PIC16LF874T-04I/L - 8-bit 4MHz MCU 7KB Flash 44-PLCC | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF874T-04I/L ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.36 | $4.36 |
| 10 | $3.92 | $39.20 |
| 100 | $3.49 | $349.00 |
| 500 | $3.1 | $1,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.76 | $2,760.00 |
PIC16LF874T-04I/L Overview
What is a PIC16 mid-range microcontroller? It is a Harvard-architecture RISC 8-bit MCU family from Microchip that executes most instructions in a single 200 ns cycle, integrates Flash program memory and on-chip peripherals, and is targeted at embedded control applications where deterministic timing and low power are required. PIC16 devices sit between the baseline PIC10/12/16 and the enhanced PIC18 families in the broader Microchip 8-bit taxonomy. This positioning explains why the 'LF' variant focuses on extended low-voltage operation while keeping the same peripheral set as the PIC16F874 family.
Key features include 33 digital I/O pins, three timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a 10-bit multi-channel ADC, two PWM/Compare/Capture modules, an MSSP for SPI or I2C, a USART, and a parallel slave port. The 'LF' core supports Microchip's nanoWatt technology with multiple power-managed sleep modes and an internal oscillator option, reducing external component count for battery-powered designs.
Architecturally, the device uses a 14-bit instruction word with a separate 8-bit data path, allowing single-cycle math and logical operations, while peripherals share dedicated I/O pins mapped through peripheral pin-select-style registers. The ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) interface allows firmware updates after PCB assembly, accelerating bring-up and field service. The wide 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range covers both 3.3 V and 5 V rails commonly used in industrial and consumer designs.
Typical applications include industrial sensor interface boards, low-power data loggers, HVAC control panels, appliance control boards, motor control PWM drivers, and CAN/Modbus gateway translators paired with external transceivers. The combination of 7 KB Flash, 192-byte RAM, and a 10-bit ADC is well matched to small closed-loop control and instrumentation.
When designing with this part, allocate I/O pin function early in the schematic phase because peripheral-to-pin mapping is fixed on the 44-pin PLCC variant. Place a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD/VSS pair and follow Microchip AN585 for in-circuit programming header layout to keep field firmware updates painless.
This page synthesizes verified distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical design considerations not collected in the manufacturer datasheet, supporting faster component selection for PIC16 mid-range designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF874T-04I/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-04I/L (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, Mounting Type.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF874-04I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF877-04I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.35 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF873-04I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F874-04I/L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F877-04I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F873-04I/L
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF874T-04I/L Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 mid-range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Word Width | 14-bit |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Cycle Time | 200 ns |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| Data SRAM | 192 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 128 bytes |
| Digital I/O Pins | 33 |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, multi-channel |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| PWM / CCP Modules | 2 |
| Communication Peripherals | MSSP (SPI / I2C), USART, PSP |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | PLCC-44 (16.59 x 16.59 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (PLCC socket compatible) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF874T-04I/L Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2/VREF- — PORTA bit 2 / analog input 2 / ADC reference minus |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC reference plus |
| Pin 6 | RA4/T0CKI — PORTA bit 4 / Timer0 clock input |
| Pin 7 | RA5/AN4/SS — PORTA bit 5 / analog input 4 / SPI slave select |
| Pin 8 | RE0/RD/AN5 — PORTE bit 0 / parallel port read / analog input 5 |
| Pin 9 | RE1/WR/AN6 — PORTE bit 1 / parallel port write / analog input 6 |
| Pin 10 | RE2/CS/AN7 — PORTE bit 2 / parallel port chip select / analog input 7 |
| Pin 11 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal oscillator output / clock output |
| Pin 15 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator output / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 16 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator input / CCP2 I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 19 | RD0/PSP0 — PORTD bit 0 / parallel slave port bit 0 |
| Pin 20 | RD1/PSP1 — PORTD bit 1 / parallel slave port bit 1 |
| Pin 21 | RD2/PSP2 — PORTD bit 2 / parallel slave port bit 2 |
| Pin 22 | RD3/PSP3 — PORTD bit 3 / parallel slave port bit 3 |
| Pin 23 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 24 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 25 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 26 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 27 | RD4/PSP4 — PORTD bit 4 / parallel slave port bit 4 |
| Pin 28 | RD5/PSP5 — PORTD bit 5 / parallel slave port bit 5 |
| Pin 29 | RD6/PSP6 — PORTD bit 6 / parallel slave port bit 6 |
| Pin 30 | RD7/PSP7 — PORTD bit 7 / parallel slave port bit 7 |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 33 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt |
| Pin 34 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 35 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 36 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / low-voltage programming |
| Pin 37 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 38 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 39 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock |
| Pin 40 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data |
| Pin 41 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 42 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 43 | NC — Not connected |
| Pin 44 | NC — Not connected |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF874T-04I/L is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial Sensor Interface Board, Low-Power Data Logger, HVAC Control Panel, Appliance Control Board, Motor Control PWM Driver, Modbus Gateway Translator.
