{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"MCP4261T-502E/SL","brand":"Microchip Technology","brandSlug":"microchip","productSlug":"MCP4261T-502E-SL","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4261T-502E-SL","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MCP4261T-502E%2FSL","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Microchip Technology WiperLock™ series, MCP4261T-502E/SL digital potentiometer, dual 5k ohm, 257 taps, SPI interface, non-volatile memory, ±20% tolerance, 14-SOIC package, tape and reel.","salesMarkdown":"## Dual 5k digital pot with non-volatile wiper storage The MCP4261T-502E/SL is a dual-channel digital potentiometer from Microchip's WiperLock series, each channel offering 257 taps across a 5k ohm resistance with a linear taper. The non-volatile memory retains the wiper position after power-down, so the device powers up at the last programmed setting without needing a software restore on each boot. Communication is over a standard SPI interface, which allows daisy-chaining multiple MCP4261 devices on a single bus for multi-channel systems. ## Parametric fit and design considerations With 257 taps, the step resolution is 5k / 256 ≈ 19.5 ohms per tap, giving 0.39% of full-scale per step. The ±20% tolerance on the total resistance means the absolute step size varies between parts, but the ratiometric accuracy between taps is consistent — important for applications like adjustable voltage dividers or sensor offset trimming where the ratio matters more than the absolute resistance. The typical wiper resistance is 75 ohms, which adds a small series resistance that is negligible in high-impedance loads but becomes significant when driving low-impedance inputs (e.g., below 10k). The temperature coefficient of 150 ppm/°C is moderate — for a 5k pot, that is about 0.75 ohms per degree C, acceptable for calibration loops that are trimmed at room temperature and see less than 50°C drift. The part is ROHS3 compliant, which satisfies the EU RoHS directive for lead-free soldering and material restrictions. It is not a pin-compatible drop-in — the MCP4014 uses a different package (SOT-23-5) and a simpler control scheme, so a board spin is required. The MCP41010-E/P is a through-hole volatile alternative with 256 taps and SPI, but it is also single-channel and through-hole only.","metaTitle":"MCP4261T-502E/SL Digital Pot 5k 257-Tap SPI 14-SOIC","metaDescription":"Microchip MCP4261T-502E/SL dual 5k digital potentiometer, 257 taps, SPI, non-volatile, -40 to 125°C. Active production, ROHS3. Request a quote.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":"WiperLock™","packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":"ROHS3 Compliant","productStatus":"Active","categoryPath":["Discrete Semiconductors"],"specifications":{"Taper":"Linear","Series":"WiperLock™","Package":"Tape & Reel (TR); Cut Tape (CT)","Interface":"SPI","Tolerance":"±20%","Memory Type":"Non-Volatile","Configuration":"Potentiometer","Mounting Type":"Surface Mount","Number of Taps":"257","Package / Case":"14-SOIC (0.154\\\", 3.90mm Width)","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Voltage - Supply":"1.8V ~ 5.5V","Resistance (Ohms)":"5k","Number of Circuits":"2","Operating Temperature":"-40°C ~ 125°C","Supplier Device Package":"14-SOIC","Temperature Coefficient (Typ)":"150ppm/°C","Resistance - Wiper (Ohms) (Typ)":"75"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":"$1.61","priceTiers":[{"qty":1,"price":"$1.61000","currency":"USD"},{"qty":25,"price":"$1.35680","currency":"USD"},{"qty":100,"price":"$1.24500","currency":"USD"},{"qty":2600,"price":"$1.24500","currency":"USD"}]},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/58d679db665e963d22ea39003b9f3520.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/MCP4261T-502E%2FSL/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"What is the taper of MCP4261T-502E/SL?","answer":"The taper is linear, meaning the resistance between the wiper and each end terminal changes linearly with the digital code. This is the standard taper for volume control, adjustable references, and sensor calibration."},{"question":"Will MCP4261T-502E/SL drop into a board designed for MCP4014T-103E/OT?","answer":"No. The MCP4014T-103E/OT is a single-channel volatile digital pot in a 5-pin SOT-23 package with an up/down interface, while the MCP4261T-502E/SL is a dual-channel non-volatile device in a 14-pin SOIC package with SPI. The pinout, package, and control interface are completely different — a board redesign is required."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4261T-502E-SL","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/microchip/MCP4261T-502E-SL 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}}