{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"MCP4161-503E/P","brand":"Microchip Technology","brandSlug":"microchip","productSlug":"MCP4161-503E-P","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4161-503E-P","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MCP4161-503E%2FP","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Microchip Technology WiperLock™ series digital potentiometer, MCP4161-503E/P, 50 kOhm, 257 taps, SPI interface, non-volatile, linear taper, 8-PDIP through-hole package.","salesMarkdown":"## Active digipot for trim and calibration The MCP4161-503E/P is a 50 kOhm digital potentiometer with 257 taps and a linear taper, meaning the wiper resistance changes uniformly with the digital code — no log or audio curve to account for in the divider ratio. The 257 taps give roughly 0.39% resolution per step, fine enough for trimming a reference voltage or setting a bias point in an analog signal chain. Non-volatile memory retains the wiper setting through power cycles — no re-initialization routine needed at boot. The SPI interface lets a microcontroller write the wiper position directly; the protocol is simple and common across most MCU families. ## Package and temperature grade The 8-pin PDIP package (0.300-inch row spacing) is through-hole — easy to hand-assemble or socket in prototyping and low-volume production. The wiper resistance is 75 ohms typical, which matters when driving a low-impedance load — the voltage drop across the wiper adds to the divider output error. ROHS3 compliant — no restricted substances to manage in the BOM.","metaTitle":"Microchip MCP4161-503E/P digital pot, 50k, 257 taps, DIP-8","metaDescription":"MCP4161-503E/P 50k digital potentiometer, 257 taps, SPI, non-volatile, -40 to 125°C, 8-PDIP. Active production, ROHS3. Order via RFQ.","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":"Potentiometer","Mounting Type":"Through Hole","Number of Taps":"257","Package / Case":"8-DIP (0.300\\\", 7.62mm)","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Voltage - Supply":"1.8V ~ 5.5V","Resistance (Ohms)":"50k","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":"$1.39","priceTiers":[{"qty":1,"price":"$1.39000","currency":"USD"},{"qty":25,"price":"$1.15560","currency":"USD"},{"qty":100,"price":"$1.08000","currency":"USD"}]},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/58d679db665e963d22ea39003b9f3520.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MCP4161-503E%2FP/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"What is MCP4161-503E/P's listed taper?","answer":"The taper is Linear — the wiper resistance changes uniformly with the digital code, not logarithmically. This suits voltage-divider and trim applications where a straight-line transfer function is needed."},{"question":"Will MCP4161-503E/P drop into a board specified around MCP41010-E/P without rewiring?","answer":"The pinout is the same (8-pin DIP, SPI interface), so the mechanical fit and electrical connections match. The key difference is memory type: MCP41010-E/P is volatile, MCP4161-503E/P is non-volatile. If the design expects the wiper to reset to zero on power-up, the non-volatile part will retain the last setting instead — verify the firmware handles this."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4161-503E-P","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4161-503E-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}}