PIC16F726-E/SO - 8-Bit 20MHz 14KB Flash MCU 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F726-E/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.84 | $3.84 |
| 10 | $3.43 | $34.30 |
| 100 | $2.93 | $293.00 |
| 500 | $2.59 | $1,295.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.31 | $2,310.00 |
PIC16F726-E/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a small computer-on-a-chip built around an 8-bit data path. Within the broader taxonomy it sits below 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs and above simple state machines. PIC microcontrollers use a RISC Harvard architecture (separate program and data buses) optimized for deterministic instruction execution, and the PIC16F series sits in the mid-range family: more capable than the PIC10/12/16 base line, but smaller than the PIC18/dsPIC parts. Power management ICs and discrete voltage regulators typically feed the MCU; in this hierarchy the PIC16F726 belongs to "8-bit MCU -> mid-range MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded processor."
Key features include 14 KB Flash, 368 bytes RAM, 256 bytes EEPROM, 25 digital I/O pins, a 12-channel 8-bit ADC, two 8-bit timers plus one 16-bit timer, and a 20 MHz internal oscillator. The mTouch capacitive-touch sensing module allows touch-button or slider interfaces without external touch ICs, while nanoWatt XLP technology reduces sleep current to the nanoamp range - critical for battery-powered applications where standby life matters more than peak compute.
Architecturally the device uses a 14-bit instruction word optimized for C and assembly code density. Internal peripherals are mapped via Special Function Registers (SFRs) and INTCON-style priority logic supports a baseline set of vectored interrupts. The EPP/ECCP (Enhanced PWM) modules support half-bridge, full-bridge, and programmable dead-band control - enabling direct MOSFET driving for motor control without external gate-driver logic.
Typical applications include consumer appliances, LED lighting controllers, battery-powered sensor nodes, capacitive touch user interfaces, and small motor-control boards. The wide 2.5V to 5.5V supply range and XLP sleep modes also suit remote controls, thermostats, and IoT edge nodes.
When designing, pay attention to the difference between "-I/" industrial (-40C to +85C) and "-E/" extended (-40C to +125C) temperature grades. The "E" suffix guarantees operation across automotive temperature extremes, while the "I" grade stops at 85C - pick "E" if the product will see under-dash or outdoor conditions.
This page synthesizes Microchip datasheet excerpts, distributor pricing tiers, drop-in alternatives, and application-specific design notes not collected on a single manufacturer or distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F726-E/SO — 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 PIC16F726-E/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Communication, Core, Family, Lead-Free.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F726-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F727-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F723-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F724-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F722-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F726-E/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | PIC16F XLP |
| Core | 8-bit PIC16 RISC |
| Core Size | 8-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 20 MHz |
| Program Memory | 14 KB Flash (8K x 14) |
| RAM | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| Number of I/O Pins | 25 (max 36 depending on package) |
| ADC | 8-bit, up to 12 channels |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| PWM Modules | 2 x ECCP (Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Communication | 1 x EUSART, 1 x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Capacitive Touch | mTouch module integrated |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP (sleep current in nA range) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (extended grade) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO), 7.50 mm body |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 1 (unlimited floor life) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC16F726-E/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/RA3 — Master Clear (reset, active-low) or digital I/O RA3 |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — Digital I/O / AN0 / CVREF / C12IN0- |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — Digital I/O / AN1 / C12IN1- |
| Pin 4 | RA2 — Digital I/O / AN2 / VREF- / CVREF+ / C12IN0+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — Digital I/O / AN3 / T0CKI / C1OUT |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Digital I/O / AN4 / C2OUT / SS / HLVDIN |
| Pin 7 | RE0 — Digital I/O / AN5 / CCP2 / C12IN3- |
| Pin 8 | RE1 — Digital I/O / AN6 / C12IN2- |
| Pin 9 | RE2 — Digital I/O / AN7 / CCP2 / C12IN2+ |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 12 | RA7 — Digital I/O / OSC1 / CLKI |
| Pin 13 | RA6 — Digital I/O / OSC2 / CLKO |
| Pin 14 | RC0 — Digital I/O / T1CKI / T1OSCO |
| Pin 15 | RC1 — Digital I/O / T1OSI / CCP2 |
| Pin 16 | RC2 — Digital I/O / CCP1 / P1A |
| Pin 17 | RC3 — Digital I/O / SCL / SCKIA |
| Pin 18 | RD0 — Digital I/O / ICSPDAT |
| Pin 19 | RD1 — Digital I/O / ICSPCLK |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — Digital I/O / AN12 / C12IN3+ / CCP1 |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — Digital I/O / AN10 / C12IN3- |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — Digital I/O / AN8 / C12IN2- |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — Digital I/O / AN9 / C12IN2+ / CCP2 |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — Digital I/O / AN11 / SDA / SDAA |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — Digital I/O / AN13 / RX / DT |
| Pin 26 | RB6 — Digital I/O / TX / CK / PGC |
| Pin 27 | RB7 — Digital I/O / RX / DT / PGD |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply (2.5 V to 5.5 V) - duplicate pad |
Typical Applications
PIC16F726-E/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Capacitive Touch User Interfaces, Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes, Small Motor-Control Boards, LED Lighting Controllers, Consumer Appliance Control, Remote Controls and Thermostats, Industrial Sensor Interfaces.
