PIC16C74B-04E/P - 8-bit OTP MCU, 7KB EPROM, 4MHz, 40-PDIP | Microchip
MPN: PIC16C74B-04E/P ✗ End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.9 | $8.90 |
| 10 | $7.95 | $79.50 |
| 100 | $6.85 | $685.00 |
| 500 | $5.95 | $2,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.4 | $5,400.00 |
PIC16C74B-04E/P Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path, optimized for deterministic control of low-to-medium complexity embedded systems. PIC microcontrollers belong to the Harvard-architecture RISC family of MCUs, a category that sits within the broader microcontroller IC taxonomy (MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor). The PIC16C mid-range family is upwards compatible with the PIC16C5X baseline family, allowing code reuse across generations.
Key features of the PIC16C74B include wide operating voltage from 2.0 V to 6.0 V, 25 mA source/sink current per I/O, and low-power operation with typical standby current of 15 µA at 5 V/4 MHz and 1 µA at 3 V/32 kHz. The device supports commercial, industrial, and extended temperature ranges, making it suitable for cost-sensitive industrial and consumer designs requiring robust digital I/O and integrated analog.
Technically, the PIC16C74B uses a 14-bit instruction word and a Harvard bus architecture with separate program and data paths, enabling single-cycle instruction fetch and decode. Its 35 single-word instruction set simplifies assembly development, while the integrated peripherals reduce external component count for typical control loops, sensor interfacing, and communication bridging.
Typical applications include industrial control panels, motor control, sensor signal acquisition, embedded communications bridges, and consumer appliance controllers. The wide temperature range and EPROM-based program storage make it well suited for mature production runs that value supply longevity and field-proven firmware stability.
When designing with the PIC16C74B-04E/P, note that the OTP EPROM cannot be erased, so code is final after programming - consider the PIC16F74 flash variant for development and field updates. Decoupling capacitors of 0.1 µF should be placed close to VDD/VSS pins, and unused I/O should be configured as outputs low to minimize power consumption.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16C74B family variants, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, helping engineers accelerate selection and sourcing.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16C74B-04E/P — 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 PIC16C74B-04E/P (same form factor and footprint) — differing in A/D Converter, Core, Instruction Execution Time, Mounting Type, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16C74B-04/PQ
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74B-04/PQ
✓ In Stock
$7.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16C74B-04I/L
✓ In Stock
$2.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F74-I/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F74-E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C73B-04I/SP
✓ In Stock
$4.75 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F877-04E/P
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16C74B-04E/P Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | PIC16C mid-range, 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set | 35 single-word instructions |
| Instruction Execution Time | 200 ns (4 MHz clock) |
| Program Memory Type | OTP EPROM |
| Program Memory Size | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM Size | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | None |
| Number of I/O | 33 |
| A/D Converter | 8 channels, 8-bit resolution |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit (TMR0/TMR1/TMR2) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 2 modules (CCP) |
| Serial Interfaces | 1 x SSP (SPI/I²C), 1 x USART |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 6.0 V |
| Operating Frequency | DC to 4 MHz |
| I/O Sink/Source Current | 25 mA / 25 mA |
| Standby Current | < 1 µA typical at 3 V / 32 kHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (Extended, E suffix) |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP (0.600 in / 15.24 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole |
| MSL Level | Not applicable (through-hole PDIP) |
| Speed Grade Suffix | 04 = 4 MHz maximum |
PIC16C74B-04E/P Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage input |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / A/D channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / A/D channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / A/D channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF- — PORTA bit 3 / A/D channel 3 / A/D VREF- |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / A/D channel 4 / SSP slave select |
| Pin 8 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 9 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / low-voltage programming |
| Pin 12 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 15 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 16 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 17 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 |
| Pin 18 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 |
| Pin 19 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SSP clock (SPI/I²C) |
| Pin 20 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SSP data in (SPI) / I²C data |
| Pin 21 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SSP data out |
| Pin 22 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 23 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 24 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator output / clock out |
| Pin 25 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator input / clock in |
| Pin 26 | RD0 — PORTD bit 0 |
| Pin 27 | RD1 — PORTD bit 1 |
| Pin 28 | RD2 — PORTD bit 2 |
| Pin 29 | RD3 — PORTD bit 3 |
| Pin 30 | RD4 — PORTD bit 4 |
| Pin 31 | RD5 — PORTD bit 5 |
| Pin 32 | RD6 — PORTD bit 6 |
| Pin 33 | RD7 — PORTD bit 7 |
| Pin 34 | VSS — Logic ground |
| Pin 35 | VDD — Logic supply voltage |
| Pin 36 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / parallel slave port read / A/D channel 5 |
| Pin 37 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / parallel slave port write / A/D channel 6 |
| Pin 38 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / parallel slave port chip select / A/D channel 7 |
| Pin 39 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 40 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16C74B-04E/P is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Control Panels, Motor Control and PWM Drive, Sensor Signal Acquisition, Embedded Communication Bridges, Consumer Appliance Controllers, Hobbyist and Educational Projects.
