PIC16LF876-04/SO - 8-Bit 4MHz 14KB Flash MCU | Microchip | SOIC-28
MPN: PIC16LF876-04/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.78 | $7.78 |
| 10 | $6.92 | $69.20 |
| 100 | $6.05 | $605.00 |
| 500 | $5.32 | $2,660.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.78 | $4,780.00 |
PIC16LF876-04/SO Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and integrated peripherals such as timers, ADC, communication interfaces, and I/O ports. The PIC16F family belongs to Microchip's mid-range 14-bit instruction set architecture, sitting between the baseline 12-bit PIC10/12/16 cores and the enhanced 16-bit PIC18 family in the broader PIC taxonomy: PIC10/12 baseline -> PIC16 mid-range -> PIC18 enhanced -> dsPIC33/PIC32 16-bit. Mid-range MCUs balance code density, peripheral integration, and low power consumption, making them ubiquitous in embedded control.
Key features of the PIC16LF876-04/SO include 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory, 22 digital I/O pins, a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with up to 8 channels, three timers (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2), a synchronous/asynchronous serial port (USART/SCI), and a Master Synchronous Serial Port (MSSP) supporting both SPI and I2C modes. The 35 single-word instruction RISC core delivers 200 ns instruction execution at 20 MHz equivalent and 1 µs at 4 MHz. The wide 2.0V-5.5V supply range enables direct battery operation from a single lithium cell (3.6V nominal) or 5V regulated rails.
The architecture uses a Harvard-style separate program and data bus, with Flash program memory accessed via a 14-bit instruction word, supporting self-programming and in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) through two dedicated pins. Brown-out reset (BOR), power-on reset (POR), watchdog timer (WDT), and a low-power SLEEP mode enhance robustness in unattended applications. The instruction set is largely upward-compatible with PIC16C5X, PIC12CXXX, and PIC16C7X devices, simplifying code migration.
Typical applications include industrial control, IoT edge nodes, motor control and metering, low-power sensor boards, embedded automation, and consumer products where a 28-pin footprint and 4 MHz performance are sufficient. It is also widely used in educational platforms and legacy product retrofits.
When designing with this MCU, plan for the 28-pin SOIC wide-body (300 mil) footprint, ensure decoupling with a 100 nF ceramic cap on VDD, and reserve the ICSPDAT/ICSPCLK pins (RB7/RB6 or RB3/RB4 depending on configuration) for in-circuit programming headers. For new designs consider the pin-compatible PIC16F886 (more peripherals) or PIC16F876A (enhanced ADC) drop-in upgrades.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, application recommendations, and practical design notes not aggregated on any single distributor page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF876-04/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 PIC16LF876-04/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Communication, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF876-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$7.02 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF876-04/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F876-04I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16F876A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16F876-04/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF873-04/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF876-04/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC16 Mid-Range 8-bit RISC |
| Instruction Set Width | 14-bit |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14 words) |
| RAM | 368 bytes |
| EEPROM Data Memory | 256 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz |
| Instruction Execution Time | 1 µs @ 4 MHz (200 ns cycle) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| I/O Pins | 22 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 8 channels |
| Timers | 3 (Timer0, Timer1, Timer2) |
| Communication | USART (SCI), MSSP (SPI / I2C) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) wide-body 300 mil |
| ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) | Yes (2-wire) |
| Brown-out Reset / Power-on Reset | Yes |
| Watchdog Timer | Yes |
| SLEEP / Low-Power Mode | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC16LF876-04/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR/VPP — Master Clear (reset) input / programming voltage |
| Pin 2 | RA0/AN0 — PORTA bit 0 / analog input channel 0 |
| Pin 3 | RA1/AN1 — PORTA bit 1 / analog input channel 1 |
| Pin 4 | RA2/AN2 — PORTA bit 2 / analog input channel 2 |
| Pin 5 | RA3/AN3/VREF+ — PORTA bit 3 / analog input 3 / ADC VREF+ |
| 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 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 9 | OSC1/CLKIN — Crystal oscillator input / external clock in |
| Pin 10 | OSC2/CLKOUT — Crystal oscillator output / clock out (Fosc/4) |
| Pin 11 | RC0/T1OSO/T1CKI — PORTC bit 0 / Timer1 oscillator out / Timer1 clock |
| Pin 12 | RC1/T1OSI/CCP2 — PORTC bit 1 / Timer1 oscillator in / CCP2 output |
| Pin 13 | RC2/CCP1 — PORTC bit 2 / CCP1 PWM output |
| Pin 14 | RC3/SCK/SCL — PORTC bit 3 / SPI clock / I2C clock |
| Pin 15 | RC4/SDI/SDA — PORTC bit 4 / SPI data in / I2C data |
| Pin 16 | RC5/SDO — PORTC bit 5 / SPI data out |
| Pin 17 | RC6/TX/CK — PORTC bit 6 / USART TX / USART clock |
| Pin 18 | RC7/RX/DT — PORTC bit 7 / USART RX / USART data |
| Pin 19 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (+2.0 to +5.5 V) |
| Pin 21 | RB0/INT — PORTB bit 0 / external interrupt input |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — PORTB bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — PORTB bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3/PGM — PORTB bit 3 / LVP programming input |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — PORTB bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — PORTB bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6/PGC — PORTB bit 6 / ICSP clock (programming) |
| Pin 28 | RB7/PGD — PORTB bit 7 / ICSP data (programming) |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF876-04/SO is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Control and Metering, Low-Power IoT Edge Nodes, Embedded Motor Control, Consumer Appliance User Interface, Educational and Hobby Platforms, Legacy Product Retrofit and Maintenance, Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety).
