Microchip Technology 24LC024-E/MC

Overview

24LC024-E/MC from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 2 Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 256 × 8-bit memory, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V with hardware write-protection via the WP pin. It supports up to 400 kHz clock frequency, features 16-byte page write buffer, and delivers ≤5 ms page write time with >1 million erase/write cycles and >200 years data retention. It is used in industrial sensor calibration storage and embedded system configuration backup.

For engineers reviewing the 24LC024-E/MC datasheet, 24LC024-E/MC pinout, 24LC024-E/MC application, or 24LC024-E/MC equivalent, key selection considerations include VCC range (2.5–5.5 V), WP-enabled hardware write protection, I²C bus timing compliance (100/400 kHz), and industrial/automotive temperature grading (–40°C to +125°C).

Technical Context

The 24LC024-E/MC implements a two-wire I²C interface with Schmitt-trigger inputs and slope-controlled outputs to suppress noise and eliminate ground bounce. Its internal address pointer auto-increments during sequential reads and wraps from 0xFF to 0x00.

Hardware write protection is active when WP is tied to VCC, disabling all writes to the full 256-byte array. The device uses an on-chip high-voltage generator for EEPROM programming and includes a threshold detector that disables write operations below 1.5 V VCC.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24LC024-E/MC is packaged in an 8-lead MSOP (Micro Small Outline Package) with 0.65 mm pitch, measuring 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 1.0 mm, optimized for space-constrained PCB layouts while maintaining hand-solderability and thermal performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar serial EEPROM applications.

Compared with 24LC024-E/MC, the 24LC024T-I/MS offers identical functionality at lower cost but lacks automotive temperature qualification, while the AT24C02D-SSHM-T provides wider voltage support and faster clocking but removes hardware write protection - making 24LC024-E/MC the optimal choice for safety-critical, high-reliability automotive and industrial applications requiring guaranteed data integrity.

Availability

24LC024-E/MC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration storage, automotive ECU configuration backup, and smart meter firmware parameter storage requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for 24LC024-E/MC includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontrollers, analog components, and memory solutions, headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with global design and manufacturing infrastructure.

The 24LCxx family was designed specifically for reliable, low-power, I²C-based nonvolatile data storage in industrial automation, automotive subsystems, and consumer electronics where hardware write protection and extended temperature operation are essential.

FAQ

What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the 24LC024-E/MC?

The 24LC024-E/MC supports up to 400 kHz I²C clock frequency when VCC ≥ 1.8 V. At VCC < 2.5 V, the maximum clock rate drops to 100 kHz per Microchip's DS21210N specification. This dual-speed capability ensures interoperability with both legacy and high-performance I²C masters while maintaining signal integrity across voltage domains. The 24LC024-E/MC does not support standard-mode-plus (1 MHz) or fast-mode-plus (3.4 MHz) I²C variants.

Does the 24LC024-E/MC have hardware write protection, and how is it implemented?

Yes, the 24LC024-E/MC includes a dedicated hardware write-protect (WP) pin. When WP is tied to VCC, the entire 256-byte memory array is locked against all write and page-write operations - even during active I²C transactions. The device acknowledges write commands but ignores data, preserving existing contents. This feature is absent on the 24LC025 variant and is physically present in all 8-lead packages including the MSOP used by 24LC024-E/MC.

What package type is used for the 24LC024-E/MC, and what are its key mechanical dimensions?

The 24LC024-E/MC uses an 8-lead MSOP (Micro Small Outline Package) with 0.65 mm lead pitch. Its footprint measures 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm, body height is 1.0 mm, and lead length is 0.5 mm. The package complies with JEDEC MO-187AA and is RoHS-compliant with matte tin (Sn) plating. Pin 1 is marked by laser indentation on the top surface, and the exposed pad is not electrically connected.

How many devices can be connected on the same I²C bus using the 24LC024-E/MC?

Up to eight 24LC024-E/MC devices can be cascaded on a single I²C bus using the three hardware address pins A0, A1, and A2. Each combination of VSS/VCC on these pins sets a unique 3-bit chip select code, resulting in slave addresses from 0x50 to 0x57. This allows up to 16 Kbits of contiguous EEPROM space when multiple units are deployed - ideal for modular sensor nodes or distributed control systems requiring scalable nonvolatile storage.

What is the guaranteed data retention period and endurance rating for the 24LC024-E/MC?

The 24LC024-E/MC guarantees >200 years of data retention at +25°C and >1 million erase/write cycles at 25°C with VCC = 5.5 V, as characterized per Microchip DS21210N. These figures are based on accelerated testing and statistical modeling - not 100% lot testing. Real-world retention may extend beyond 200 years at lower ambient temperatures, and endurance remains >100,000 cycles even at +125°C per application note AN1177.