PIC16F886-E/ML - 8-Bit 20MHz MCU, 14KB Flash, 28-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC16F886-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.85 | $2.85 |
| 10 | $2.55 | $25.50 |
| 100 | $2.2 | $220.00 |
| 500 | $1.95 | $975.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.71 | $1,710.00 |
PIC16F886-E/ML Overview
A PIC microcontroller is a compact, self-contained programmable computing element that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and a configurable set of peripherals (ADC, timers, communication ports) into a single IC. PIC16F-series MCUs sit in the PIC mid-range hierarchy (PIC10/12/14/16/18) and are widely used as the main controller in cost-sensitive embedded products such as sensor interfaces, motor-control boards, appliance front panels, and consumer white goods. The PIC16F886 specifically targets designs that need a small-footprint 28-pin MCU with abundant analog channels and serial connectivity.
Key differentiating features include 256 bytes of true EEPROM (rare at this price point, supports byte-level data logging), self-programmability for in-field firmware upgrades, nanoWatt sleep modes that drop supply current to the sub-microamp range for battery-powered designs, and a 10-bit ADC with 11 input channels selected through an analog multiplexer. The 28-QFN package provides the smallest possible board footprint in the PIC16F88x family while retaining full peripheral count, enabling compact PCB layouts for space-constrained designs.
The PIC16F886 uses a Harvard RISC architecture with 35 single-word instructions, simplifying programming in MPLAB X IDE and assembly while supporting C compilers such as XC8. Its integrated peripherals eliminate the need for external ADC, EEPROM, or communication ICs in many applications, reducing total BOM cost. Compared to 40-pin PIC16F877A designs, the 28-pin PIC16F886 trades four I/O pins and one ADC channel for a substantially smaller footprint, making it ideal when design space is critical.
Typical applications include industrial sensor signal conditioning, HVAC damper and valve controllers, small appliance control boards, battery-powered IoT sensor nodes, automotive interior accessories (where extended temperature is required), USB-to-UART bridge dongles, and general-purpose 8-bit embedded control with on-chip data EEPROM. The combination of low-power nanoWatt modes and 256-byte EEPROM makes it suitable for data logging applications that must retain parameters through power loss.
When designing with this MCU, ensure the ICSP programming header is brought out to a 6-pin in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) connector for field firmware updates. The CONFIG word must be set correctly before code execution, and brown-out-reset (BOR) configuration should match the system supply voltage to prevent corrupted Flash writes during power-down events.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the 28-QFN footprint, and practical design notes not found in the bare manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16F886-E/ML — 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 PIC16F886-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Package, Program Memory (Flash), Serial Interfaces.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F887-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F883-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F882-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F884-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.43 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F876A-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F886-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 enhanced mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit (35 single-word instructions) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz (200 ns instruction cycle) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| Data SRAM | 368 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Digital I/O Pins | 25 |
| ADC | 11-channel, 10-bit |
| Comparators | 2 |
| CCP / ECCP Modules | 1 CCP + 1 Enhanced CCP |
| Serial Interfaces | 1x USART (EUSART), 1x MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| Operating Voltage (Vdd) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (Extended 'E' grade) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6 x 6 mm), ML suffix |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16F886-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA7/AN7/SS — Digital I/O RA7 / Analog input AN7 / SPI Slave Select |