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces
The PIC16F726-E/SO's integrated mTouch peripheral scans up to 12 capacitive-touch channels directly through the ADC, eliminating the need for an external touch controller IC. With 14 KB Flash, a designer can implement gesture decoding, debouncing, and low-power wake-on-touch routines while the nanoWatt XLP sleep mode holds current below 100 nA between touches. The 28-SOIC footprint keeps the PCB compact behind glass or acrylic overlays, and the extended -40C to +125C grade supports white-good enclosures and outdoor panels.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Sensor Nodes
The PIC16F726-E/SO is a strong fit for battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because nanoWatt XLP sleep current drops into the nanoamp region and the 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range allows direct connection to 3 V coin cells or 3.3 V Li-ion packs. The 8-bit ADC with up to 12 channels digitizes temperature, light, and battery-voltage signals during periodic wake-ups, while the 16-bit timer serves as a low-jitter wake source. Designers using the EPP/PWM modules can even drive an LED indicator or buzzer directly, removing external driver circuitry.
Recommended
Small Motor-Control Boards
Two Enhanced Capture/Compare/PWM (ECCP) modules in the PIC16F726-E/SO support half-bridge, full-bridge, and programmable dead-band control - enough to drive a small DC or brushless-DC motor stage with discrete MOSFETs and no external gate-driver IC. The 20 MHz instruction rate (200 ns per instruction) gives sufficient PWM resolution at typical 20 kHz switching frequencies. The extended temperature grade suits appliances, fans, pumps, and small e-bike controllers where the MCU sits near the motor.
Recommended
LED Lighting Controllers
Color-mixing and dimming loops for LED strips and architectural fixtures are well served by the PIC16F726-E/SO. The ECCP modules output multiple PWM channels for RGB or RGBW dimming, and the 8-bit ADC reads photodiode or potentiometer feedback for closed-loop brightness control. nanoWatt XLP keeps standby current low so always-on fixtures comply with energy-efficiency regulations. The 28-SOIC package is easy to hand-solder during prototyping and reflows cleanly in mass production.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Control
Microwave ovens, coffee makers, washing-machine front panels, and induction cooktops all benefit from the PIC16F726-E/SO's combination of mTouch buttons, 25 digital I/O, and 2.5 V to 5.5 V supply range. The extended -40C to +125C grade handles oven-cabinet and steam environments. With 14 KB Flash the firmware can host a small RTOS, capacitive-touch scanning, and a UART/I2C link to a main controller or display module.
Recommended
Remote Controls and Thermostats
Battery-powered remote controls and wall-mount thermostats need long standby life, capacitive or mechanical-button support, and a small PCB footprint - exactly the profile of the PIC16F726-E/SO. nanoWatt XLP sleep current below 100 nA on a CR2032 cell yields multi-year battery life. The mTouch module removes mechanical switch wear on thermostats, while the 8-bit ADC reads NTC temperature sensors directly. The 28-SOIC is widely available on reels for low-cost assembly.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Interfaces
In factory-floor sensor-interface nodes, the PIC16F726-E/SO can aggregate analog sensor inputs via its 12-channel ADC, drive relay outputs via ECCP PWM, and communicate upstream through EUSART or MSSP (SPI/I2C). The extended -40C to +125C rating supports unconditioned cabinets. The 256 B EEPROM is enough for storing calibration coefficients and node IDs across power cycles, and ICSP support enables field firmware updates without removing the MCU.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F726-E/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F726-I/SO | PIC16F727-I/SO | PIC16F723-I/SO | PIC16F724-I/SO | PIC16F722-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | SOIC-28 | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same | SOIC-28 - same |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 192 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes |
| Temperature Grade | Extended -40C to +125C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C |
| mTouch Module | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ECCP / PWM Modules | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Key Differentiators
- mTouch capacitive-touch peripheral integrated on-chip (vs PIC16F723-I/SO)
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade (vs PIC16F726-I/SO)
- Largest Flash in PIC16F72x family (vs PIC16F722-I/SO)
- Two ECCP/PWM modules with dead-band control (vs PIC16F722-I/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC16F726-E/SO is specified for -40C to +125C junction temperature in the extended "E" temperature grade. Decoupling: place a 100 nF ceramic capacitor within 5 mm of VDD (pin 20) and VSS (pin 11) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic capacitor at the supply rail. The MCU is housed in SOIC-28 with moderate thermal mass, so no heatsink is required for typical 8-bit workloads below 50 MHz equivalent compute.
Place a 10 kohm pull-up resistor on the MCLR pin (pin 1) to VDD to provide a clean reset. The ICSPDAT (pin 27) and ICSPCLK (pin 28) lines must each have a pull-down or pull-up according to the In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) specification to avoid spurious programming-mode entry. Route the crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) short and symmetric if an external crystal is used; for the internal 20 MHz oscillator no crystal is required.
Common pitfalls include confusing the "-E" (extended -40C to +125C) and "-I" (industrial -40C to +85C) temperature grades, omitting the VDD/VSS bulk decoupling capacitor, and failing to disable the watchdog timer during long firmware debug sessions. Also note that mTouch electrode traces must be guarded against adjacent high-impedance analog traces - maintain a 2x trace-width gap to avoid crosstalk on the touch sensor.
For capacitive-touch mTouch electrodes, route the electrode traces with a solid ground pour below them and avoid running noisy PWM or relay-drive traces directly parallel to the touch channels. Keep the touch-trace capacitance below 30 pF for reliable calibration, and consider adding a 100 ohm series resistor near the MCU pin if the electrode trace runs more than 50 mm.
Take advantage of the nanoWatt XLP sleep modes: enter Sleep by executing the SLEEP instruction and wake via Watchdog Timer overflow, external interrupt, or mTouch event. Sleep current drops into the nanoamp region with the WDT disabled, which is the basis for multi-year CR2032 battery life in remote controls and wireless sensor nodes.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed by Microchip ordering code suffix. AEC-Q100 grade not specified in public datasheet - contact Microchip for automotive qualification status. REACH compliance is on Microchip product declarations.
