PIC16F74-E/L - 8-Bit 20MHz PIC MCU 7KB Flash 44-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F74-E/L ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.85 | $7.85 |
| 10 | $7.05 | $70.50 |
| 100 | $6.3 | $630.00 |
| 500 | $5.6 | $2,800.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.95 | $4,950.00 |
PIC16F74-E/L Overview
A microcontroller (microcontroller unit, MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (ROM/FLASH), data RAM, working registers, and a rich set of peripherals (timers, ADC, communications) into a compact package that can be embedded directly into an electronic product. The PIC family uses a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing instruction fetch and operand access to occur in the same cycle for deterministic throughput at low clock rates. PIC microcontrollers therefore sit in the hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device, and they are typically deployed where deterministic timing, low cost, and low power are required.
Key features of the PIC16F74 include 192 bytes of RAM, 33 digital I/O lines, an 8-channel 8-bit Analog-to-Digital converter (ADC), two 8-bit timers and one 16-bit timer, two Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, a synchronous serial port configurable as 3-wire SPI or 2-wire I2C, and a USART for asynchronous serial communications. The core supports 35 single-word instructions with a 200 ns instruction cycle at 20MHz, providing predictable execution for real-time control tasks.
Architecturally, the PIC16F74 uses CMOS FLASH process technology with Microchip's nanoWatt power-managed sleep modes and a wide 2.5V-5.5V operating range. A 14-bit instruction word delivers compact code density, while the integrated brown-out reset and watchdog timer improve robustness in industrial environments. The 44-PLCC package exposes most peripheral pins, simplifying PCB layout compared to smaller-pin PIC16F7x cousins.
Typical applications for the PIC16F74-E/L include industrial control systems, HVAC fan/valve controllers, security alarm panels, motor-control signal conditioning, and embedded instrumentation with the 8-bit ADC reading sensor inputs. The extended temperature grade makes it suitable for outdoor or factory-floor equipment.
When designing with the PIC16F74, ensure that your programmer/debugger supports the 5V FLASH programming algorithm (e.g., MPLAB ICD or PICkit) and that decoupling caps of 0.1uF plus bulk 1-10uF are placed close to VDD/VDD2. For low-power designs, leverage the nanoWatt sleep modes to draw sub-microamp standby currents between ADC bursts.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone manufacturer datasheet, with data traced to Microchip's official PIC16F74 product page and current distributor listings.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F74-E/L — 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 PIC16F74-E/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Timers, Core Architecture, I/O Pins, Serial Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F74T-I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F77-I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F74-I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F74T-E/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F74-E/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC RISC (Harvard) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB FLASH (4K x 14 instructions) |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes |
| EEPROM | Data EEPROM on-chip |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 20 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns at 20 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 33 digital I/O |
| ADC | 8 channels, 8-bit resolution |
| Timers | 2 x 8-bit + 1 x 16-bit |
| CCP Modules | 2 (Capture/Compare/PWM) |
| Serial Interfaces | SSP (SPI / I2C), USART |
| Operating Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (Extended "-E") |
| Package | 44-pin PLCC (16.59 x 16.59 mm) |
| Lead-Free | Yes (lead-free PLCC finish) |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP via MPLAB / PICkit / ICD tools |
PIC16F74-E/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / Analog input 0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / Analog input 1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / Analog input 2 / VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / Analog input 3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 6 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / Analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 7 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / Parallel port read / Analog input 5 |
| Pin 8 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / Parallel port write / Analog input 6 |
| Pin 9 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / Parallel port chip select / Analog input 7 |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive digital supply |
| Pin 11 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 12 | OSC1/CLKI — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 13 | OSC2/CLKO — Oscillator crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 14 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock in |
| Pin 15 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 18 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / Parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 19 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / Parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 20 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / Parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 21 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / Parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 22 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 23 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 24 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 25 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 26 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / Parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 27 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / Parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 28 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / Parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 29 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / Parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 31 | VDD — Positive digital supply |
| Pin 32 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / External interrupt |
| Pin 33 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 34 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 35 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / Low-voltage programming |
| Pin 36 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 37 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 38 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 39 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 40 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 43 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 44 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear / programming voltage |
Typical Applications
PIC16F74-E/L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Motor & Valve Controller, HVAC Fan & Damper Controller, Security Alarm Panel, Embedded Instrumentation with ADC Front-End, Appliance Control Board, Automotive Aftermarket Accessory Module.
