    Manufacturer datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.5 to 0.8 V anode to cathode, and open the other way. Small switching diodes read about 0.6 to 0.7 V; large rectifiers can read a little lower.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    On the board
    this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A three-pin body can hold two diodes. With a common pin they read two junctions from that pin, just like a transistor; in series they read two drops end to end. Test each pair the datasheet names.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • SFM56-CFprinted ES5GSMCFRectifier, Formosa MicrosemiRectifierFormosa Microsemi

    Printed ES5G. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    Rectifier
    Maker
    Formosa Microsemi
    Package
    SMCF
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Rectifier diode
    Source
    Manufacturer datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.5 to 0.8 V anode to cathode, and open the other way. Small switching diodes read about 0.6 to 0.7 V; large rectifiers can read a little lower.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    On the board
    this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A three-pin body can hold two diodes. With a common pin they read two junctions from that pin, just like a transistor; in series they read two drops end to end. Test each pair the datasheet names.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • SFM58-CFprinted ES5JSMCFRectifier, Formosa MicrosemiRectifierFormosa Microsemi

    Printed ES5J. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

    What it is
    Rectifier
    Maker
    Formosa Microsemi
    Package
    SMCF
    Pins
    2
    Details
    Rectifier diode
    Source
    Manufacturer datasheet

    Is it dead?

    Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.

    Working, it reads

    About 0.5 to 0.8 V anode to cathode, and open the other way. Small switching diodes read about 0.6 to 0.7 V; large rectifiers can read a little lower.

    Dead, it reads

    • The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
    • Open both ways: failed open.
    • A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
    On the board
    this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
    Compare:
    If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
    Watch for:
    A three-pin body can hold two diodes. With a common pin they read two junctions from that pin, just like a transistor; in series they read two drops end to end. Test each pair the datasheet names.

    A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

  • 2 more parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
    • CPDA10R5V0SC-HFprinted E5SCESD protection diode, ComchipESD protection diodeComchip

      Printed E5SC. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

      What it is
      ESD protection diode
      Maker
      Comchip
      Package
      Not recorded
      Pins
      Not recorded
      Details
      5 V bidirectional ESD protection diode
      Source
      Manufacturer datasheet

      Is it dead?

      Diode range, from the protected line to ground, part lifted if you can.

      Working, it reads

      A one-way part reads about 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse. A two-way part reads open both ways. Arrays with several lines read as the datasheet's diagram draws them.

      Dead, it reads

      • From the line to ground, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
      • A reading both ways on a one-way part: leaky.
      • A one-way part open both ways: failed open.
      On the board
      , a line reading shorted to ground can be this part or anything else on that line. Lift it: if the short goes with it, it has failed.
      Compare:
      The same part on the next line or connector pin is the healthy reading to compare with.
      Watch for:
      A two-way part reads open both ways when it is good, exactly like one that has failed open. The meter cannot tell them apart; an identical part on the next line can.

      A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

    • CPDUR5V0CSP-HFprinted E5SPESD protection diode, ComchipESD protection diodeComchip

      Printed E5SP. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.

      What it is
      ESD protection diode
      Maker
      Comchip
      Package
      Not recorded
      Pins
      Not recorded
      Details
      5 V bidirectional ESD protection diode
      Source
      Manufacturer datasheet

      Is it dead?

      Diode range, from the protected line to ground, part lifted if you can.

      Working, it reads

      A one-way part reads about 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse. A two-way part reads open both ways. Arrays with several lines read as the datasheet's diagram draws them.

      Dead, it reads

      • From the line to ground, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
      • A reading both ways on a one-way part: leaky.
      • A one-way part open both ways: failed open.
      On the board
      , a line reading shorted to ground can be this part or anything else on that line. Lift it: if the short goes with it, it has failed.
      Compare:
      The same part on the next line or connector pin is the healthy reading to compare with.
      Watch for:
      A two-way part reads open both ways when it is good, exactly like one that has failed open. The meter cannot tell them apart; an identical part on the next line can.

      A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

Did you find your part?

One code, several parts

Marking codes are not unique. In the standard code book, 6H on a SOT-23 is an NPN transistor, a varicap, an N-channel JFET, two digital transistors, a 3.6 V voltage detector: six parts from five makers. So a search shows the parts we hold under that code and under codes easily misread as it, with only the columns that tell them apart.

6Hon a SOT-23, in the code book
  • NPN transistor
  • Varicap
  • N-channel JFET
  • Digital transistor ×2
  • 3.6 V voltage detector

When more than one is left

Tap Help me choose. Up to 4 quick answers: whether the part has failed, then what separates the parts left. Those get ranked with the reasoning and a test that settles it. That uses one identification: 2 a month are free without an account, and 3 with a free account.

When you cannot read it

Tap the camera in the field. We read the characters, keep the ones we are unsure of, and search every reading. A photo too soft to read is turned back on your phone first; if it is the only one you can get, you can still send it.

Get the app

The same search on your phone, and a camera with a light, zoom and tap to focus for a marking you cannot read. Sign in with your email address to use the same account.

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