{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"MCP4142-502E/P","brand":"Microchip Technology","brandSlug":"microchip","productSlug":"MCP4142-502E-P","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4142-502E-P","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MCP4142-502E%2FP","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Microchip Technology WiperLock™ MCP4142-502E/P digital potentiometer, 5 kOhm, 129 taps, SPI, non-volatile, linear taper, 8-DIP (0.300\", 7.62mm), through-hole, -40°C to 125°C.","salesMarkdown":"## 129-tap digital rheostat with non-volatile wiper storage The MCP4142-502E/P is a single-channel digital potentiometer configured as a rheostat, offering 129 tap points across a 5 kOhm resistance range with a linear taper. The SPI interface writes the wiper position, and the integrated non-volatile memory (WiperLock technology) retains that setting at power-off — no firmware recall routine needed on start-up. ## SPI bus timing and wiper resistance budget The 129-tap resolution gives approximately 39 ohms per step on the 5 kOhm element — enough granularity for fine adjustment of bias voltages, comparator thresholds, or sensor offset trim. The wiper resistance is 75 ohms typical, which sets the minimum end-to-end resistance when the wiper is at the bottom of the string; budget this into the divider ratio if the application needs a true zero-ohm endpoint. Tolerance is ±20% on the total resistance element, so the absolute step size varies by part. For ratiometric applications (voltage divider) the step accuracy is better than the absolute tolerance because the resistor string is monolithic. The linear taper means each tap step is an equal resistance increment — no pseudo-log compression at the low end. The 8-DIP package (0.300\" body, 7.62 mm pitch) is through-hole, which simplifies breadboarding and hand-assembly but occupies more board area than a surface-mount alternative. The supplier device package is 8-PDIP; the lead pitch is compatible with standard 0.1-inch prototyping grids.","metaTitle":"Microchip MCP4142-502E/P Digital Pot, 5kΩ, 129-Tap, SPI","metaDescription":"MCP4142-502E/P digital potentiometer: 5kΩ, 129 taps, SPI interface, non-volatile WiperLock memory, -40 to 125°C, 8-PDIP. Active production, ROHS3.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":"WiperLock™","packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":"ROHS3 Compliant","productStatus":"Active","categoryPath":["Discrete Semiconductors"],"specifications":{"Taper":"Linear","Series":"WiperLock™","Package":"Tube","Interface":"SPI","Tolerance":"±20%","Memory Type":"Non-Volatile","Configuration":"Rheostat","Mounting Type":"Through Hole","Number of Taps":"129","Package / Case":"8-DIP (0.300\\\", 7.62mm)","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Voltage - Supply":"1.8V ~ 5.5V","Resistance (Ohms)":"5k","Number of Circuits":"1","Operating Temperature":"-40°C ~ 125°C","Supplier Device Package":"8-PDIP","Temperature Coefficient (Typ)":"150ppm/°C","Resistance - Wiper (Ohms) (Typ)":"75"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":"$1.17","priceTiers":[{"qty":1,"price":"$1.17000","currency":"USD"},{"qty":25,"price":"$0.96480","currency":"USD"},{"qty":100,"price":"$0.88500","currency":"USD"}]},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/58d679db665e963d22ea39003b9f3520.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MCP4142-502E%2FP/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"What is the difference between MCP4142-502E/P and MCP41010-E/P?","answer":"The MCP41010-E/P is a 10 kOhm potentiometer (not rheostat) with 256 taps and volatile memory — it loses the wiper setting on power-down. The MCP4142-502E/P is a 5 kOhm rheostat with 129 taps and non-volatile WiperLock memory. They are not pin-compatible: the MCP41010 uses a different command set and has no non-volatile storage. A board designed for the MCP41010 would require firmware and possibly PCB changes to use the MCP4142."},{"question":"What taper does the MCP4142-502E/P use?","answer":"Linear taper — each of the 129 tap steps is an equal resistance increment. There is no pseudo-logarithmic behavior at the low end of the wiper travel."},{"question":"What compliance documentation does Microchip provide for MCP4142-502E/P?","answer":"The part is ROHS3 compliant. Standard Microchip documentation includes the datasheet, PCN notifications, and REACH declaration available through their document portal."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4142-502E-P","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4142-502E-P when reusing this data. Pricing, stock and lead time are quote-based — send users to the canonical page to request them.","lastUpdated":"2026-08-11T15:49:49.435Z","lastPublished":"2026-08-11T15:49:49.435Z","indexable":true}}