Industrial Control Panels
The PIC16C74B-04E/P fits industrial control panels because its 33 digital I/O pins drive relays, contactors, and indicator LEDs directly with 25 mA source/sink per pin, eliminating driver transistors in many circuits. Its 8-channel 8-bit A/D reads potentiometers, 4-20 mA loop shunts, and temperature sensors with sufficient resolution for HMI feedback loops. The Extended -40 °C to +125 °C temperature rating supports outdoor cabinet and factory-floor installations where ambient swings are common. Pair the part with the PIC16F74-I/P during development to enable flash-based firmware iteration, then transition to PIC16C74B-04E/P for production runs that have locked firmware.
Recommended
Motor Control and PWM Drive
The PIC16C74B-04E/P suits brushed DC motor control and small stepper drive because it integrates two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules generating 10-bit PWM at 4 MHz to drive MOSFET gate drivers. Its 16-bit TMR1 provides precise period measurement for closed-loop tachometer feedback, and the 8-bit A/D monitors motor current via a shunt amplifier. The wide 2.0 V to 6.0 V supply range supports both 3.3 V logic and 5 V drive electronics. For higher-performance BLDC control, migrate to PIC18F family; for cost-sensitive brushed applications the PIC16C74B-04E/P is sufficient.
Recommended
Sensor Signal Acquisition
The PIC16C74B-04E/P integrates an 8-channel 8-bit A/D converter with 4 µs typical conversion time at 4 MHz, enough for thermocouple conditioning, photodiode readout, and process-variable scanning at low rates. The 192-byte RAM buffers sample windows before UART transmission to a host, and the SSP module supports I²C sensor expansion (e.g., external ADCs, digital temperature ICs) for applications needing more analog channels. The Extended temperature rating allows installation near process heat sources. For higher-precision sensor systems, consider PIC16F1765 or PIC18F family MCUs with 10-/12-bit A/D converters.
Recommended
Embedded Communication Bridges
The PIC16C74B-04E/P serves as a protocol-translation bridge because it combines an SSP module (configurable as SPI master/slave or I²C master/slave) with a separate USART supporting RS-232/RS-485 framing. This enables UART-to-I²C, SPI-to-UART, and Modbus-to-sensor-bus gateways in a single chip. The 35-instruction RISC core keeps translation latency low, and the 4 MIPS throughput handles message rates typical of building-automation and access-control networks. Pair with an external RS-485 transceiver for industrial multi-drop networks.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controllers
The PIC16C74B-04E/P fits consumer appliance controllers (washing machines, dishwashers, small kitchen appliances) because its 33 I/O pins interface keypads, seven-segment displays, buzzer drivers, and triac control signals without external muxes. The 25 mA per-pin drive eliminates some relay drivers, and the 1 µA typical standby current at 3 V/32 kHz supports battery-backed real-time-clock operation during power-down. The OTP EPROM locks firmware at production, preventing post-sale code tampering in consumer markets. The Extended temperature rating supports under-counter and outdoor installations.
