Best supplier for basic components? UK. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2023, 03:46:57 pm
content: Just wondering where do fellow UK geeks go for basic components, like semiconductors, caps, resistors etc? I use or have used most of the well known names, like Farnell (prohibitive charges on small orders, RS (same), Mouser, ok but sometimes limited on certain values and types, Digikey, I use mostly. I'm tending to find better prices on ebay! Problem is it's a chore to find the values and types due to the non specific search system, but have concerns about fakes.

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2023, 05:23:22 pm
content: Rapid Electronics may have stock if what you want,https://www.rapidonline.comThere is also anglialive, though shipping isn't free for orders below £30.https://www.anglia-live.comI buy from Farnell, RS, Mouser, Digikey and Rapid in the main. Sometimes I find LCSC has something the others don't. No issues thus far with them apart from the VAT bill when the parts arrive. Some manufacturers I buy from direct (as I'm a company), such as Wurth and Microchip. Wurth's price is very good, but there are shipping charges. So I tend to batch up orders with them.I've found Octopart handy for trawling the main players, and then I will try some of the smaller ones to hunt parts down.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2023, 05:36:21 pm
content: I almost always find myself using Rapid, unless it's something less common, which they don't always stock. JPR Electronics are also useful, for cheap resistors and odd bits and pieces. Like Rapid, they have a clearance section and that's often my first port of call

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2023, 05:40:21 pm
content: Not come across JPR before, will take a look... thanks

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2023, 06:28:55 pm
content: CPC are still, I think, the lowest minimum free order threshold at £20 ex vat (irrc it's £4.99 handling and postage below that). Their prices are often a fair bit cheaper for the same item compared to their Farnell parent, and they tend to have lower mininum quantity too. Stock range is smaller than Farnell but should still be ok for the basic stuff. I always price compare between the two - savings can be considerable.P.S. They take Paypal for fast checkout too.

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2023, 09:29:19 pm
content: Still use RS and Farnell quite a bit, but prices are getting much worse with them both over time. And RS is getting particularly bad with order sizes, the minimum quantity on items keeps seeming to rise. used to be you could often get just 5 of something*, now for most things* you're looking at 20 minimum quantity. Farnell still does small quantity, but delivery is very pricey unless you bunch up about £50 of stuff over time before ordering.I haven't used Mouser or Digikey so much, I don't know if you get import problems where border goons delay or try to thieve taxes on larger total value packages from them, because I do know they always ship direct from the USA where RS and Farnell ship from UK warehouses. Digikey has hugely expensive shipping if you order below the free delivery threshold, someone I know got charged £18 delivery for a single £4 part.Rapid uses UK warehouses, and so doesPimoroniwho are good for sensor breakout boards (adafruit, sparkfun...) and other more integrated parts (arduino, pi, kits of common parts...) but don't really have much selection of ICs and other lower level components.*mid-range ICs, not the really pricecy things which are still sold as each or cheap passives that are always in 50s or 100s

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 08:25:12 pm
content: Thanks guys, there are a couple there I'd forgotten about!However, I've spent 2 or 3 hours today looking for 2, just 2 capacitors, and I still haven't found exactly what I need!I've tried most of the companies mentioned above and of course the one's I'd tried already, and it's either they have 1 but not the other or the package is too big!! Except for rapid, who have both, size ok BUT, they are Chinese brands!! Arrrrgh!!So, one I've heard of, Suntan, the other not, JB. Does anyone have any experience of using these?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 08:42:52 pm
content: What are you looking for?

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 09:16:58 pm
content: A 1.0µf 160 vdc film type, x 4, and 100µf 63V, electrolytic, axial leads, x 2. Voltage rating can be higher but not lower on both. Sounds simple doesn't it, that's what I thought!

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 09:35:04 pm
content: Another for the list, cricklewood electronicshttps://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/.Whilst not the cheapest as there a retailer not a trade supplier,they can be useful for obscure bits and pieces.

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 09:35:44 pm
content: Anything on tme.eu fit the bill? I might be ordering some stuff from them this week and could add them and post them on.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 09:43:33 pm
content: Quote from: unknownparticle on March 28, 2023, 09:16:58 pmI don't see a problem with the 1uF film caps (you didn't indicate film type) you might have to go to a higher voltage, Edit:(Panasonic, Wima, Vishay, Epcos etc)...https://cpc.farnell.com/c/electronic-electrical-components/capacitors/film-capacitors/prl/results?capacitance=1ufFor the electrolytics, the axial bit is probably your problem, although CPC have a decent quality Vishay one...https://cpc.farnell.com/vishay/mal202138101e3/capacitor-100uf-63v/dp/CA05093Alternatively get radial ones (Panasonic) and bend and sleeve one of the leads...https://cpc.farnell.com/w/c/electronic-electrical-components/capacitors/aluminium-electrolytic-capacitors/leaded-aluminium-electrolytic-capacitors?brand=panasonic&capacitance=100uf&voltage-dc-=63v&capacitor-terminals=radial-leadedI don't really understand what your search difficulty is.

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 09:49:41 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on March 28, 2023, 09:35:04 pmYes but they look like Chinese! I really would prefer European or US makes.

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 09:50:37 pm
content: Quote from: jc101 on March 28, 2023, 09:35:44 pmthanks, but they don't have the film type.

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 09:59:52 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on March 28, 2023, 09:43:33 pmThanks but I've already been through their lists and they do have the Electrolytics but not the film. It's not the material of the film as it's just general purpose application, but it must be axial and no more than 10mm diam, non of theirs are suitable. Once I put all the factors into the search the options are very limited or not suitable. The radial types that are suitable value and voltage wise just won't fit in the location available.As I mentioned, so far only Rapid have suitable types for both but, Chinese brands! In my experience, not only are capacitors generally the least reliable of all electronic components, Chinese brands are the worst! If I have no choice I will have to go that route, I would just prefer not to!

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 10:04:51 pm
content: I would just form / extend the leads. It sounds as if you're repairing something old with old fashioned packages.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 10:25:21 pm
content: Quote from: unknownparticle on March 28, 2023, 09:59:52 pmI was repairing a 50 year old Tektronix power supply the other day and it had a 2.5mm axial electrolytic cap which could not be replaced with anything larger because of assembly constraints. Luckily the cap measured OK. Go find me a 2.5mm diameter axial 47uF cap today, 50 years ago they were made no issues.

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 11:11:52 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on March 28, 2023, 10:04:51 pmYes, it's an old Farnell bench power supply, the caps are leaky and running hot. Due to the board layout and the proximity of the case outer cover no other package will work.

author: unknownparticle
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 11:13:08 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on March 28, 2023, 10:25:21 pmYup, same sort of problem for me!

author: boB
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2023, 11:51:10 pm
content: Quote from: unknownparticle on March 28, 2023, 09:49:41 pmI don't think you will find any decent capacitors made in the US anymore.Maybe none at all. The good stuff is made overseas anyway.boB