| Pin 2 | RA6/AN6/OSC2/CLKO — Digital I/O RA6 / Analog AN6 / Oscillator output |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN5/SS/C2OUT — Digital I/O RA5 / Analog AN5 / SPI SS / Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 4 | RA4/AN4/T0CKI/C1OUT — Digital I/O RA4 / Analog AN4 / Timer0 clock / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/Vref+/C1IN+ — Digital I/O RA3 / Analog AN3 / ADC Vref+ / Comparator 1 input+ |
| Pin 6 | RA2/AN2/Vref-/C1IN- — Digital I/O RA2 / Analog AN2 / ADC Vref- / Comparator 1 input- |
| Pin 7 | RA1/AN1/C2IN+ — Digital I/O RA1 / Analog AN1 / Comparator 2 input+ |
| Pin 8 | RA0/AN0/C2IN-/CVref/ULPWU — Digital I/O RA0 / Analog AN0 / Comparator 2 in- / CVref / Ultra-Low-Power Wake-up |
| Pin 9 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RA7 — Digital I/O RA7 (alternate QFN mapping) |
| Pin 11 | RB7/ICSPDAT — Digital I/O RB7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 12 | RB6/ICSPCLK — Digital I/O RB6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 13 | RB5/AN11/CCP — Digital I/O RB5 / Analog AN11 / CCP1 |
| Pin 14 | RB4/AN10 — Digital I/O RB4 / Analog AN10 |
| Pin 15 | RB3/AN9/PGM/C1OUT — Digital I/O RB3 / Analog AN9 / LVP program / Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 16 | RB2/AN8 — Digital I/O RB2 / Analog AN8 |
| Pin 17 | RB1/AN10/INT — Digital I/O RB1 / Analog AN10 / External interrupt |
| Pin 18 | RB0/AN12/INT — Digital I/O RB0 / Analog AN12 / External interrupt |
| Pin 19 | Vdd — Positive supply voltage 2.0-5.5 V |
| Pin 20 | Vss — Ground reference |
| Pin 21 | RC7/RX/DT — Digital I/O RC7 / EUSART RX / Synchronous data |
| Pin 22 | RC6/TX/CK — Digital I/O RC6 / EUSART TX / Synchronous clock |
| Pin 23 | RC5/SDO — Digital I/O RC5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 24 | RC4/SDI/SDA — Digital I/O RC4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 25 | RC3/SCL/SCK — Digital I/O RC3 / I2C clock / SPI clock |
| Pin 26 | RC2/P1A/CCP1 — Digital I/O RC2 / Enhanced PWM P1A / CCP1 |
| Pin 27 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — Digital I/O RC1 / Timer1 osc in / CCP2 |
| Pin 28 | RC0/T1OSO — Digital I/O RC0 / Timer1 oscillator output |
Typical Applications
PIC16F886-E/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning, HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator Control, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node, Small Appliance Control Board, USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle, Automotive Interior Accessory Controller.
Industrial Sensor Signal Conditioning
The PIC16F886-E/ML fits industrial sensor conditioning because its 11-channel 10-bit ADC and 25 I/O pins allow direct multiplexing of multiple analog sensors (temperature, pressure, flow) into a single MCU. With 14 KB Flash, the firmware can host calibration tables and linearization routines, while the 256-byte EEPROM stores per-sensor offset and gain values that survive power cycles. The 20 MHz CPU executes ADC conversion routines in under 20 us, and the nanoWatt sleep modes drop quiescent current for battery-backed loop-powered 4-20 mA sensor transmitters. Compared with discrete ADC-plus-MCU designs, integrating the converter and EEPROM on-die reduces BOM cost and PCB area.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator Control
The PIC16F886-E/ML is well-suited for HVAC actuator controllers because the Enhanced CCP module provides hardware PWM generation for servo and proportional valve drives, while the two on-chip comparators support zero-crossing detection for triac-fired heater elements. The 25 I/O pins handle multiple end-switch inputs, encoder feedback, and status LEDs without external I/O expanders. With 14 KB Flash, designers can implement PID control loops, fault logging, and Modbus or BACnet communication stacks via the EUSART. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade ensures reliable operation in unconditioned equipment rooms.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC16F886-E/ML enables battery-powered IoT sensor nodes through its nanoWatt power-management modes that reduce supply current to sub-microamp levels during sleep. The integrated EUSART and MSSP (SPI/I2C) interfaces connect directly to low-power radio modules (LoRa, sub-GHz transceivers) and I2C sensors without external glue logic. The 256-byte EEPROM stores node identity, calibration, and last-known state across deep-sleep cycles. With 14 KB Flash, designers can implement lightweight sensor-fusion code plus an interrupt-driven radio stack. The 2.0 V minimum Vdd supports direct connection to single-cell lithium-thionyl-chloride (Li-SOCl2) primary batteries used in long-life remote monitoring deployments.
