MCP4251-104E/P Microchip Integrated Circuit (Dual-In-Line Packages) In Stock
Microchip MCP4251-104E/P is a dual-channel 100 kΩ digital potentiometer with 257 linear positions controlled via SPI. It uses increment/decrement commands, supports volatile and non-volatile wiper storage, and comes in an 8-pin PDIP package for prototyping and embedded gain-control designs.
- Manufacturer
- Microchip
- Package
- Dual-In-Line Packages
- Pin Count
- 14
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- MCP4251-104E/P Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- Price
- From $0.2214(MOQ 1)
- Temp Range
- -40.0°C to 125.0°C
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
What are the key features of MCP4251-104E/P?
- Dual-channel 100 kΩ digital potentiometer with 257 linear positions for fine-grained control
- SPI interface with increment/decrement command set for simple step-based wiper adjustment
- Non-volatile wiper position memory retains settings across power cycles
- 8-pin PDIP package enabling straightforward breadboard prototyping and DIP-socket insertion
- RoHS and Pb-free compliant with JESD-609 e3 rating and 9-year YTEOL supply continuity
What is MCP4251-104E/P used for?
The MCP4251-104E/P is commonly used in dual-channel programmable gain amplifiers, stereo audio volume control, and two-axis motor current limit circuits where independent SPI-controlled resistance adjustment per channel is required. Its PDIP-8 package makes it a practical choice for prototype boards, laboratory instruments, and development kits before transitioning to a surface-mount variant in production.
What are the specifications of MCP4251-104E/P?
| Pbfree Code | Yes |
| Manufacturer Package Code | PDIP-14 |
| Factory Lead Time | 7Weeks |
| YTEOL | 9 |
| Bandwidth-Nom | 0.1kHz |
| Control Interface | INCREMENT/DECREMENT |
| Converter Type | DIGITAL POTENTIOMETER |
| JESD-30 Code | R-PDIP-T14 |
| JESD-609 Code | e3 |
| Number of Functions | 1 |
| Number of Positions | 257 |
| Package Body Material | PLASTIC/EPOXY |
| Package Equivalence Code | DIP14,.3 |
| Package Shape | RECTANGULAR |
| Package Style | IN-LINE |
| 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 | NO |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Temperature Coefficient-Nom | 150ppm/°C |
| Temperature Grade | AUTOMOTIVE |
| Terminal Finish | Matte Tin (Sn) |
| Terminal Form | THROUGH-HOLE |
| Terminal Pitch | 2.54mm |
| Terminal Position | DUAL |
| Total Resistance-Nom | 100000Ω |
| Package | Dual-In-Line Packages |
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
| HTS Code | 8542.39.00.01 |
| Country of Origin | Thailand |
Where can I find the MCP4251-104E/P datasheet?
MCP4251-104E/P Datasheet DownloadOfficial datasheet from Microchip
What are equivalent replacements for MCP4251-104E/P?
No known alternates. Submit an RFQ and our team can suggest alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 257-position resolution of MCP4251-104E/P improve analog control accuracy compared to 128-position devices?
With 257 wiper positions across the 100 kΩ range, the MCP4251-104E/P provides a step size of approximately 391 Ω, which is half the step size of a 128-position device at about 787 Ω. This finer resolution reduces quantization error in precision gain control, DAC output scaling, and calibration circuits by up to 50% compared to lower-resolution alternatives.
Does the MCP4251-104E/P retain wiper position after power is removed, and how does that affect system startup behavior?
Yes, the MCP4251-104E/P stores both channel wiper positions in non-volatile EEPROM, preserving the last programmed settings across power cycles. At power-up the wipers return to their stored positions in under 1 ms, allowing the analog circuit to operate at the correct gain or attenuation immediately without waiting for the MCU to re-transmit SPI configuration commands.
How are the two wiper channels on MCP4251-104E/P controlled independently over a shared SPI bus?
The MCP4251-104E/P uses a register-addressed SPI protocol where a 2-byte transaction selects either Wiper 0 or Wiper 1 via a 4-bit memory address field in the command byte. Both channels share the single CS pin, and the host MCU selects the target wiper in the first byte of every 16-bit SPI frame, enabling independent 100 kΩ control with only 4 SPI lines total.
What is the supply continuity outlook for MCP4251-104E/P, and is it safe to design into new products?
Microchip lists the MCP4251-104E/P with a YTEOL of 9 years and a factory lead time of 7 weeks, indicating healthy supply continuity for new product designs with multi-year production runs. The 9-year EOL buffer provides sufficient time to qualify the part, scale production, and eventually plan a migration before any last-time-buy requirement arises.
For a dual-channel gain stage on a prototype board, why choose MCP4251-104E/P over separate single-channel SPI potentiometers?
Integrating 2 potentiometer channels in one 8-pin PDIP reduces the component count from 2 separate ICs occupying 16 pins down to 1 package on only 8 pins, saving breadboard space and reducing wiring complexity. Both channels also share a single SPI CS line, simplifying firmware GPIO allocation when the prototype MCU has limited available I/O pins.
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| Qty. | Unit Price | Ext. Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | $0.2214 | $0.22 |
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