Philips & BC Components Capacitors — Legacy Stock & Vishay Replacements
Philips Components became BC Components, now part of Vishay Intertechnology. Specap stocks original Philips and BC Components capacitors and provides cross-reference matching to current Vishay BC equivalents for maintenance and production requirements.
Legacy Philips/BC Inventory
Access to remaining original Philips and BC Components-branded capacitors for legacy equipment maintenance and repair.
Vishay BC Replacements
Cross-reference matching to current Vishay BC product lines that continue the Philips/BC Components legacy.
Multi-Technology Coverage
Support for Philips/BC electrolytic, film, and ceramic capacitor families across industrial and consumer applications.
Fast Shipping
Same-day shipment support on eligible in-stock items with expedited delivery options.
The History of Philips Components & BC Components
Philips Components was the passive components division of Royal Philips Electronics, the Dutch multinational founded in 1891. For decades, Philips was one of the world's largest manufacturers of electrolytic, film, and ceramic capacitors, producing components at factories across Europe — particularly in the Netherlands, Germany, and Hungary.
In 1999, Philips divested its passive components division, which was renamed BC Components (short for “Beyond Components”). BC Components continued manufacturing the same product lines under the new brand name before being acquired by Vishay Intertechnology, where many of the original Philips product families continue today as Vishay BC.
This corporate lineage means that engineers and procurement teams may encounter three different brand names — Philips, BC Components, or Vishay BC — on capacitors that share the same part number families and specifications. Specap can help navigate this transition and source the correct replacement regardless of which brand name appears on the original component.
Popular Philips / BC Components Capacitor Series
| Series | Type | Common Applications | Current Vishay Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAL / 2222 Series | Aluminum Electrolytic | Industrial power supplies, telecom equipment | Vishay BC MAL2 series |
| MKT / MKP Series | Metallized Film | Audio, filtering, coupling, EMI suppression | Vishay MKT / MKP series |
| 2222 059 Series | Snap-In Electrolytic | Inverters, welding equipment, motor drives | Vishay BC 059 PLL-SI |
| 2222 071 Series | Screw-Terminal Electrolytic | Industrial drives, UPS systems, solar inverters | Vishay BC 071 PLL-ST |
| KP / KS Series | Polypropylene/Polystyrene Film | Precision circuits, audio equipment, RF filtering | Vishay MKP1837 / KP series |
Navigating the Philips Part Number System
Philips used a structured part numbering system starting with 2222 followed by a three-digit series code. For example, 2222 071 36222 indicates a screw-terminal electrolytic capacitor (071 series) with specific capacitance and voltage parameters encoded in the remaining digits.
When transitioning to Vishay BC, many part numbers retained the same structure with a “MAL” prefix or the original 2222 format. Our engineering team can decode any Philips or BC Components part number and match it to the current Vishay equivalent. Submit a cross-reference request or request a quote directly.
Industries That Need Philips / BC Components Replacements
- European industrial equipment — Machines and systems manufactured in Europe before 2005 frequently specified Philips or BC Components capacitors. Industrial maintenance programs need compatible replacements.
- Power electronics — Inverters, drives, and power supplies built with Philips snap-in and screw-terminal electrolytics require exact-fit replacements for reliable operation.
- Telecommunications — Legacy telecom infrastructure with Philips electrolytic capacitors in power conditioning and filtering stages needs ongoing maintenance support.
- Audio & professional equipment — Philips MKT and MKP film capacitors were widely used in professional audio equipment, mixing consoles, and broadcast systems.
- Renewable energy — Early solar inverters and wind turbine power electronics used Philips/BC Components electrolytics that are now due for replacement in aging renewable energy installations.
Why Source Philips / BC Components from Specap?
Specap's 40+ years of obsolete capacitor sourcing experience includes deep familiarity with the Philips → BC Components → Vishay transition:
- Inventory of original Philips and BC Components-branded capacitors
- Expert navigation of the Philips/BC/Vishay part number lineage
- Cross-reference to current Vishay BC and alternative manufacturer equivalents
- 100% electrical testing and authenticity verification
- Global sourcing through European and North American supply networks
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Philips capacitors still made?
Philips Components was renamed to BC Components in 1999 and later acquired by Vishay Intertechnology. While original Philips-branded capacitors are no longer manufactured, Specap stocks legacy inventory and provides Vishay BC cross-reference replacements.
What is the relationship between Philips, BC Components, and Vishay?
Philips Components became BC Components in 1999 when Philips divested its passive components division. Vishay Intertechnology subsequently acquired BC Components. Many former Philips/BC product lines continue under the Vishay BC brand.
Where can I find Philips capacitor replacements?
Specap provides cross-reference matching from Philips and BC Components part numbers to current Vishay equivalents. We also maintain original Philips/BC stock for legacy equipment maintenance.
Can you source BC Components capacitors?
Yes. We source both legacy BC Components-branded capacitors and current Vishay BC equivalents, including electrolytic, film, and ceramic types for industrial and consumer electronics applications.
Related Sourcing Paths
Use these pages to find replacements, request quotes, and source legacy capacitors.