PIC16LF874T-04/L - 8-Bit 4MHz 7KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF874T-04/L ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.95 | $3.95 |
| 10 | $3.55 | $35.50 |
| 100 | $3.18 | $318.00 |
| 500 | $2.84 | $1,420.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.49 | $2,490.00 |
PIC16LF874T-04/L Overview
An 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) is a self-contained computing element that integrates a CPU, non-volatile program memory, volatile working RAM, peripheral set, and I/O onto a single silicon die. In the broader taxonomy, MCUs sit between discrete logic and full microprocessors: they trade raw computation throughput for deterministic real-time control, low power draw, and small board area. The PIC16F family is one of the longest-running mid-range 8-bit architectures from Microchip and is widely used in embedded control where cost, footprint, and deterministic interrupt latency outweigh the need for 32-bit performance.
Key specifications of the PIC16LF874T-04/L include 33 digital I/O pins, an operating voltage range of 2.0 V to 5.5 V (the LF prefix denotes the low-voltage variant), a commercial operating temperature grade of 0 °C to +70 °C, and integrated peripherals such as a 10-bit ADC, capture/compare/PWM (CCP) modules, USART, SPI, and I2C. The device supports in-circuit debugging via the ICSP interface.
The 'LF' prefix indicates the wide-voltage CMOS process, which lets the part run from a single lithium cell or 3.3 V regulated rail. The 04 speed suffix corresponds to a 4 MHz oscillator input, and the /L suffix denotes the 44-pin PLCC package. The T suffix indicates tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume SMT assembly. The PLCC-44 footprint offers socket-friendly replaceability, which is useful in legacy industrial designs where field serviceability still matters.
Typical applications for the PIC16LF874T-04/L include industrial motor-control boards, HVAC damper and valve actuators, low-power sensor nodes, and consumer appliance controllers. The 33 I/O lines and ADC channels are sufficient to multiplex several analog sensors while still driving displays, keypads, and isolated relay outputs.
When designing with this part, evaluate whether the 4 MHz instruction rate is sufficient for the control loop. If tighter timing is required, consider the 20 MHz -20 speed grade or migrate to the pin-compatible PIC16F877A in the same PLCC-44 footprint.
This page combines current distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found on a single manufacturer datasheet PDF, giving procurement and engineering teams a single consolidated decision point.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF874T-04/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 PIC16LF874T-04/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, Operating Temperature, Timers, I/O Pins.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16F874-04/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF874-04I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F877A-I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F874-04I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF874T-04/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16F (8-bit Harvard RISC) |
| CPU Frequency | 4 MHz (DC to 4 MHz instruction rate) |
| Program Memory | 7 KB Flash (4K x 14 words) |
| Data RAM | 192 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| I/O Pins | 33 digital I/O |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 8 channels |
| Timers | Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 |
| Capture/Compare/PWM | 2 CCP modules |
| Serial Interfaces | USART (SCI), SPI, I2C (MSSP) |
| Package | 44-pin PLCC (16.59 x 16.59 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket compatible) |
| MSL Level | MSL-3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| Programming/Debug | ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) |
PIC16LF874T-04/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC voltage reference + |
| Pin 2 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 3 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 4 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / parallel port read / analog input 5 |
| Pin 5 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / parallel port write / analog input 6 |
| Pin 6 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / parallel port chip select / analog input 7 |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 8 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal/ceramic resonator input or external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal/ceramic resonator output or clock out |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock input |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 I/O |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 16 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 17 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 18 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 19 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 20 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 21 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART transmit / USART clock |
| Pin 22 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART receive / USART data |
| Pin 23 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 24 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 25 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 26 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 27 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 28 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 5.5 V) |
| Pin 29 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 30 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 31 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 32 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / low-voltage programming |
| Pin 33 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 34 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 35 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 36 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 37 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 38 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 39 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 / ADC voltage reference - |
| Pin 40 | MCLR/VPP — Master clear reset / programming voltage |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF874T-04/L is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Motor Control Board, HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator, Low-Power Sensor Node, Consumer Appliance Controller, Automotive Aftermarket Accessory, Battery Charger / Power Management Front End, Educational / Development Platform.
Industrial Motor Control Board
The PIC16LF874T-04/L fits industrial motor-control boards where its 33 I/O lines drive phase-control signals, the 8-channel 10-bit ADC reads current/voltage feedback, and the 2 CCP modules generate PWM at up to 4 MHz instruction rate. Its 2.0-5.5 V LF supply rail accepts 24 V industrial bus regulation down to 3.3 V without level shifters. The 7 KB Flash holds typical BLDC/PMSM state-machine firmware, while 192 bytes RAM covers the small lookup tables these algorithms require.
Recommended
HVAC Damper and Valve Actuator
The PIC16LF874T-04/L is well suited to HVAC damper and valve actuator modules that need multiple analog inputs (temperature, pressure, humidity) and digital outputs to drive triac optocouplers. The 8 ADC channels multiplex several analog sensors while the 33 I/O lines handle relay and triac switching. Its LF grade runs directly from a 24 VAC rectified-rail regulator, eliminating the extra linear stage required by F-grade parts. EEPROM (128 bytes) retains user setpoints across power cycles.
