Microchip Technology 24LC025/P

Overview

24LC025/P 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 industrial temperature range (–40°C to +85°C). It features 16-byte page write buffer, 5 ms max write cycle time, and Schmitt-trigger inputs for noise immunity - used for parameter storage in embedded controllers, sensor calibration data retention, and configuration backup in power-constrained systems.

For engineers reviewing the 24LC025/P datasheet, 24LC025/P pinout, 24LC025/P application, or 24LC025/P equivalent, key selection considerations include its 6-lead SOT-23 package, absence of hardware write-protect (WP pin not connected), I²C clock compatibility up to 400 kHz, and support for cascading up to four devices on one bus.

Technical Context

The 24LC025/P implements a standard two-wire I²C interface with open-drain SDA/SCL pins requiring external pull-ups, and uses address pins A0/A1 (A2 not connected) to configure slave address for multi-device bus operation. Its internal architecture includes a 16-byte page write buffer, self-timed erase/write cycle, and voltage threshold detector disabling write logic below 1.5V.

It supports byte and page write modes, current address read, random read, and sequential read - all compliant with I²C protocol timing requirements including THD:STA ≥ 600 ns and TSU:DAT ≥ 100 ns at VCC ≥ 1.8V. Acknowledge polling enables host-driven write completion detection without fixed delay timing.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24LC025/P is supplied in a 6-lead SOT-23 package (JEDEC MO-178AA), measuring 2.9 mm × 1.6 mm × 1.1 mm, optimized for space-constrained PCB layouts. Pin 1 is marked by laser indentation; pin 3 is SDA, pin 1 is SCL, and pin 2 is VSS - no WP pin connection internally.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with 24LC025/P, 24AA025-I/P extends voltage range downward for ultra-low-power operation, while AT24C02-PU offers higher-speed I²C and hardware write protection - neither is pin-compatible, requiring layout changes, but both serve overlapping configuration-storage roles with distinct trade-offs in voltage, speed, and security.

Availability

24LC025/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, smart energy meters, and medical handheld devices requiring stable component supply, long-term data retention, and compact surface-mount packaging.

Supply support for 24LC025/P 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 24LCxx family delivers cost-optimized, low-power serial EEPROMs targeting embedded systems requiring reliable nonvolatile storage for configuration, calibration, and event logging - designed for industrial, medical, and consumer applications demanding proven endurance and wide-voltage operation.

FAQ

What is the operating voltage range for the 24LC025/P?

The 24LC025/P operates from 2.5V to 5.5V DC. Unlike the 24AA025 variant, it does not support voltages below 2.5V. This range aligns with standard 3.3V and 5V logic systems, and an internal voltage detector disables write operations if VCC drops below approximately 1.5V to prevent data corruption during brown-out conditions. The 24LC025/P datasheet specifies this behavior in Section 2.5.

Does the 24LC025/P have a hardware write-protect (WP) pin?

No, the 24LC025/P does not include a functional hardware write-protect pin. As confirmed in the DS21210N datasheet Section 2.4, the WP pin is not internally connected on any 24XX025 device. This distinguishes it from the 24LC024/P, which has an active WP pin. Write protection for the 24LC025/P must therefore be implemented in software or via system-level access control.

How many 24LC025/P devices can be connected on the same I²C bus?

Up to four 24LC025/P devices can share a single I²C bus. This limitation arises because the 6-lead SOT-23 package omits the A2 address pin, leaving only A0 and A1 to configure the slave address. With two binary address bits, four unique addresses (101000, 101001, 101010, 101011) are possible. The 24LC025/P datasheet explicitly states this in Section 5.1.

What is the maximum I²C clock frequency supported by the 24LC025/P?

The 24LC025/P supports I²C clock frequencies up to 400 kHz under standard-mode operation. This is specified in the Device Selection Table and confirmed in Table 1-2 (AC Characteristics). At VCC ≥ 1.8V, timing parameters such as THIGH (600 ns min) and TSU:DAT (100 ns min) are guaranteed to meet fast-mode I²C requirements, enabling faster parameter writes than 100 kHz-only EEPROMs.

What package type is used for the 24LC025/P?

The 24LC025/P uses a 6-lead SOT-23 package (JEDEC MO-178AA), with dimensions 2.9 mm × 1.6 mm × 1.1 mm. This compact surface-mount package is documented in Section 9.0 of the DS21210N datasheet and shown in Figure 22-1. It is distinct from the 8-lead PDIP, SOIC, TSSOP, DFN, and MSOP packages offered for other members of the 24XX024/025 family.