Vishay Semiconductor Opto Division TLHF4600

Overview

TLHF4600 from Vishay Semiconductors is a high-intensity soft orange AlInGaP LED in a standard 3 mm (T-1) diffused plastic package, with luminous intensity of 10–26 mcd at 10 mA, dominant wavelength 598–611 nm, and forward voltage 2.0–2.6 V at 20 mA. It delivers uniform visual appearance via luminous intensity binning and serves as an off/on indicator or status light in industrial control panels.

For engineers reviewing the TLHF4600 datasheet, TLHF4600 pinout, TLHF4600 application, or TLHF4600 equivalent, key selection criteria include its ±60° viewing angle, 30 mA absolute maximum DC forward current, 100 °C junction temperature rating, and compatibility with DC and pulsed drive circuits in space-constrained indicator designs.

Technical Context

The TLHF4600 uses AlInGaP-on-GaAs epitaxial technology to achieve high-efficiency soft orange emission with dominant wavelength tightly binned between 598 nm and 611 nm. Its 3 mm diffused package provides a wide ±60° half-intensity viewing angle and mechanical tolerance control for consistent optical alignment in front-panel assemblies.

Rated for operation from –40 °C to +100 °C ambient, the device supports stable luminous output under thermal stress, with thermal resistance junction-to-ambient at 400 K/W and maximum power dissipation of 80 mW at ≤60 °C ambient. Reverse voltage is limited to 5 V, and junction capacitance measures 15 pF at 0 V and 1 MHz.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TLHF4600 is a two-terminal through-hole LED in a standard Ø 3 mm (T-1) diffused plastic package per drawing 6.544-5255.01-4, with cathode indicated by flat side and shorter lead. Package dimensions: body diameter 3.2 ± 0.15 mm, length 5.8 ± 0.3 mm, lead spacing 2.54 mm nominal.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LED indicator applications.

Compared with TLHF4601 and APL3015SYC, the TLHF4600 provides optimal balance of visibility, binning consistency, and through-hole manufacturability for legacy and cost-sensitive panel indicator designs - especially where moderate brightness and mechanical robustness are prioritized over peak output or miniaturization.

Availability

TLHF4600 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for status indicators, front-panel legend lights, off/on power indicators, and maintenance access lights requiring stable component supply, consistent luminous intensity binning, and industrial-grade temperature resilience.

Supply support for TLHF4600 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Vishay Intertechnology is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and passive components, specializing in high-reliability optoelectronics, power MOSFETs, resistors, and capacitors for industrial, automotive, and computing markets.

The TLHF4600 belongs to Vishay's standard 3 mm LED product line, engineered for general-purpose visual indication where color accuracy, intensity uniformity, and mechanical durability are essential in harsh or long-life applications.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous forward current rating for TLHF4600?

The TLHF4600 has an absolute maximum DC forward current of 30 mA at ambient temperatures ≤60 °C. Exceeding this value risks accelerated lumen depreciation and reduced lifetime. For reliable 24/7 operation, design with ≤20 mA typical forward current, using the 2.0–2.6 V forward voltage range at that condition to calculate series resistor value. Thermal derating is required above 60 °C ambient.

Does TLHF4600 require current-limiting circuitry?

Yes, TLHF4600 requires a series current-limiting resistor or constant-current driver. With forward voltage ranging from 2.0 V to 2.6 V at 20 mA and no internal regulation, direct connection to voltage sources will cause thermal runaway. For a 5 V supply, a 120 Ω ±5% resistor yields ~20 mA; for 3.3 V, a 56 Ω resistor is appropriate. Always verify power dissipation in the resistor under worst-case VF and supply tolerance.

How is luminous intensity binned for TLHF4600?

TLHF4600 is categorized into luminous intensity groups (R–Z) per the datasheet table, with group R covering 10–20 mcd and group S covering 16–32 mcd. Each bag contains LEDs from only one intensity group - no mixing occurs. The TLHF4600 part number corresponds to group R or S depending on order specification; actual shipped group is marked on packaging. This ensures uniform appearance in multi-LED arrays without post-assembly sorting.

What is the viewing angle specification for TLHF4600?

The TLHF4600 has an angle of half intensity of ±60°, meaning luminous intensity drops to 50% of its axial value at 60° off-center in all directions. This wide viewing cone is achieved via its diffused epoxy lens and spherical dome geometry (R1.4 mm radius). It eliminates narrow "hot spot" beams, making the TLHF4600 ideal for applications where operators view indicators from oblique angles.

Can TLHF4600 be used in outdoor or high-humidity environments?

The TLHF4600 operates from –40 °C to +100 °C and has a storage temperature range of –55 °C to +100 °C, but its plastic package is not hermetically sealed. While suitable for indoor industrial enclosures with IP54-rated housings, it is not rated for direct outdoor exposure or condensing humidity. For such environments, consider conformal coating or supplemental gasketing - and always validate performance under real-world thermal cycling and moisture ingress conditions.