Industrial Control and Metering
The PIC16LF876-04/SO's 14 KB Flash and 2.0-5.5 V supply make it a strong fit for industrial control endpoints. It runs directly from a 24V->5V regulated bus while supporting on-chip 10-bit ADC sampling of up to 8 analog channels for current, voltage, and temperature telemetry in motor drives, smart energy meters, and process controllers. The USART connects to RS-485 transceivers for Modbus RTU slave operation, while the MSSP drives I2C sensor front-ends. Code fits comfortably in 8K x 14 Flash with the 35-instruction mid-range RISC core delivering deterministic interrupt latency for closed-loop control loops. Designers choose the LF variant over the F876 to enable operation across industrial 24V bus transients without dropping out of regulation.
Recommended
Low-Power IoT Edge Nodes
The PIC16LF876-04/SO is well suited to battery-powered IoT sensor nodes because the LF core operates down to 2.0 V, allowing a single 3.6 V lithium primary cell to drive the MCU for years. The SLEEP mode with watchdog wake-up draws microamps, while the on-chip 10-bit ADC samples resistive bridge or thermistor sensors before transmitting over the USART or I2C. With 14 KB Flash the device holds application code, sensor calibration tables, and a small command parser without external memory. Compared to 32-bit Cortex-M0 parts the PIC16LF876 is dramatically lower cost and lower quiescent current at modest duty cycles, while sharing the same 28-pin SOIC footprint as newer PIC16F886 upgrades. Designers appreciate the F876 architecture for ultra-low-power, periodically-sleeping sensor boards.
Recommended
Embedded Motor Control
The PIC16LF876-04/SO controls small DC brush and stepper motors in appliances, fans, valves, and small pumps. The Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) module on the Timer2 base generates up to 10-bit PWM for H-bridge drivers, while the on-chip ADC samples back-EMF and current-sense resistors for closed-loop speed regulation. The 22 digital I/O pins drive direction lines, brake FETs, and quadrature encoder inputs without external logic. The 14 KB Flash accommodates state-machine control tables and PI loop constants, while the 256-byte EEPROM stores nonvolatile trim and configuration. Designers prefer the 28-pin SOIC over the SPDIP for SMT-friendly motor boards and choose the LF variant when the motor bus is below 5 V.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance User Interface
The PIC16LF876-04/SO is widely used in washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, and coffee machine user-interface boards where cost, reliability, and BOM simplicity are critical. The 22 I/O pins drive 7-segment displays, keypads, and LED indicators through Charlieplexing or external shift registers, while the MSSP (SPI) drives LED driver chips for animated feedback. The 10-bit ADC reads potentiometer knobs and thermistor inputs for temperature regulation. The LF supply range tolerates direct connection to a rectified 5 V rail without a separate LDO, reducing BOM cost. The 28-pin SOIC wide-body package offers better mechanical reliability in vibration-prone appliances than smaller DFN/QFN parts.
Recommended
Educational and Hobby Platforms
The PIC16LF876-04/SO is a mainstay of university embedded systems and electronics hobbyist courses because it pairs a simple 35-instruction mid-range RISC core with enough peripherals (ADC, USART, SPI, I2C) to teach real-world interfacing without overwhelming beginners. The 28-pin SOIC package fits standard 600 mil wide DIL breakout boards, allowing students to swap chips easily. The LF supply range means a 3.3 V regulator or two AA cells power the board safely. MPLAB X IDE and the free XC8 compiler are widely available, while PICkit 3/4 programmers program the device in-circuit through the ICSP header on RB6/RB7. Hobby projects frequently upgrade from PIC16F84A (only 1.75 KB Flash) to the F876's 14 KB to add networking, displays, or motor control.
