MCP4241-502E/SL Microchip Integrated Circuit (Small Outline Packages) In Stock
Microchip MCP4241-502E/SL is a dual-channel 5 kΩ digital potentiometer with 128 wiper positions controlled via an increment/decrement interface, housed in a 14-pin SOIC package. It provides non-volatile wiper position storage and a 2 kHz bandwidth for audio and signal conditioning applications. Available from stock worldwide with fast shipping.
- Manufacturer
- Microchip
- Package
- Small Outline Packages
- Pin Count
- 14
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- MCP4241-502E/SL Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- Price
- From $0.9390(MOQ 1)
- Temp Range
- -40.0°C to 125.0°C
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
Key Features
- Dual-channel 5 kΩ digital potentiometer with 128 steps (approximately 39 Ω per step), enabling fine-grained analog control from a digital interface in a single IC
- Non-volatile wiper position memory retaining the last programmed resistance setting across power cycles, eliminating initialization routines in end products
- Increment/decrement control interface requiring only 2 signal lines for wiper adjustment, simplifying firmware and PCB routing in space-constrained designs
Applications
The MCP4241-502E/SL is used in programmable gain amplifier circuits, audio volume and balance controls, and calibration trimmers for sensor signal conditioning where a mechanically adjustable potentiometer must be replaced with a digitally controlled equivalent. Its dual-channel architecture and non-volatile storage make it well-suited for stereo audio equipment, LCD contrast and backlight control, and precision voltage divider applications that must retain calibration values after power-down. Industrial calibration fixtures, medical device parameter adjustment, and automated test equipment also rely on this device for repeatable, software-driven resistance settings.
Specifications
| Pbfree Code | Yes |
| Manufacturer Package Code | SOIC-14 |
| Factory Lead Time | 7Weeks |
| YTEOL | 9 |
| Bandwidth-Nom | 2kHz |
| Control Interface | INCREMENT/DECREMENT |
| Converter Type | DIGITAL POTENTIOMETER |
| JESD-30 Code | R-PDSO-G14 |
| JESD-609 Code | e3 |
| Number of Functions | 1 |
| Number of Positions | 257 |
| Package Body Material | PLASTIC/EPOXY |
| Package Equivalence Code | SOP14,.25 |
| Package Shape | RECTANGULAR |
| Package Style | SMALL OUTLINE |
| Peak Reflow Temperature (Cel) | 260 |
| Qualification Status | Not Qualified |
| Resistance Law | LINEAR |
| Resistance Tolerance-Max | 20% |
| Resistor Terminal Voltage-Max | 5V |
| Supply Current-Max | 1mA |
| Supply Voltage-Nom | 5V |
| Surface Mount | YES |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Temperature Coefficient-Nom | 150ppm/°C |
| Temperature Grade | AUTOMOTIVE |
| Terminal Finish | Matte Tin (Sn) |
| Terminal Form | GULL WING |
| Terminal Pitch | 1.27mm |
| Terminal Position | DUAL |
| Time@Peak Reflow Temperature-Max (s) | 40 |
| Total Resistance-Nom | 5000Ω |
| Package | Small Outline Packages |
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
| Moisture Sensitivity Level | MSL 1 |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
| HTS Code | 8542.39.00.01 |
| Country of Origin | Thailand |
Alternate & Equivalent Parts
No known alternates. Submit an RFQ and our team can suggest alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many resistance steps does MCP4241-502E/SL provide, and what is the effective resolution per step at the 5 kΩ end-to-end resistance?
The MCP4241-502E/SL provides 128 wiper positions across a 5 kΩ end-to-end resistance, resulting in a step size of approximately 39 Ω per increment. This resolution supports fine-grained analog adjustments suitable for audio volume controls, programmable gain stages, and precision voltage dividers where smooth, repeatable resistance changes are required without mechanical wear.
Does MCP4241-502E/SL retain its wiper position after power is removed, and how does this benefit production calibration workflows?
Yes, the MCP4241-502E/SL includes non-volatile memory that stores the wiper position when explicitly commanded, retaining the last saved resistance setting across power cycles indefinitely. In production calibration workflows, this eliminates the need for external EEPROM to save calibration trims and removes microcontroller initialization code that would otherwise restore potentiometer settings on every power-up, reducing firmware complexity and startup latency.
What control interface does MCP4241-502E/SL use, and how does increment/decrement compare to SPI-based digital potentiometers for MCU integration?
The MCP4241-502E/SL uses a 2-wire increment/decrement interface (U/D pin and CS pin) rather than a full SPI bus. This simplifies firmware to simple GPIO toggling instead of SPI frame management, and reduces the pin count on the host microcontroller by 1 to 2 pins compared to SPI alternatives. The trade-off is slower position changes (one step per CS pulse) versus direct register writes available on SPI models.
For a stereo audio design, how does the dual-channel architecture of MCP4241-502E/SL save board space compared to two single-channel potentiometer ICs?
The MCP4241-502E/SL integrates 2 independent potentiometer channels in a single 14-pin SOIC package measuring approximately 9 mm x 4 mm. Replacing two single-channel MCP4141 devices in SOIC-8 packages would require roughly twice the board area plus an additional VDD decoupling capacitor per device. The dual-channel integration directly cuts BOM cost and PCB footprint in stereo volume, balance, and equalizer circuits where matched channel behavior is also easier to achieve within one device.
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| Qty. | Unit Price | Ext. Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | $1.3100 | $1.31 |
| 100+ | $1.0600 | $106.00 |
| 1000+ | $1.0200 | $1020.00 |
| 5000+ | $1.0100 | $5050.00 |
| 5016+ | $0.9480 | $4755.17 |
| 7524+ | $0.9390 | $7065.04 |
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