PIC16F876-04I/SO - 8-bit MCU, 14KB Flash, 4MHz, 28-SOIC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F876-04I/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.47 | $7.47 |
| 10 | $6.82 | $68.20 |
| 100 | $6.18 | $618.00 |
| 500 | $5.61 | $2,805.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.05 | $5,050.00 |
PIC16F876-04I/SO Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer built around an 8-bit data path and a RISC-style Harvard architecture that fetches instructions from one memory space and data from another. Within the broader semiconductor hierarchy, an MCU sits between a digital logic IC and a microprocessor: it integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, volatile RAM, and a rich set of peripherals (ADC, timers, communication blocks) into a single package. The PIC16F876 family uses Microchip's PIC® mid-range core, which is positioned above baseline PIC10/12 devices and below the enhanced PIC18 family in terms of instruction set and peripheral complexity.
Key features include a wide 2.0V to 5.5V operating range, in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) capability, a watchdog timer with its own on-chip RC oscillator, power-on reset, brown-out detection, and an industrial-grade (-40°C to +85°C) temperature range denoted by the 'I' suffix. The '04' suffix indicates a 4MHz rated oscillator; a faster '20' speed grade is also offered in the family. Code protection hardware prevents unauthorized reads of onboard flash memory.
The PIC16F876 employs a Harvard architecture with separate program and data buses, allowing the 14-bit instruction word to be fetched while an 8-bit data operand is being read - eliminating single-cycle bottlenecks. The 35 single-word instruction set simplifies assembly-level programming, and the 8-level deep hardware stack supports structured subroutine nesting.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interfaces, appliance control boards, automotive subsystems, low-cost data acquisition modules, and battery-powered measurement instruments. The 28-SOIC wide package (0.295 in / 7.50 mm) is compatible with hand-soldering as well as production pick-and-place assembly, making this MCU versatile across prototyping and volume manufacturing.
When designing with the PIC16F876-04I/SO, observe the 4 MHz FOSC maximum and confirm that required oscillator configurations match the chosen crystal or resonator. The '04' speed grade limits analog performance and ADC throughput relative to the '20' grade, so designers targeting higher execution throughput should evaluate the speed upgrade early in the design cycle.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible same-package alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, providing actionable engineering context for sourcing and second-source decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F876-04I/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 PIC16F876-04I/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F886-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876-04/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876-20I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F873A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F876-04I/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | PIC16F |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit RISC Harvard |
| Program Memory Type | FLASH |
| Program Memory Size | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| RAM Size | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM Size | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Number of I/O Pins | 22 |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 8-channel, 10-bit |
| Number of Timers | 3 |
| Communication Peripherals | 1x USART, 1x MSSP (SPI/I2C) |
| Capture/Compare/PWM Modules | 2 (CCP) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to +85°C (industrial) |
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm width) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead Free | Yes |
PIC16F876-04I/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — Digital I/O / analog input 3 / ADC positive reference |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — Digital I/O / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — Digital I/O / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Oscillator crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Oscillator crystal output / clock output |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — Digital I/O / CCP1 output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — Digital I/O / SPI SCK / I2C SCL |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O / SPI SDI / I2C SDA |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O / SPI SDO |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O / USART TX / clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O / USART RX / data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0V to 5.5V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — Digital I/O / external interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 24 | RB3/PGM — Digital I/O / LVP programming entry |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — Digital I/O |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — Digital I/O / ICSP clock |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data |
Typical Applications
PIC16F876-04I/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Boards, Appliance Control Modules, Automotive Subsystems (Non-Safety), Low-Cost Data Acquisition Modules, Battery-Powered Measurement Instruments, Educational and Hobbyist Development Boards, Remote Control and Sensor Interface Panels.
Industrial Sensor Interface Boards
The PIC16F876-04I/SO is well-suited for industrial sensor interface boards, where its 8-channel 10-bit ADC, 4 MHz instruction throughput, and industrial-grade -40C to +85C temperature rating handle harsh factory environments. Its 22 I/O pins accommodate multiple analog sensor inputs (e.g., thermistors, pressure transducers) and digital outputs (relays, optocouplers) on a single chip. The 5V operating range and brown-out detector simplify integration with industrial 24V-to-5V DC-DC rails. With 14 KB of flash and 368 bytes of RAM, the device executes typical scaling and PID control loops at sub-millisecond cycle times. The 28-SOIC wide-body package is compatible with lead-free reflow soldering in standard SMT lines.
Recommended
Appliance Control Modules
Within appliance control modules such as washing machines, dishwashers, and HVAC thermostats, the PIC16F876-04I/SO delivers the right mix of analog and digital resources in a cost-effective 8-bit package. Its 22 I/O pins drive triac-control optocouplers, LED indicators, and keypad matrices, while the 10-bit ADC reads NTC temperature sensors and supply voltage monitoring. The integrated CCP modules generate PWM for motor speed control or proportional valve actuation. Industrial-grade temperature tolerance ensures reliable operation near heating elements. Programming is straightforward via ICSP, supporting easy firmware updates during manufacturing or field service with no component removal required.
