MCP4261-502E/SL Microchip Integrated Circuit (Small Outline Packages) In Stock
MCP4261-502E/SL is a dual-channel 256-step 5 kΩ digital potentiometer from Microchip with SPI increment/decrement interface and non-volatile wiper memory, operating from 2.7 V to 5.5 V. From $1.20 in stock worldwide shipping.
- Manufacturer
- Microchip
- Package
- Small Outline Packages
- Pin Count
- 14
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- MCP4261-502E/SL Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- Price
- From $1.1700(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 MCP4261-502E/SL?
- Dual-channel digital potentiometer with 256 wiper positions each
- 5 kΩ end-to-end resistance with increment/decrement SPI control interface
- Non-volatile EEPROM wiper storage retains position after power loss
- Wide 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply voltage for 3.3 V and 5 V systems
- 2 kHz bandwidth supports audio and signal conditioning applications
- SOIC-14 package with standard land pattern for easy hand or machine soldering
What is MCP4261-502E/SL used for?
MCP4261-502E/SL suits dual-channel gain adjustment, stereo audio volume control, and offset calibration in sensor front-end circuits. Its increment/decrement SPI interface allows simple push-button or encoder-driven wiper adjustment without a full SPI framing overhead. Non-volatile memory makes it practical for multi-channel calibration storage in industrial instruments and medical-device front ends where settings must persist across power cycles.
What are the specifications of MCP4261-502E/SL?
| 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 |
| ## MCP4261-502E/SL Alternates Showing results | Image |
| 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 |
Where can I find the MCP4261-502E/SL datasheet?
MCP4261-502E/SL Datasheet DownloadOfficial datasheet from Microchip
What are equivalent replacements for MCP4261-502E/SL?
Compatible alternatives and drop-in replacements for MCP4261-502E/SL:
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 256-step resolution of MCP4261-502E/SL compare to a 128-step potentiometer for precision gain calibration at 5 kΩ?
With 256 steps across a 5 kΩ range, the MCP4261-502E/SL provides approximately 19.5 Ω per step, which is roughly half the 39 Ω resolution of a 128-step 5 kΩ device. This finer 19.5 Ω increment enables more precise gain trimming in instrumentation amplifier circuits, reducing calibration error to under 0.4% of full scale per wiper increment.
What control interface does MCP4261-502E/SL use, and how does the increment/decrement mode simplify firmware compared to full SPI register writes?
The device uses an SPI-compatible increment/decrement interface where sending a single-byte command steps the wiper up or down by 1 position out of 256. This eliminates the need for firmware to track the current wiper code and assemble a full register-write frame, reducing MCU overhead. The 2-wire CS and SCK connection is sufficient for basic volume or gain knob applications running from any 3.3 V or 5 V microcontroller.
For a dual-channel stereo audio application, can MCP4261-502E/SL control both channels independently with a single SPI transaction?
Yes, the MCP4261-502E/SL provides 2 independent wiper channels addressable via the SPI command byte, allowing channel 0 and channel 1 to be set to different positions without additional chip-select lines. At a 2 kHz bandwidth each channel can pass audio signals up to approximately 2 kHz with low distortion, making it suitable for stereo balance control or dual-channel sensor-offset trimming in a compact SOIC-14 footprint.
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| Qty. | Unit Price | Ext. Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1+ | $1.6000 | $1.60 |
| 25+ | $1.3500 | $33.75 |
| 100+ | $1.2300 | $123.00 |
| 285+ | $1.2109 | $345.11 |
| 513+ | $1.1824 | $606.57 |
| 1000+ | $1.1700 | $1170.00 |
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