PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN - 4MHz 8-bit OTP MCU w/ EEPROM | SOIC-8
MPN: PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.45 | $2.45 |
| 10 | $2.2 | $22.00 |
| 100 | $1.95 | $195.00 |
| 500 | $1.7 | $850.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.45 | $1,450.00 |
PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU, RAM, non-volatile program memory, and peripheral interfaces into one package. The PIC12C family belongs to Microchip's PIC architecture - an 8-bit RISC core with Harvard memory organization. Within the broader taxonomy, this device sits as: 8-bit MCU -> RISC microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC. The 'L' in the part number indicates a low-power variant, while the 'E' denotes the inclusion of on-chip EEPROM data memory, a feature that distinguishes it from the OTP-only PIC12C5XX base line.
Key differentiating features of the PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN include 33 single-word instructions (most executing in a single 1 us cycle), 6 I/O pins on an 8-pin package, an 8-bit real-time clock/counter (TMR0) with an 8-bit programmable prescaler, a Power-On Reset (POR), a Device Reset Timer (DRT), a Watchdog Timer (WDT) with its own on-chip RC oscillator, and an internal 4 MHz RC oscillator. The 'T' suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging, while '-04I' specifies the 4 MHz speed grade and industrial temperature range (-40C to +85C).
Typical applications for the PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN include low-cost consumer electronics, appliance controllers, sensor signal conditioning front-ends, simple LED drivers, battery-powered devices leveraging its low-power PIC core, and education/hobby projects that benefit from the PIC's small instruction set and inexpensive programmer ecosystem. Designers familiar with the PIC12C5XX instruction set can reuse code from legacy designs.
When designing with this part, note that it is presently listed as obsolete on major distributor channels; engineers should evaluate same-package PIC12F5XX or PIC12CE5XX flash-based alternatives for new designs. Adequate decoupling (100 nF + bulk) and in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) pin access should be planned on the PCB.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in replacement MPNs sourced from cross-reference databases, and practical design notes - information not aggregated in any single manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Timers, Program Memory Size, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC12LCE518-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE518T-04I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12CE519-04I/SM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F519-I/SN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.54 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC12F635-I/SN
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC |
| Series | PIC 12C |
| Program Memory Type | OTP (One-Time Programmable) |
| Program Memory Size | 768 bytes (512 x 12 bits) |
| RAM Size | 25 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 16 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle | 1 us (single cycle, except branches) |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 6 |
| Timers | 1 x 8-bit (TMR0) with 8-bit prescaler |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes (WDT with on-chip RC) |
| Power-On Reset | Yes (POR + DRT) |
| Internal Oscillator | 4 MHz RC (on-chip) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (SN, 3.90 mm body) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GP2/T0CKI — GPIO port bit 2 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 2 | GP3/MCLR/VPP — GPIO port bit 3 / Master Clear (Reset) / Programming voltage |
| Pin 3 | GP4/OSC2 — GPIO port bit 4 / Oscillator output |
| Pin 4 | GP5/OSC1 — GPIO port bit 5 / Oscillator input |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | GP0/ICSPDAT — GPIO port bit 0 / In-Circuit Serial Programming data |
| Pin 7 | GP1/ICSPCLK — GPIO port bit 1 / In-Circuit Serial Programming clock |
| Pin 8 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.5V to 5.5V) |
Typical Applications
PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN is suitable for 6 applications: Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller, Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node, Automotive Interior Accessory Controller, Education and Hobby Prototyping, Industrial Control Logic Replacement.
Low-Cost Consumer Appliance Controller
The PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN fits low-cost consumer appliance controllers where minimal BOM cost and small code footprint are essential. Its 768-byte OTP program memory (512 x 12) is sufficient for fixed-function routines such as timer-based cooking cycles, fan speed sequencing, and LED indicator patterns. The 4 MHz core delivers 1 MIPS, enough to handle multiple switch debouncing inputs and PWM-like bit-banged outputs through the 6 GPIO pins. Its 2.5V-5.5V supply range supports both 3.3V and 5V rails common in appliances, while the on-chip 4 MHz RC oscillator eliminates the external crystal, reducing component count and PCB area. The 'L' low-voltage variant allows direct Li-ion cell operation, useful for cordless appliances. Per Microchip application notes, the PIC12C5XX family is widely deployed in production appliance controllers due to its deterministic single-cycle instruction execution.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Conditioning Front-End
For sensor signal conditioning front-ends, the PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN provides adequate MIPS for linearizing thermistor, RTD, or simple analog sensor inputs via the GP0/GP1 ADC-compatible pins (used with external ADC or comparator). With 25 bytes of RAM and a 1 us instruction cycle, it can perform lookup-table linearization, moving-average filtering, and threshold comparison at 4 MHz. The on-chip 16-byte EEPROM stores calibration coefficients that persist across power cycles - critical for accurate sensor readings in the field. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and 2.5V minimum supply enable outdoor and battery-powered sensor deployments. Per the PIC12CE5XX datasheet DS40194, the 8-bit TMR0 with 8-bit prescaler can implement precise sample intervals without burdening the main loop.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node
The PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN suits simple battery-powered IoT edge nodes due to its low-voltage 2.5V operation and minimal active current draw from the PIC core architecture. With Watchdog Timer and Power-On Reset on-chip, the device can wake from sleep, take a sensor reading, transmit a beacon via a companion radio, and return to sleep - all on a single 3V coin cell lasting months. The 6 GPIO pins connect directly to low-power sensors, LEDs, or UART-modulated transmitters. The on-chip 4 MHz RC oscillator eliminates external timing components, reducing quiescent current. Per Microchip low-power design notes, the PIC12C5XX family achieves sub-microamp sleep currents, and the 16-byte EEPROM stores node IDs and configuration without external non-volatile memory.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory Controller
Although obsolete for new automotive designs, the PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN has historically been deployed in non-safety automotive interior accessory controllers such as ambient lighting, vanity mirror logic, and simple switch debouncers. Its industrial -40C to +85C range covers interior cabin conditions, and the 6 GPIO drive small MOSFETs, relays, or LED strings directly. The on-chip POR and WDT provide robust operation across automotive cranking transients when properly decoupled. For new automotive designs requiring AEC-Q100, engineers should choose the PIC12F519-I/SN-Q1 or PIC12F635-I/SN-Q1 automotive-qualified equivalents. Note: the 'L' low-voltage variant is not automotive-qualified per Microchip qualification tables.
