The Texas Instruments SN74HCT14D packs six independent inverter gates with Schmitt-trigger inputs into a 14-SOIC surface-mount package. Each channel takes one input and delivers a clean inverted output, with the Schmitt action providing hysteresis that cleans up slow edges, noisy signals, or switch-contact bounce. It runs from a 4.5 V to 5.5 V supply and draws just 2 µA quiescent, making it a natural fit for 5 V industrial control, PLC I/O modules, sensor conditioning, and any board where a noisy backplane needs signal cleanup before it hits the MCU.
30 ns propagation delay — timing budget for a 5 V bus
The 30 ns max propagation delay at 5.5 V and 50 pF load sets the timing margin for control and data signals running across a backplane or between logic families. At 5 V nominal the delay is typically shorter, but the 30 ns ceiling is the number to use in worst-case timing analysis. For a 10 MHz clock path that leaves about 70 ns of the period for setup and hold — plenty for most 5 V logic, but worth checking if the signal passes through multiple gates in series.
Schmitt trigger — what it cleans up
The Schmitt-trigger inputs define two distinct thresholds: a low-going input below 0.5 V to 0.6 V reads as a logic 0, and a high-going input above 1.9 V to 2.1 V reads as a logic 1. The gap between them — roughly 1.3 V of hysteresis — rejects noise and prevents multiple transitions on a slowly rising signal from a capacitor, a sensor, or a mechanical switch. That hysteresis is what makes this part the go-to for debouncing pushbuttons, squaring up a 50/60 Hz line-frequency signal, or cleaning the output of an optocoupler that has a slow turn-on edge.
SOIC-14 — rework and footprint notes
The 14-SOIC body measures 3.90 mm wide with 0.154" pitch — a standard footprint that reflows cleanly with a typical leaded profile. The 2 µA quiescent current means no thermal concern even in still air, so no thermal pad or via stitching is needed.
For dual-sourcing or a lower-power alternative, the SN74HCS04PWR (2 V to 6 V, 16 ns at 6 V, 125°C rated) is a functional peer in the same 6-channel inverter family — but the HCT14D runs from 5 V only and uses the original HCT thresholds, so verify the logic levels before swapping.