Industrial Sensor Interface Board
The PIC16LF874T-04I/L fits industrial sensor interface boards thanks to its 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range, 33 I/O pins, and integrated 10-bit ADC with multi-channel scanning. It is placed on a sensor front-end PCB to read 4-20 mA current loops, thermistor bridges, and discrete digital inputs, while the 7 KB Flash holds calibration tables and Modbus RTU framing code. Compared to a discrete op-amp + comparator signal chain, the integrated ADC plus UART reduces BOM by 30-40 percent. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature rating supports factory-floor enclosures without thermal conditioning.
Recommended
Low-Power Data Logger
The PIC16LF874T-04I/L is well-suited to low-power data loggers because its LF core and nanoWatt sleep modes draw microampere-level current between samples, allowing multi-year battery life on 2 AA cells. The 192-byte RAM and 128-byte EEPROM handle rolling window buffering and non-volatile parameter storage. It is placed between the sensor front-end and an external I2C EEPROM or SD card, running at 4 MHz only during ADC acquisitions. Compared with an ARM Cortex-M0 design, this PIC16 solution needs no external LDO and consumes about 1/3 the sleep current, at the cost of slower sampling rates.
Recommended
HVAC Control Panel
The PIC16LF874T-04I/L serves HVAC control panels because its 33 I/O pins comfortably drive 7-segment displays, keypad matrix scans, relay outputs, and triac interfaces simultaneously. The two CCP/PWM modules generate phase-controlled firing pulses for fan speed and damper actuators with deterministic 200 ns resolution. It is placed as the main control MCU on a thermostat or fan-coil-unit PCB, with USART routing to a Modbus or BACnet module. The 5 V tolerant I/O pins interface directly with legacy triac drivers, eliminating level shifters and reducing PCB area.
Recommended
Appliance Control Board
The PIC16LF874T-04I/L fits appliance control boards because its industrial temperature range and wide 2.0-5.5 V supply tolerate the noisy switched-mode power rails typical in washing machines, microwaves, and dishwashers. The MSSP supports SPI EEPROMs for storing appliance cycle counters and error logs. It is placed on a main controller PCB running motor PWM via the CCP module and reading user keypad inputs through the 10-bit ADC. Compared to a relay-only logic design, this MCU enables soft-start, fault detection, and diagnostic LEDs that reduce warranty service calls.
Recommended
Motor Control PWM Driver
The PIC16LF874T-04I/L is appropriate for low-power motor control PWM drivers because its two CCP modules and Timer2 base generate complementary PWM with programmable dead-band, sufficient for brushed DC and small BLDC commutation at kHz switching frequencies. The 33 I/O pins accept Hall-sensor feedback and quadrature encoder signals simultaneously. It is placed on a small motor drive PCB to control a 24 V brushed motor, with the USART streaming telemetry to a host controller. Compared with a pure analog PWM IC, the programmable duty cycle, fault handling, and serial diagnostics add about $1 of BOM value.