Recommended
Automotive Subsystems (Non-Safety)
In non-safety automotive subsystems such as interior lighting controllers, seat heaters, and dashboard accessory modules, the PIC16F876-04I/SO provides -40C to +85C operation suitable for cabin environments and supports CAN or LIN networks via external transceivers tethered to its USART. The 8-channel ADC monitors button presses, potentiometer positions, and temperature. The 35-instruction RISC core ensures deterministic loop timing for multiplexed display refresh. Its 5V tolerance matches automotive accessory bus levels after external regulation. Engineers should use the PIC16F876-04I/SO for interior-grade automotive subsystems only, not for powertrain or safety-critical applications.
Recommended
Low-Cost Data Acquisition Modules
For low-cost multi-channel data acquisition modules, the PIC16F876-04I/SO combines an 8-channel 10-bit ADC with 22 I/O pins and a USART/MSSP interface for SPI or I2C sensor buses. The 14 KB flash comfortably stores lookup tables, calibration constants, and linearization routines for thermocouple or strain-gauge front-ends. The 368 bytes of RAM buffer single-sample readings before UART transmission to a host. Designers can chain multiple PIC16F876 slaves over RS-485 or I2C for scalable distributed measurement nodes. With a 4 MHz instruction rate, the device achieves approximately 20 kS/s aggregate ADC throughput under interrupt-driven firmware.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Measurement Instruments
PIC16F876-04I/SO is well-suited for battery-powered measurement instruments such as handheld multimeters, environmental loggers, and portable diagnostic tools. Operating voltage down to 2.0V supports 2xAA battery chemistries, while the 2.0-5.5V wide range enables 3.3V coin-cell designs. The 4 MHz instruction rate remains sufficient for periodic sensor sampling and FFT-lite preprocessing. Brown-out detection protects against battery end-of-life events without an external supervisor IC. The 28-SOIC wide package provides strong thermal contact when mounted to a small copper pour, ensuring stable analog readings over the -40C to +85C range.
Recommended
Educational and Hobbyist Development Boards
The PIC16F876-04I/SO is a classic education platform for embedded systems courses and DIY electronics, owing to its simple 35-instruction RISC core, generous 22 I/O pins, and well-documented peripherals. The 28-SOIC version fits standard through-hole-adapter boards when combined with SOIC-to-DIP breakout PCBs. Students can leverage free MPLAB X toolchains and the integrated ICD debugger to write firmware in C or assembly. Its 14 KB flash holds moderate student projects without needing external memory. The breadboard-friendly package and abundant internet tutorials make it a frequent recommendation for introductory microcontroller courses worldwide.
Recommended
Remote Control and Sensor Interface Panels
In remote control panels and distributed sensor interface nodes, the PIC16F876-04I/SO provides a 5V-tolerant MCU with 22 digital I/O pins for reading buttons, switches, and indicator LEDs. The integrated MSSP block supports both SPI (for digital potentiometers or shift registers) and I2C (for sensor chips or EEPROM), enabling a compact BOM. The 8-channel ADC handles analog slider positions or environmental sensors. With -40C to +85C operation, the device survives outdoor installations when paired with appropriate conformal coating. The wide SOIC package eases hand repair for long-lifecycle industrial panels.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F876-04I/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F886-I/SO | PIC16F876-04/SO | PIC16F876A-I/SO | PIC16F876-20I/SO | PIC16F873A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm) | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm) - same | 28-SOIC (0.295 in / 7.50 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB | 7 KB (smaller) |
| Maximum Clock | 4 MHz | 8 MHz (2x faster) | 4 MHz | 5 MHz | 20 MHz | 5 MHz |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Commercial 0C to +70C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C | Industrial -40C to +85C |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 28 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| ADC | 8-ch, 10-bit | 11-ch, 10/11-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit | 8-ch, 10-bit |
Key Differentiators
- Established mature PIC16F product line with broad distributor stocking (vs PIC16F886-I/SO)
- Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range built in (vs PIC16F876-04/SO)
- 14 KB flash and 256 bytes EEPROM for moderate data logging (vs PIC16F873A-I/SO)
- Crystal-clear migration path to PIC16F886 (vs PIC16F876-20I/SO)
Design Notes
Place decoupling ceramic capacitors (0.1 uF for high-frequency noise, plus 1-10 uF bulk) immediately next to each VDD/VSS pin pair of the PIC16F876-04I/SO. Keep the loop area between the IC and capacitor under 5 mm to suppress switching transients. Route analog AVdd (if separated on later variants) independently with a ferrite bead from digital Vdd to minimize ADC noise coupling.
The PIC16F876-04I/SO has no internal PLL; therefore the crystal or resonator must be placed within 1 cm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins, with grounded guard traces on either side. Keep clock traces short and avoid routing digital switching signals within 5 mm of the oscillator loop. For noisy switching regulators, consider an external oscillator module driven into OSC1 instead of a discrete crystal.
Do not connect a load to the MCLR pin that pulls below VSS or above VDD; use a pull-up resistor (typically 10 kohm) to VDD for proper reset operation. Watchdog timer should be disabled in development or cleared periodically in the main loop, or a brown-out reset will trigger unexpectedly. The '04' speed grade is limited to 4 MHz oscillator input; trying to drive it with a 20 MHz crystal will cause silent firmware malfunction without a clock-fault flag.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive applications consider AEC-Q100 qualified PIC16F variants. Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data.
