Microchip Technology 24LC32A-E/P

Overview

24LC32A-E/P from Microchip Technology is a 32-Kbit I²C-compatible serial EEPROM organized as 4K × 8-bit, operating from 2.5V to 5.5V with 400 kHz max clock frequency and industrial/extended temperature support (–40°C to +125°C). It features hardware write-protection via the WP pin, 32-byte page write buffer, and Schmitt-trigger inputs for noise immunity - deployed in embedded control modules requiring nonvolatile parameter storage.

For engineers reviewing the 24LC32A-E/P datasheet, 24LC32A-E/P pinout, 24LC32A-E/P application, or 24LC32A-E/P equivalent, this page delivers verified electrical specs, package mapping to 8-lead PDIP, validated I²C timing compliance (100/400 kHz), endurance (1M cycles), and real-world use cases in automotive body controllers and industrial sensor nodes.

Technical Context

The 24LC32A-E/P implements a two-wire I²C interface with fixed 7-bit client address prefix '1010', where A0–A2 pins define device addressing on shared buses - supporting up to eight devices for 256 Kbit aggregate space. Its internal address pointer auto-increments during sequential reads and wraps at FFFh → 000h.

Write operations are self-timed: byte writes complete in ≤5 ms; page writes (up to 32 bytes) also require ≤5 ms. Acknowledge polling is supported to detect write completion without fixed delays. The WP pin samples only at the Stop bit of each write command, enabling runtime protection toggling without interrupting active transfers.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

24LC32A-E/P uses an 8-lead plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) with 0.300-inch body width. Pin 1 is marked by a notch or dot; leads are tin-plated, RoHS-compliant, and rated for wave/solder-reflow per JEDEC J-STD-020.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with AT24C32D-SSHM-T and BR24G32FJ-3GE2, the 24LC32A-E/P provides guaranteed automotive-grade reliability (AEC-Q100), extended temperature operation (–40°C to +125°C), and proven integration in safety-critical systems - making it the preferred choice where qualification and thermal margin are non-negotiable.

Availability

24LC32A-E/P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body control modules, industrial sensor nodes, and medical infusion pumps requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for 24LC32A-E/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 microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, serving automotive, industrial, communications, and consumer markets with vertically integrated silicon and software tools.

The 24LC32A belongs to Microchip's serial EEPROM product line, designed specifically for reliable, low-power nonvolatile data storage in resource-constrained embedded systems requiring I²C interface simplicity and AEC-Q100 compliance.

FAQ

What is the minimum VCC required for reliable operation of the 24LC32A-E/P?

The 24LC32A-E/P requires a minimum VCC of 2.5V for guaranteed operation across its full temperature range (–40°C to +125°C). Operation below 2.5V is not specified and may result in undefined behavior, failed writes, or communication errors. This distinguishes it from the 24AA32A variant, which supports down to 1.7V but only at reduced clock rates and narrower temperature grades.

Does the 24LC32A-E/P support page writes across physical page boundaries?

No, the 24LC32A-E/P does not support crossing physical page boundaries during a single page write. Its 32-byte page buffer enforces strict alignment: writes starting at address 0x000 must end at 0x01F; attempting to write beyond that causes wraparound within the same page. Software must split multi-page writes explicitly - a requirement confirmed in Section 6.3 of the DS20001713P datasheet.

How does the WP pin function during active I²C transactions on the 24LC32A-E/P?

The WP pin on the 24LC32A-E/P is sampled only at the Stop bit of each write command - not continuously. Toggling WP during SDA/SCL activity has no effect on ongoing transfers. If WP is pulled high after the Stop bit, subsequent write attempts will be acknowledged but ignored; read operations remain fully functional regardless of WP state.

Is the 24LC32A-E/P pin-compatible with other 8-lead serial EEPROMs like the 24C32?

The 24LC32A-E/P shares identical pinout (A0–A2, VSS, SDA, SCL, WP, VCC) and package dimensions with industry-standard 8-lead PDIP EEPROMs including the 24C32 family. However, electrical differences exist: 24LC32A-E/P requires ≥2.5V VCC and supports AEC-Q100, whereas legacy 24C32 parts often lack extended temp rating and formal automotive qualification - direct substitution requires validation of voltage and qualification requirements.

What is the maximum number of 24LC32A-E/P devices that can operate on a single I²C bus?

Up to eight 24LC32A-E/P devices can coexist on one I²C bus using unique combinations of A0, A1, and A2 pins (3-bit address space). Each device responds only when its hardware address matches the transmitted client address (1010 A2 A1 A0 R/W). The SOT-23 variant lacks address pins and occupies only the base address (1010000), but the 24LC32A-E/P in PDIP supports full 3-bit addressing.