Microchip Technology 24LC024-I/MS

Overview

24LC024-I/MS from Microchip Technology Inc. is a 2 Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 256 × 8-bit memory with hardware write-protection, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V across -40°C to +85°C industrial temperature range. It supports 400 kHz clock rate, features 16-byte page write buffer, and delivers typical standby current of 1 μA and read current of 1 mA. It is used in embedded system configuration storage where nonvolatile parameter retention and noise-immune bus interface are required.

For engineers reviewing the 24LC024-I/MS datasheet, 24LC024-I/MS pinout, 24LC024-I/MS application, or 24LC024-I/MS equivalent, key selection considerations include its MSOP-8 package, WP-enabled hardware write protection, 2.5–5.5V supply compatibility, and cascading support for up to eight devices on a single I²C bus.

Technical Context

The 24LC024-I/MS implements a two-wire I²C interface with Schmitt-trigger inputs and output slope control to suppress ground bounce and noise. Its address decoding uses three hardware address pins (A0–A2), enabling up to eight devices on one bus via unique 7-bit slave addresses (1010xxx).

Internally, it integrates a 16-byte page write buffer, self-timed erase/write cycle with 5 ms maximum duration, and a voltage threshold detector that disables write logic below 1.5V. The WP pin is hardwired to VCC or VSS to enable full-array hardware write protection - a feature exclusive to 24XX024 variants and absent in 24XX025 parts.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24LC024-I/MS is housed in an 8-pin MSOP package (3.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 1.0 mm height), RoHS-compliant and Pb-free, with exposed pad option not present in this variant. Pin 1 is marked by laser indentation per Microchip specification.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24LC024-I/MS, 24AA024-I/MS extends voltage flexibility downward to 1.7V while retaining identical packaging and pinout, whereas AT24C02C-MAHM-T trades industrial temperature range for automotive qualification - making each alternative optimal only when those specific electrical or compliance requirements dominate the design.

Availability

24LC024-I/MS is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor calibration, consumer device configuration, medical device ID storage, and automotive body control module applications requiring stable component supply, long-term obsolescence planning, and consistent parametric performance.

Supply support for 24LC024-I/MS 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 operations.

The 24LC024-I/MS belongs to Microchip's serial EEPROM product line, engineered for robust, low-power nonvolatile storage in resource-constrained embedded systems where I²C simplicity and hardware-level data integrity are critical.

FAQ

What is the supply voltage range for the 24LC024-I/MS?

The 24LC024-I/MS operates from 2.5V to 5.5V. This range ensures compatibility with both 3.3V and 5V logic families without level-shifting circuitry. Operation below 2.5V is not supported - unlike the 24AA024 variant, which extends down to 1.7V. The internal voltage detector disables write functions if VCC falls below 1.5V, preventing corrupted data writes during brownout conditions.

Does the 24LC024-I/MS support hardware write protection?

Yes, the 24LC024-I/MS includes a dedicated WP (Write-Protect) pin that, when tied to VCC, disables all write operations to the entire 2 Kbit memory array. This hardware-level protection prevents accidental or malicious overwrites of critical configuration data. The WP pin is internally connected only on 24XX024 variants - it is unconnected on 24XX025 parts, confirming its presence and functionality in the 24LC024-I/MS.

What package type is used for the 24LC024-I/MS?

The 24LC024-I/MS is packaged in an 8-pin MSOP (Mini Small Outline Package) with 0.65 mm lead pitch, measuring 3.0 mm × 3.0 mm × 1.0 mm. This surface-mount package offers compact footprint and thermal performance suitable for space-constrained PCB layouts. Pin 1 is laser-marked per Microchip's DS21210N specification, and the device is RoHS-compliant and Pb-free.

How many devices can be connected on a single I²C bus using the 24LC024-I/MS?

Up to eight 24LC024-I/MS devices can be cascaded on a single I²C bus using the A0, A1, and A2 address pins. Each combination of high/low states on these pins configures a unique 3-bit chip-select portion of the 7-bit slave address (1010xxx), enabling individual addressing without software arbitration. This allows up to 16 Kbits of contiguous EEPROM memory when all eight devices are deployed.

What is the maximum write cycle time for the 24LC024-I/MS?

The maximum write cycle time for the 24LC024-I/MS is 5 ms for both byte and page writes. This self-timed internal cycle begins after the master issues a STOP condition and is independent of bus clock speed. During this period, the device does not acknowledge I²C commands - a behavior leveraged by acknowledge polling to determine write completion before initiating subsequent operations.