Industrial Motor & Valve Controller
The PIC16F74-E/L fits industrial motor and valve control because its two CCP modules deliver one channel of PWM drive plus one feedback capture channel, while the 8-channel 8-bit ADC reads current, position, and temperature sensor inputs. The 20MHz core and 200 ns instruction cycle sustain deterministic real-time loop rates even with multiple feedback signals. Placed on a control PCB, it drives TRIAC/MOSFET stages via opto-isolated outputs, with the USART forwarding telemetry to a host PLC; unlike ARM Cortex-M parts the PIC16F74-E/L adds the -E extended -40C to +125C temperature grade that is required for cabinet-side installations without extra thermal management.
Recommended
HVAC Fan & Damper Controller
The PIC16F74-E/L is well suited to HVAC fan and damper control where its 8-channel ADC monitors thermistors, duct pressure, and humidity sensors while the CCP PWM output drives a proportional damper actuator. Running at 20MHz from a 3.3V or 5V rail, it sustains the multi-sensor update loop with deterministic latency. Placed in a fan-coil unit controller, it uses the USART to report status to the building automation backbone; the nanoWatt sleep modes drop standby current into the microamp range between sensor sweeps, supporting Energy Star idle targets and the -E extended temperature grade allows rooftop mounting without extra heatsinking.
Recommended
Security Alarm Panel
The PIC16F74-E/L fits intrusion alarm panels because its 33 digital I/O lines scan 8-16 zones of door/window sensors and PIR triggers, while the 8-bit ADC monitors backup battery voltage and tamper loops. The 20MHz RISC core sustains debounced scanning loops with 35 single-word instructions, and the on-chip EEPROM stores zone configuration through power events. Deployed inside a metal enclosure, it triggers sirens and dials out via the USART/SSP-attached modem IC; the -E extended temperature grade supports outdoor unheated equipment sheds, and the FLASH-based ICSP allows firmware updates as installers add new zone types.
Recommended
Embedded Instrumentation with ADC Front-End
The PIC16F74-E/L is a strong fit for embedded instrumentation thanks to its 8-channel 8-bit ADC, which reads strain gauge bridges, thermistors, and 4-20 mA loop sensors through a front-end multiplexer. At 20MHz the core performs scaling, linearization, and digital filtering in real time, while the USART pushes calibrated readings to an external display or host. Used inside a panel meter or process indicator, it eliminates an external ADC and references the supply via dedicated AVSS/VDD pins; the 7KB FLASH hosts full calibration tables, and the SSP supports an I2C LCD display for human readout without extra driver ICs.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16F74-E/L fits white-goods control boards - washing machines, dishwashers, and induction cooktops - because its two CCP channels handle one motor PWM and one zero-cross detect, while the 8-channel ADC reads water level, motor current, and NTC temperature. The -E extended temperature grade survives the under-counter and behind-the-panel thermal environment, and the FLASH program memory stores the wash-cycle and safety-look-up tables that the on-chip EEPROM cannot hold. Mounted on the appliance main board, the PIC16F74-E/L drives TRIACs through opto-isolators; the ICSP interface lets the line replace firmware for model variants without retooling.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessory Module
The PIC16F74-E/L fits automotive aftermarket accessory modules - alarm add-ons, lighting controllers, and trailer interfaces - because its wide 2.5V-5.5V supply tolerance survives load-dump events when paired with a TVS, and the 8-channel ADC monitors battery voltage, ignition sense, and switch inputs. The CCP modules drive relay and LED PWM dimming, while the SSP-based SPI bus talks to an external CAN or LIN transceiver. The -E extended temperature grade supports under-hood or dashboard mounting without thermal derating; the ICSP pins route to a service connector so dealers can flash regional firmware variants.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F74-E/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F74T-I/L | PIC16F77-I/L | PIC16F747-E/ML | PIC16F74-I/L | PIC16F74T-E/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-PLCC (L) | 44-PLCC (L) - same | 44-PLCC (L) - same | 44-QFN (ML) - different | 44-PLCC (L) - same | 44-PLCC (L) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program FLASH | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB (same) | 14 KB (+100%) | 7 KB (same) | 7 KB (same) | 7 KB (same) |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes (same) | 368 bytes (+92%) | 192 bytes (same) | 192 bytes (same) | 192 bytes (same) |