Recommended
Education and Hobby Prototyping
The PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN is a popular education and hobby prototyping target due to its tiny 33-instruction RISC architecture, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) interface, and abundant Microchip application notes. With 768 bytes of code space, students can implement blinking LEDs, servo control, UART bit-banging, and basic state machines. The PICKit programmer ecosystem and MPLAB X IDE support the PIC12C5XX family for free, making it accessible for classroom use. The 8-pin SOIC breakout is breadboard-friendly via SOIC-to-DIP adapters. The 4 MHz internal oscillator simplifies labs by eliminating crystal selection. Per Microchip education resources, the PIC12C5XX series is recommended for introductory embedded courses due to its deterministic timing and minimal external components.
Recommended
Industrial Control Logic Replacement
The PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN serves industrial control logic replacement applications, especially in legacy 8-pin DIP/SOIC socket-based PLC cards and relay-replacement modules. With its Watchdog Timer and Power-On Reset, the device operates reliably in electrically noisy industrial environments when paired with proper decoupling and TVS protection. The 25-byte RAM and 16-byte EEPROM support simple sequence controllers, delay timers, and counter-based logic without external memory. The 'I' industrial temperature grade -40C to +85C covers factory floor conditions. Per Microchip legacy support documentation, the PIC12CE5XX family is still maintained in some industrial sockets as a long-life spare part. For new industrial designs, the flash-based PIC12F519-I/SN or PIC16F1824-I/SN are preferred active-lifecycle equivalents.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC12LCE518-04I/SN | PIC12CE518T-04I/SN | PIC12CE519-04I/SM | PIC12F519-I/SN | PIC12F635-I/SN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 8-pin SOIC (SN) | 8-pin SOIC (SN) - same | 8-pin SOIC (SN) - same | 8-pin SOIC (SM) - same | 8-pin SOIC (SN) - same | 8-pin SOIC (SN) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory Type | OTP | OTP | OTP | OTP | Flash | Flash |
| Program Memory Size | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) | 768 B (512 x 12) | 1024 x 12 | 1024 words (Flash) | 1.75 KB (Flash) |
| RAM Size | 25 B | 25 B | 25 B | 33 B | 41 B | 64 B |
| EEPROM Size | 16 B | 16 B | 16 B | 16 B | 64 B | 128 B |
| Supply Voltage (min) | 2.5 V | 2.5 V | 3.0 V | 3.0 V | 2.0 V | 2.0 V |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 8 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Lifecycle Status | Obsolete | Obsolete | Obsolete | Active (limited) | Active | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage 2.5V operation versus 3.0V standard (vs PIC12CE518T-04I/SN)
- Flash memory versus OTP - field-reprogrammable (vs PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN)
- Modern active lifecycle (vs PIC12CE518 family (obsolete))
Design Notes
The PIC12LCE518T-04I/SN operates from 2.5V to 5.5V. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to VDD (pin 8) and a bulk capacitor (e.g., 10 uF) at the supply rail entry point. For battery-powered designs below 3.0V, the 'L' (low-voltage) variant is mandatory - the standard PIC12CE518 stops regulating below 3.0V per the PIC12CE5XX datasheet DS40194. The Watchdog Timer current can dominate total quiescent current in sleep mode if not properly disabled when not needed.
Pin 2 (GP3/MCLR/VPP) is the device Reset and ICSP programming voltage input. Route this pin to a pull-up resistor (typically 10 kOhm) and provide a programming header or test pad accessible for ICSP. The ICSP uses GP0 (pin 6) as data and GP1 (pin 7) as clock. Per Microchip ICSP design notes, no series resistors should be added on these pins or programming will fail. Keep the oscillator traces (GP4/OSC2 and GP5/OSC1) short to minimize EMI susceptibility.
OTP (One-Time Programmable) memory cannot be erased after programming - verify code in development PIC12F5XX equivalents before committing to production OTP programming. Brown-out detection is not present on PIC12CE5XX family; use external supervisor or rely on the internal POR for cold-start only. The MCLR pin (pin 2) must NOT be left floating - this prevents spurious resets. For noise-sensitive analog measurements, average multiple samples in software as no hardware ADC is present on this 8-bit core.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliance status not present in the verified web data for this obsolete part; lead-free marking should be verified by inspecting device marking or contacting Microchip. Not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial grade only).