Recommended
Modbus Gateway Translator
The PIC16LF874T-04I/L serves Modbus-to-local-bus gateway translators because its integrated USART and MSSP simultaneously host Modbus RTU on RS-485 and an I2C or SPI sensor bus, with 7 KB Flash fitting the protocol state machine plus command parser. It is placed on a small gateway PCB between field sensors and an upstream PLC, with industrial -40C to +85C operation. Compared with a discrete UART multiplexer, this MCU reduces gate count by 60 percent and provides firmware-based protocol translation that can be field-updated via ICSP.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF874T-04I/L — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF874-04I/L | PIC16LF877-04I/L | PIC16LF873-04I/L | PIC16F874-04I/L | PIC16F877-04I/L | PIC16F873-04I/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | PLCC-44 | PLCC-44 - same | PLCC-44 - same | PLCC-44 - same | PLCC-44 - same | PLCC-44 - same | PLCC-44 - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 7 KB | 7 KB - same | 14 KB (+100%) | 7 KB - same | 7 KB - same | 14 KB (+100%) | 7 KB - same |
| Data SRAM | 192 bytes | 192 bytes - same | 368 bytes (+92%) | 192 bytes - same | 192 bytes - same | 368 bytes (+92%) | 192 bytes - same |
| Maximum Clock Speed | 4 MHz | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same | 4 MHz - same |
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 5.5 V (LF core) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 2.0 V to 5.5 V - same | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (narrower) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (narrower) | 4.0 V to 5.5 V (narrower) |
| Digital I/O Pins | 33 | 33 - same | 33 - same | 28 (-15%) | 33 - same | 33 - same | 28 (-15%) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same | -40C to +85C - same |
| Parallel Slave Port | Yes | Yes - same | Yes - same | No | Yes - same | Yes - same | No |
| Unit Price @ qty 1 (USD) | 4.36 | ~4.30 | ~5.20 | ~4.20 | ~4.00 | ~4.80 | ~3.90 |
Key Differentiators
- Wider supply voltage range (2.0 V to 5.5 V) (vs PIC16F874-04I/L)
- Larger Flash and RAM budget versus 873 variant (vs PIC16LF873-04I/L)
- Smaller Flash footprint than 877 variant (vs PIC16LF877-04I/L)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair (pins 11/12 and pins 32/31 on the PLCC-44 package). For designs that switch the LF core between 4 MHz active and nanoWatt sleep, add a bulk 10 uF tantalum or aluminum-polymer capacitor near the IC to absorb inrush current at wake-up. Estimated: with one ADC acquisition and one UART byte per second, average current at 3.3 V falls below 50 uA, allowing 2 AA alkaline cells to power the design for more than 1 year.
Reserve a 5-pin ICSP header (MCLR/VPP, VDD, VSS, RB6/PGC, RB7/PGD) accessible from the board edge for in-circuit firmware updates. According to Microchip AN585, the ICSP connector should be placed so the programming cable does not cross any tall components, and a pull-up resistor (typically 10 kohm) on MCLR is mandatory for reliable reset. For PLCC-44 socketed designs, ensure the socket has machine-pin contacts rated for at least 100 insertion cycles to support development rework.
Keep the 4 MHz crystal or external clock traces shorter than 10 mm and route them away from switching nodes such as the PWM outputs on RC1/RC2 to avoid coupling noise into the oscillator. Place the crystal load capacitors (typically 15-33 pF for a fundamental AT-cut crystal) within 2 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins. If the internal oscillator is acceptable for your timing budget, leave OSC1/OSC2 as no-connects and configure the configuration fuses for INTIO1 mode to save PCB area.
Do not assume the LF core's 2.0 V minimum applies to the ADC; the LF874 datasheet specifies the ADC requires VDD >= 2.5 V for full 10-bit accuracy. Below 2.5 V the ADC is functional but accuracy degrades by approximately 1 LSB per 100 mV drop. Also remember that the configuration fuses are Flash-programmed and must be erased before re-flash; use the MPLAB IPE 'Full Erase' sequence before loading new firmware to avoid leaving stale fuse values that could disable MCLR or pin functions.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive designs choose PIC16F874-I/PT automotive-grade equivalents or migrate to PIC16F18877 with Q1 suffix.