| Maximum Clock | 20 MHz | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (same) |
| ADC Channels x Resolution | 8 x 8-bit | 8 x 8-bit (same) | 8 x 8-bit (same) | 8 x 8-bit (same) | 8 x 8-bit (same) | 8 x 8-bit (same) |
| CCP Modules | 2 | 2 (same) | 2 (same) | 2 (same) | 2 (same) | 2 (same) |
| Temperature Grade | -40C to +125C (-E extended) | -40C to +85C (-I industrial) | -40C to +85C (-I industrial) | -40C to +125C (-E extended) | -40C to +85C (-I industrial) | -40C to +125C (-E extended) |
Key Differentiators
- Extended -40C to +125C temperature grade vs only -I in standard PIC16F74-I/L (vs PIC16F74-I/L)
- Doubles program FLASH vs baseline PIC16F73 (vs PIC16F73-I/SO)
- On-chip data EEPROM for non-volatile parameter storage vs PIC16F72 baseline (vs PIC16F72-E/SP)
- Two CCP modules for simultaneous PWM and capture feedback vs single-CCP PIC16F720 (vs PIC16F720-I/P)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 20MHz and 5V VDD, the PIC16F74-E/L draws roughly 10-15 mA active and below 1 uA in SLEEP mode. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling cap as close as possible to each VDD/AVDD pin pair, and add a bulk 1-10 uF tantalum or ceramic on the main 5V rail. For noise-sensitive analog reads, separate AVSS from VSS at the regulator and star-ground both back to a single-point ground near the MCU. Use the brown-out reset (BOR) feature to prevent code corruption during 3.3V brown-out events.
Estimated: with all 33 I/O pins sourcing 20 mA worst case (per pin spec) the PIC16F74-E/L could draw up to 660 mA total, but real designs stay below 100 mA. The 44-PLCC package theta_JA is roughly 40-50 C/W, so at 25C ambient and 100 mA VDD*IDD (~0.5 W) the junction rises only 25C, leaving 80C of headroom in the -E extended grade. For sustained high-load industrial designs, use thermal vias under the PLCC socket and avoid mounting the IC directly above heat-generating regulators.
Keep the 20MHz oscillator traces short and routed over a continuous ground plane. Place the 22 pF-33 pF load capacitors within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 and use a guard ring tied to ground if the clock traces cross sensitive analog lines. Reserve a 2-pin ICSP header (PGC/PGD plus MCLR/VPP and ground) at the board perimeter so production firmware can be flashed without an inline programmer socket. Avoid routing the MCLR/VPP trace near high-dV/dt switching nodes.
Do not confuse the -E extended temperature suffix (-40C to +125C) with the -I industrial suffix (-40C to +85C) - the PIC16F74-E/L is the extended grade; if you order the -I variant you lose 40C of upper margin. Do not pull MCLR low at power-up before the VDD rail stabilizes, or the device will enter programming mode. Verify CONFIG fuse settings (oscillator, watchdog, code protect, brown-out) match the design before mass production - the -LF version uses FLASH configuration words and must be programmed with a 5V algorithm.
When using the 8-bit ADC for sensor reads, place an RC low-pass filter (typically 1 kohm + 100 nF) on each ANx input to attenuate clock harmonics and switching noise from digital outputs. Use the ADC in SLEEP mode with the internal RC oscillator to remove CPU noise from the conversion. The AVSS pin must tie to a clean analog ground that is star-grounded to the MCU VSS, not chained from a digital ground bus. For multi-channel scanning, allow at least 20 us acquisition time before starting the conversion.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page; /L suffix indicates lead-free PLCC finish. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is an industrial extended temperature part, not an automotive-qualified MCU.
