MCLR - quick question

[Gabriel]

hi all,

Could anyone tell me what is the current consumption of a 16f876a if I hold MCLR low for an hour (just an example).

MCLR would be controlled by an outside source.... like the output of a voltage comparator.

Would this pose any benefit over plain old "sleep"?

Is there any possible consequences of holding MCLR low for long/er periods?


Thank you.

g
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CCS PCM 5.078 & CCS PCH 5.093

[Ttelmah]

Note the comment in the data sheet, at the start of the electrical specifications, and use a series resistor to drive the pin (50 to 100R).

Potential 'downside', is that this will require your external circuits, to _all_ make sure that the pins connected to the PIC are biased to 5v, or 0v, and that all external circuits are themselves 'off' without any drive from the PIC, since the output latches will be 'off' in reset mode. When in sleep mode, you can program the PIC before sleeping, so that the pins are driven to an idle state, and turn off external circuits, and this remains in place while asleep....

On 'XLP' PICs, deep sleep mode, uses fractionally less power than an MCLR reset (there are drive signals from the MCLR pin to reset various peripherals), but on a standard PIC, such as the 876, this shouldn't apply.

Best Wishes