Recommended
Small Appliance Control Board
The PIC16F886-E/ML is ideal for small appliance controllers (coffee machines, washing machines, microwave ovens, induction cooktops) due to its 25 I/O for keypad scanning, LCD driving, relay control, and triac firing. The two comparators handle zero-crossing detection for mains-sync timing, while the ECCP module generates PWM for variable-speed motors or inverter stages. The 256-byte EEPROM stores user presets (brew strength, wash cycle) that persist through power loss, and the 14 KB Flash supports state-machine firmware plus diagnostic logging. The extended -40C to +125C temperature grade tolerates the high ambient temperatures found inside appliance enclosures.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Dongle
The PIC16F886-E/ML works as the controller in USB-to-UART bridge dongles because its EUSART module provides hardware asynchronous serial communication, while the 20 MHz CPU executes bit-banged USB low-speed device firmware within the 14 KB Flash budget. The 11-channel ADC can monitor USB Vbus voltage and current for cable-compensation algorithms. The 256-byte EEPROM stores VID/PID descriptors and user-configurable baud-rate defaults. The 28-QFN package keeps the dongle PCB compact enough to fit inside a standard USB Type-A connector shell, making this a cost-effective bridge for industrial programming and debugging.
Recommended
Automotive Interior Accessory Controller
The PIC16F886-E/ML is well-matched to automotive interior accessories (ambient lighting controllers, seat-position memories, mirror adjusters, HVAC panel slaves) because the extended -40C to +125C temperature grade handles cabin electronics that see direct sunlight load. The ECCP module drives LED strings with PWM dimming, the EUSART interfaces with the vehicle CAN-LIN gateway via external transceivers, and the 11 ADC channels read multiple position sensors and thermistors. The 256-byte EEPROM stores user presets (seat position, mirror angle) across battery disconnects, while 14 KB Flash hosts state-machine plus diagnostics required by automotive OEMs. The 28-QFN package supports compact PCB layouts under tight interior trim constraints.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16F886-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F887-E/ML | PIC16F883-E/ML | PIC16F882-E/ML | PIC16F884-E/ML | PIC16F876A-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 14 KB | 28 KB | 7 KB | 3.5 KB | 14 KB | 14 KB |
| SRAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes | 128 bytes | 256 bytes | 256 bytes |
| ADC Channels | 11 channels, 10-bit | 14 channels, 10-bit | 6 channels, 10-bit | 11 channels, 10-bit | 11 channels, 10-bit | 5 channels, 10-bit |
| Enhanced CCP | Yes (1 ECCP + 1 CCP) | Yes (1 ECCP + 1 CCP) | Yes (1 ECCP + 1 CCP) | No (1 CCP only) | Yes (1 ECCP + 1 CCP) | No (1 CCP only) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C | -40C to +125C |
Key Differentiators
- Up to 11 ADC channels in 28-pin QFN (vs PIC16F876A-E/ML)
- Enhanced CCP module for advanced PWM (vs PIC16F882-E/ML)
- Larger SRAM and Flash for richer firmware (vs PIC16F883-E/ML)
Design Notes
The PIC16F886-E/ML accepts 2.0 V to 5.5 V on Vdd and supports nanoWatt sleep modes that drop supply current below 1 uA when the CPU is halted and peripherals are gated off. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of the Vdd pin, and add a 10 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output. The MCLR pin requires a 10 kohm pull-up to Vdd for normal operation; if not used, tie it directly to Vdd. Estimated: total quiescent current in Sleep mode is approximately 100 nA typical at 3 V, per the manufacturer datasheet's electrical characteristics table.
The 28-QFN package exposes a central thermal pad (EP) on the underside that must be soldered to a PCB land pattern connected to the ground plane for mechanical reliability and thermal dissipation. Per IPC-7351 guidelines, the EP land should be a 4 mm x 4 mm square with via-array stitching to the inner ground plane. Add a 6-pin ICSP header (Vpp/MCLR, Vdd, Vss, ICSPDAT, ICSPCLK, plus a no-connect) to the PCB for field firmware updates and debugging via MPLAB ICD or PICkit.
Avoid using the PIC16F886-E/ML with analog inputs when the corresponding TRIS bit is configured as an output - this creates a direct path from the digital driver to the analog pin and can damage the ADC multiplexer. Always set TRIS=1 (input) and ANSEL=1 (analog) for any pin used as ADC input. When migrating code from PIC16F876A to PIC16F886, note that the ADC channel count increases from 5 to 11, and configuration bits may need updating because the PIC16F886 has additional CONFIG registers for the nanoWatt features.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - choose PIC16F886 automotive-grade variants or external AEC-Q100 parts for safety-critical automotive designs.