Recommended
Hobbyist and Educational Projects
The PIC16C74B-04E/P is widely available through distributors and educational channels because of its mature 35-instruction PIC16C mid-range architecture, which is well documented in textbooks and online tutorials. The 40-pin PDIP through-hole package is breadboard-friendly, allowing students and hobbyists to prototype without SMD rework tools. Its USART, SPI/I²C, A/D, PWM, and 33 I/O give exposure to nearly every embedded peripheral category in a single chip. For learners, the PIC16F84A and PIC16F877A are typical alternatives; the PIC16C74B-04E/P provides a larger peripheral set for advanced learning projects.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16C74B-04E/P — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16C74B-04/P | PIC16F74-I/P | PIC16F74-E/P | PIC16F877-04E/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 40-pin PDIP | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same | 40-pin PDIP - same |
| Program Memory | 7 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB OTP EPROM | 7 KB flash | 7 KB flash | 14 KB flash |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 192 bytes | 368 bytes |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix) | 0 °C to +70 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C (I suffix) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix) | -40 °C to +125 °C (E suffix) |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 |
| A/D Converter | 8 ch × 8-bit | 8 ch × 8-bit | 8 ch × 8-bit | 8 ch × 8-bit | 8 ch × 10-bit |
| Memory Type | OTP EPROM (one-time) | OTP EPROM | Flash (reprogrammable) | Flash (reprogrammable) | Flash (reprogrammable) |
| Lifecycle Status | NRND | NRND | Active | Active | Active |
Key Differentiators
- Mature PIC16C mid-range architecture with extensive documentation (vs PIC16F74-I/P)
- Wider operating voltage range than typical flash PICs (vs PIC16F74-I/P)
- Larger program memory than PIC16C73B family (vs PIC16C73B-04I/SP)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD = 5 V and 4 MHz oscillator with all peripherals enabled and I/O sourcing 25 mA, total current draw is approximately 15-20 mA during active execution and < 1 µA in sleep mode. Place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pin 11, pin 32) and a 10 µF bulk capacitor near the MCU supply. AVDD/AVSS should be tied to VDD/VSS respectively with a ferrite bead or 10 Ω resistor plus 0.1 µF cap for A/D noise isolation. Brown-out reset should be enabled in the configuration bits for reliable cold-start behavior at 2.0-6.0 V operation.
The 40-pin PDIP package has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of approximately 70 °C/W, which is acceptable for typical MCU workloads below 100 mW. The Extended temperature suffix 'E' guarantees -40 °C to +125 °C operation; derating is not normally required for through-hole PDIP. If the part is mounted in a sealed enclosure with limited airflow, ensure ambient at the package does not exceed 85 °C to maintain margin. At maximum oscillator frequency and all peripherals active, internal dissipation is well under 50 mW; no heatsink is required.
Layout guidelines: (1) Place the 4 MHz crystal or resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 (pins 25/24) and route ground side of crystal load capacitors directly to a single VSS via; (2) keep analog traces (PORTE) physically apart from digital switching signals (PORTD, USART) to minimize A/D crosstalk; (3) MCLR/VPP (pin 1) requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD and a 100 nF decoupling cap if using ICSP; (4) unused I/O should be configured as outputs low to minimize current consumption; (5) the parallel slave port pins RE0/RE1/RE2 should be tied to known states if PSP is unused.
Common pitfalls: (1) The '04' speed suffix limits clock to 4 MHz - do not overclock to PIC16F74's 20 MHz, the OTP EPROM timing will not support it; (2) OTP EPROM cannot be erased, so use PIC16F74-I/P for development and lock firmware only after final code is verified; (3) configuration word must be set explicitly for oscillator type (HS/RC/XT), watchdog timer, brown-out reset, and code protection - default unprogrammed configuration may not match design intent; (4) the A/D converter requires ADCON1 register configuration to enable analog pins; digital I/O on PORTE must be disabled before sampling; (5) ICD debugging requires dedicated RB6/RB7 pins which are also general I/O.
Compliance Information
RoHS / lead-free status was not provided in the Verified Web Data and is not stated on the Microchip product page for the PIC16C74B family. PIC16C74B is a legacy OTP part; customers should request the latest RoHS / material declaration directly from Microchip. AEC-Q100 is not applicable for non-automotive-spec'd MCUs.
