WMS7202050P Digital Potentiometer Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The WMS7202050P is a digital potentiometer manufactured by Nuvoton Technology Corporation, classified as a Data Acquisition component. It features a 50kΩ resistance with 256 taps across 2 circuits, utilizing an SPI interface for control. The device is rated for supply voltages between 2.7V and 5.5V with an operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C.

This part is currently listed as obsolete. Identifying equivalent and substitute parts is necessary to maintain design continuity, ensure component availability, and support ongoing production or maintenance requirements for systems utilizing this digital potentiometer.

Substiute Parts

WMS7202050P

Nuvoton Technology CorporationIn Stock: 1188WMS7202050P Datasheet

Current PartRFQ

MCP42050-I/P

Microchip TechnologyIn Stock: 2508MCP42050-I/P Datasheet

MFR RecommendedRFQ

Key Parameters

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitution eligibility for the WMS7202050P is determined by the following critical parameters:

• Resistance value: 50kΩ (exact match required)
• Number of circuits: 2 (exact match required)
• Number of taps: 256 (exact match required)
• Interface protocol: SPI (exact match required)
• Package type: 14-DIP (exact match required)
• Supply voltage range: 2.7V ~ 5.5V (substitute must support this range)
• Operating temperature range: -40°C ~ 85°C (substitute must support this range)
• Mounting type: Through Hole (exact match required)
• Taper characteristic: Linear (exact match required)

The MCP42050-I/P from Microchip Technology meets all critical substitution criteria. Both devices share identical functional specifications for resistance, circuit count, tap resolution, interface type, and physical packaging. The substitute part is currently in active production status, ensuring long-term availability and supply chain reliability.

Parameter Comparison

Engineering Selection Recommendations

The MCP42050-I/P is the qualified substitute for the obsolete WMS7202050P. Both parts maintain functional equivalence across all critical electrical and mechanical parameters required for direct substitution in 14-DIP through-hole applications.

The MCP42050-I/P offers the advantage of active product status, ensuring continued availability and manufacturer support. The substitute part carries ROHS3 compliance certification, meeting current environmental and regulatory standards. The WMS7202050P is RoHS non-compliant, which may present procurement or regulatory constraints in new designs or production environments with RoHS requirements.

Differences in tolerance (±30% vs ±20%), temperature coefficient (800ppm/°C vs 500ppm/°C), wiper resistance (175Ω vs 80Ω), and memory type (volatile vs non-volatile) must be evaluated within the context of the specific application circuit. These parameter variations do not affect functional substitution capability but may influence performance characteristics in precision or temperature-sensitive applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the MCP42050-I/P directly replace the WMS7202050P in existing designs?

A: Yes. Both devices share identical resistance value, circuit count, tap resolution, SPI interface, 14-DIP package, supply voltage range, and operating temperature range. Direct pin-for-pin substitution is supported.

Q: What are the key differences between these two parts?

A: The primary differences are product status (obsolete vs active), RoHS compliance (non-compliant vs ROHS3 compliant), tolerance specification (±20% vs ±30%), temperature coefficient (500ppm/°C vs 800ppm/°C), wiper resistance (80Ω vs 175Ω), and memory type (non-volatile vs volatile). These differences do not prevent functional substitution but may affect circuit performance in specific applications.

Q: Does the volatile memory type of the MCP42050-I/P affect substitution compatibility?

A: Memory type affects data retention behavior. The WMS7202050P retains wiper position settings after power loss, while the MCP42050-I/P does not. Application firmware must account for this difference if power-loss retention is required.

Q: Are both parts available in the same packaging?

A: Yes. Both the WMS7202050P and MCP42050-I/P are supplied in 14-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm) through-hole packages, ensuring mechanical and electrical compatibility on PCBs designed for either device.

Q: What is the impact of the tolerance difference on circuit design?

A: The WMS7202050P specifies ±20% tolerance while the MCP42050-I/P specifies ±30%. Applications requiring tighter resistance tolerance control must account for the wider tolerance band of the substitute part during circuit analysis and validation.

Q: Is the MCP42050-I/P suitable for new designs?

A: Yes. The MCP42050-I/P is in active production status with current RoHS3 compliance, making it the appropriate choice for new designs requiring a 50kΩ dual-circuit digital potentiometer with SPI interface in 14-DIP packaging.