Recommended
Low-Power Sensor Node
The PIC16LF874T-04/L suits battery-powered sensor nodes because the LF grade operates from a single 3.3 V coin cell or lithium pack down to 2.0 V. The 192-byte RAM and 128-byte EEPROM are enough to buffer a few sensor samples and persist calibration values, while the 7 KB Flash accommodates typical IoT-style sensing firmware. Its low active current (a few mA at 4 MHz) and small PLCC-44 footprint simplify enclosure design in remote or wall-mounted sensor enclosures.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance Controller
The PIC16LF874T-04/L is a fit for consumer appliance controllers (coffee machines, washing machines, microwave ovens) because the 33 I/O lines multiplex seven-segment drivers, keypad scans, and buzzer/relay outputs while the USART interfaces to inverter boards. The 7 KB Flash accommodates the typical mid-complexity appliance firmware, and the ICSP programming interface allows factory firmware updates. The PLCC-44 package is socket-compatible for serviceability in field-replaceable modules.
Recommended
Automotive Aftermarket Accessory
The PIC16LF874T-04/L drives automotive aftermarket accessories (alarm modules, LED drivers, fan controllers) where its 33 I/O lines are split between keypad/display and load drivers, and the 8-channel ADC reads battery voltage and sensor feedback. Note that this part is commercial-temp graded; for under-hood or extreme-ambient installations, choose the PIC16LF874-04I/L industrial variant. The LF grade handles 12 V battery regulation down to 3.3 V reliably.
Recommended
Battery Charger / Power Management Front End
The PIC16LF874T-04/L controls simple NiMH/Li-ion chargers where its 10-bit ADC monitors cell voltage and current with 7.5 mV LSB (at 5 V Vref), and its PWM modules regulate switching converters via feedback. The LF grade accepts a single-cell Li-ion rail (2.0 V-5.5 V) directly, simplifying charger topology. The 128-byte EEPROM stores charge profile parameters, and 192 bytes RAM is sufficient for a single-channel charging state machine without dynamic memory allocation.
Recommended
Educational / Development Platform
The PIC16LF874T-04/L is a common choice in university microcontroller courses and hobbyist projects because of its well-documented PIC16F87X architecture, plentiful application notes from Microchip, and standard PLCC-44 socket compatibility for easy prototyping. The 33 I/O lines, full peripheral set (ADC, PWM, I2C, SPI, USART), and 7 KB Flash exercise virtually every 8-bit MCU concept without overwhelming beginners. PICkit programmers support ICSP for in-circuit debugging.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF874T-04/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16F874-04/L | PIC16LF874-04I/L | PIC16F877A-I/L | PIC16F874-04I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-pin PLCC (16.59x16.59 mm) | 44-pin PLCC - same | 44-pin PLCC - same | 44-pin PLCC - same | 44-pin PLCC - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) | 7 KB (same) | 7 KB (same) | 14 KB (+100%) | 7 KB (same) |
| RAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes (same) | 192 bytes (same) | 368 bytes (+92%) | 192 bytes (same) |
| EEPROM | 128 bytes | 128 bytes (same) | 128 bytes (same) | 256 bytes (+100%) | 128 bytes (same) |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF grade) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (F grade) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (F grade) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) | 0 °C to +70 °C (Commercial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| Max CPU Clock | 4 MHz (04 grade) | 4 MHz (same) | 4 MHz (same) | 20 MHz (max) | 4 MHz (same) |
| I/O Pins | 33 | 33 (same) | 33 (same) | 33 (same) | 33 (same) |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1) | $3.95 | $4.50 | $5.10 | $5.50 | $5.20 |
Key Differentiators
- Wide-voltage LF grade for low-power battery operation (vs PIC16F874-04/L (standard F grade))
- Cost-effective mid-range 8-bit MCU with full peripheral set (vs PIC16F877A-I/L)
- Commercial temperature grade optimized for indoor industrial use (vs PIC16LF874-04I/L (industrial temp grade))
- PLCC-44 socket compatibility for serviceability (vs TQFP-44 (PIC16LF874AT-I/PT))
Design Notes
The PIC16LF874T-04/L requires a decoupling capacitor (100 nF ceramic) within 5 mm of the VDD/VSS pins and a bulk capacitor (10 uF tantalum or aluminum) at the supply rail. The LF grade (2.0 V to 5.5 V) lets the part share a 3.3 V rail with other peripherals, but ensure the regulator has at least 50 mA headroom for I/O switching transients and ADC reference current draw. A separate analog AVdd trace is recommended if the ADC is used to minimize digital noise coupling into analog readings.
Do not confuse the LF grade (2.0 V to 5.5 V) with the F grade (4.0 V to 5.5 V); applying 3.3 V to a PIC16F874 will fail to operate below the brown-out threshold. The MCLR pin must be pulled high through a 10 kohm resistor for normal operation; leaving it floating causes erratic resets. When using ICSP, ensure the PGC/PGD pins (RB6/RB7) are not heavily loaded by external circuitry during programming, or the programmer will fail to communicate.
Place the 4 MHz crystal/ceramic resonator within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 with the load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF) grounded close to the MCU ground pin. The PLCC-44 socket should be retained with proper hold-down hardware since PLCC sockets can vibrate loose in high-shock industrial environments. Keep high-current switching traces (relay/triac outputs) at least 10 mm away from the oscillator traces to avoid noise injection into the system clock.
Estimated: At 4 MHz, VDD=5 V, and all 33 I/O lines switching at full load, the PIC16LF874T-04/L dissipates approximately 250 mW (calculated from datasheet DC characteristics, IDD ~50 mA at 5 V). This is well within the thermal limit of the PLCC-44 package (theta_JA ~50 C/W, junction rise ~12.5 C above ambient at 250 mW), so no heatsink is required. Industrial variants with industrial temperature grade may dissipate slightly more at extended temperature due to leakage current.
Compliance Information
RoHS, lead-free, and halogen-free status not stated in the verified web snippets; consult the Microchip product page or the device datasheet's compliance section for definitive values. AEC-Q100 is not applicable since this is a commercial-temperature-grade general-purpose MCU not marketed for automotive safety-critical applications.