Recommended
Legacy Product Retrofit and Maintenance
The PIC16LF876-04/SO is commonly stocked by repair houses and contract manufacturers maintaining 2000s-era industrial controllers, security alarm panels, and HVAC equipment where the original MCU must be replaced with a like-for-like part. Its long-term Microchip product life cycle support (still active as of 2026-09-25) ensures form-fit-function continuity for service replacements. The 28-pin SOIC package matches the original wave-soldered pads of legacy PCBs, and the same 14 KB Flash allows direct binary compatibility with the original firmware image. Engineers prefer the LF variant for HVAC outdoor units because the wider 2.0-5.5 V supply tolerates brownouts during compressor inrush. Distributors keep the part in tube and reel packaging for both OEM and after-market channels.
Recommended
Automotive Body Electronics (Non-Safety)
The PIC16LF876-04/SO appears in non-safety automotive body modules - interior lighting, seat controllers, mirror adjusters, and accessory timers - where its 14 KB Flash and 22 I/O pins drive MOSFET switches and read switches/sensors without AEC-Q100 cost pressure. While this part itself is not automotive-qualified, it is widely used in aftermarket accessories and low-volume specialty vehicles where the -40C to +85C industrial grade (the I-variant) suffices. The 28-pin SOIC withstands vibration when properly potted, and the LF supply range handles 12 V battery transients when paired with a 5 V LDO. Engineers choose this part for cost-sensitive body controllers and migrate to AEC-Q100 PIC16F876A or dsPIC33 parts only when the vehicle OEM mandates full automotive qualification.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF876-04/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF876-04I/SO | PIC16F876-04I/SO | PIC16F876A-I/SO | PIC16LF873-04/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SOIC (SO) wide-body | 28-SOIC (SO) wide-body - same | 28-SOIC (SO) wide-body - same | 28-SOIC (SO) wide-body - same | 28-SOIC (SO) wide-body - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 14 KB (8K x 14) | 7 KB (4K x 14) |
| RAM | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 368 bytes | 192 bytes |
| Maximum Clock Frequency | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 4 MHz | 20 MHz | 4 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 4.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V | 2.0 V to 5.5 V |
| Operating Temperature | 0C to +70C (commercial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | 0C to +70C (commercial) |
| I/O Pins | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Key Differentiators
- Low-voltage 2.0 V to 5.5 V supply range vs standard F876's 4.0 V-5.5 V (vs PIC16F876-04/SO)
- Commercial 0C to +70C grade vs industrial -40C to +85C (vs PIC16LF876-04I/SO)
- 14 KB Flash vs 7 KB on the PIC16LF873 (vs PIC16LF873-04/SO)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 20) and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic cap on the same VDD trace. Connect both VSS pins (8 and 19) to a low-impedance ground plane directly under the chip. The 28-pin SOIC wide-body package is 300 mil wide; use a matching land pattern (IPC-7351 nominal) and route power traces at least 0.2 mm wide for the 100 mA VDD peaks. Keep crystal traces short and guard them with a ground ring to avoid oscillator noise coupling into the ADC.
Do not leave the MCLR/VPP pin floating; tie it to VDD through a 10 kohm resistor with a 100 nF cap to ground for noise filtering, or drive it directly from a supervisor IC. Avoid using RB3 as a general-purpose input when low-voltage programming (LVP) is enabled - it becomes the PGM pin and a stray low level can unintentionally enter programming mode. Ensure the ICSP header pins RB6 (PGC) and RB7 (PGD) remain accessible if you intend to field-update firmware, or budget for a bootloader via the USART instead.
The LF supply range (2.0 V - 5.5 V) means the MCU can run from a single Li primary cell (3.6 V nominal) down to 2.0 V cut-off without an LDO. When powering from a 5 V USB rail, add a 100 ohm series resistor or ferrite bead to limit inrush during hot-plug. For battery applications, enable the BOR (brown-out reset) at the lowest acceptable VDD threshold (e.g., 2.0 V) to prevent code corruption during cell end-of-life. Use the SLEEP mode with watchdog wake-up to achieve microamp-level quiescent current on IoT nodes.
The 10-bit ADC achieves best linearity when the analog supply impedance is below 10 kohm; place a 100 nF ceramic cap plus a small RC filter on each analog input pin when sampling high-impedance sensors. Avoid routing digital switching signals (PWM, USART TX) directly across analog input traces on the same PCB layer. The ADC reference (VREF+/VREF-) defaults to VDD/VSS; for higher accuracy, drive VREF+ from an external 4.096 V or 5.0 V reference such as the MCP1541 or MCP1525. The USART baud-rate error must stay below 2.5% at the chosen oscillator; use BRGH=1 and even SPBRG values where possible.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; the I-grade variant extends temperature range but does not provide automotive qualification. Halogen-free status not stated explicitly in the verified data.
