STMicroelectronics MC34063ECD-TR DC DC Converter, PDIP8 Package for Industrial & Home Use

STMicroelectronics MC34063ECD-TR DC DC Converter Overview

The STMicroelectronics MC34063ECD-TR is a rugged, dual-mode (step-up/boost and step-down/buck) DC DC converter engineered for reliable, cost-effective power management in B2B industrial automation, home appliances, and IoT edge applications. Designed to operate across a 3V?C40V input voltage range and deliver an adjustable 1.25V?C35V output, it integrates a high-current internal power switch, error amplifier, and oscillator into a durable PDIP8 through-hole package. This all-in-one design eliminates the need for multiple discrete components (inductors, diodes, controllers), simplifying PCB layouts while maintaining consistent performance in temperatures from -40??C to +85??C-critical for 24/7 systems like factory sensor arrays, home appliance control boards, and remote IoT monitors.

As a trusted product from STMicroelectronics-a global leader in semiconductor innovation with decades of expertise in low-power and industrial-grade power solutions-the MC34063ECD-TR meets strict quality standards (including RoHS 2 certification) and undergoes rigorous testing for long-term durability. Senior engineers at a leading industrial sensor firm endorse it, noting: ??The converter??s PDIP8 package withstands vibration in factory machinery, and its dual-mode design lets us power 3.3V microcontrollers and 12V transceivers with one chip-cutting component cost by 30% vs. using separate regulators.?? For more reliable industrial ICs and flexible power management solutions, visit IC Manufacturer.

Technical Parameters of MC34063ECD-TR

Key Technical Features of MC34063ECD-TR

• Dual-mode step-up/step-down operation, eliminating the need for two separate regulators to power components with conflicting voltage needs (e.g., 3.3V sensors and 12V transceivers). An industrial automation engineer reported this feature ??cut our regulator count from 2 to 1, simplifying PCB design and reducing failure points by 50%.??
• 3V?C40V wide input range, accommodating diverse power sources (5V USB, 12V batteries, 24V factory supplies) without external voltage clamping. A home appliance designer noted ??this range lets us use the same converter across 4 product lines, standardizing our inventory and cutting logistics costs by 22%.??
• PDIP8 through-hole package, offering superior mechanical stability (resists vibration and thermal stress vs. surface-mount packages) and easy prototyping. Factory maintenance teams confirm ??this package withstands 2G vibration in our assembly lines, and through-hole mounting makes field repairs 3x faster than surface-mount alternatives.??
• Adjustable 100kHz?C1MHz switching frequency, enabling optimization for efficiency or component size. A wireless IoT monitor designer shared ??we set the frequency to 600kHz, which let us use a smaller inductor (saving 45% space) while maintaining 87% efficiency-critical for our compact monitor design.??
• Ultra-low 0.1mA shutdown current, minimizing standby power drain for battery-powered devices. An industrial sensor firm noted ??this feature cut our device??s standby power use by 99%, extending battery life from 5 months to 16 months-critical for remote sites with no grid access.??

Advantages of MC34063ECD-TR Over Alternative Solutions

Compared to single-mode regulators, surface-mount converters, and discrete power circuits, the MC34063ECD-TR delivers three critical benefits for B2B rugged, flexible power designs-backed by real customer feedback:

First, its dual-mode operation outperforms single-mode alternatives. Single-mode regulators require one chip for step-up (e.g., 5V to 12V) and another for step-down (e.g., 12V to 3.3V), increasing PCB space and cost. The MC34063ECD-TR handles both with one device. A senior industrial engineer explained: ??We used two single-mode regulators for our sensor array; switching to this converter cut PCB space by 40% and component cost by 30%. Fewer parts also mean fewer potential failures in 24/7 factory operations-reducing maintenance calls by 65%.??

Second, its PDIP8 package solves surface-mount limitations. Surface-mount converters (e.g., SOIC8) fail in high-vibration environments (e.g., factory machinery) and are hard to repair in the field. The MC34063ECD-TR??s PDIP8 package resists vibration and enables easy through-hole repairs. A factory maintenance manager confirmed ??our old surface-mount converter failed 4x monthly due to vibration; this PDIP8 model has zero failures in 2 years. Field repairs also take 15 minutes instead of 1 hour, minimizing production downtime.??

Third, its integrated design simplifies discrete circuit complexity. Discrete power circuits (separate controller, switch, diode) take 5x more PCB space and require time-consuming tuning. The MC34063ECD-TR??s integrated components eliminate this work. A home appliance designer shared ??our old discrete circuit needed a 25mm x 25mm PCB area; this converter fits in 10mm x 10mm-critical for our slim dishwasher control board. Tuning time also dropped from 3 weeks to 1 day, speeding up product development by 6 weeks.??

Typical Applications of MC34063ECD-TR

The MC34063ECD-TR is engineered to solve rugged, flexible power conversion challenges-with proven success in these key B2B use cases:

• Industrial Automation (Factory Sensor Arrays): Converting 24V factory power to 3.3V (sensors) and 12V (transceivers) with one converter. A factory operator confirmed ??sensors run continuously for 3 years with no power issues, vs. 8-month failures with single-mode regulators-cutting replacement costs by 75%.??
• Home Appliances (Dishwashers/Washing Machines): Regulating 12V AC DC adapter power to 5V (motor controls) and 3.3V (display panels). A home tech brand noted ??PDIP8 package withstands washer vibration, and dual-mode operation cuts component count by 50%-reducing appliance cost by 12%.??
• Internet of Things (IoT) Remote Monitors: Step-up 3.7V lithium-ion power to 5V (sensors) and step-down to 3.3V (microcontrollers). An IoT provider reported ??0.1mA shutdown current extends battery life to 16 months, and wide input range handles solar trickle charging-minimizing site visits.??
• Test and Measurement (Portable Tools): Converting 9V battery power to 1.25V?C15V for diverse test components. A test equipment maker shared ??adjustable frequency lets us optimize for efficiency, and PDIP8 package makes prototyping 2x faster than surface-mount alternatives.??
• Security and Surveillance (Wired Cameras): Step-down 24V POE power to 5V (camera processors) and step-up to 12V (IR LEDs). A security firm confirmed ??88% efficiency cuts heat in camera housings, and wide input range handles POE voltage fluctuations-zero camera downtime in 2 years.??

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is the PDIP8 package better for industrial machinery?

Industrial machinery (e.g., assembly lines) generates vibration (up to 2G) that damages surface-mount packages (e.g., SOIC8) over time. The MC34063ECD-TR??s PDIP8 through-hole package is mechanically stable, resisting vibration and thermal stress. A factory maintenance manager noted ??our old surface-mount converter failed 4x monthly; this PDIP8 model has zero failures in 2 years. Through-hole mounting also makes field repairs 3x faster, minimizing production downtime.??

How does dual-mode operation benefit home appliances?

Home appliances (e.g., dishwashers) power components with different voltages-5V for motor controls and 3.3V for displays. Single-mode regulators need two chips, but the MC34063ECD-TR handles both with one. A home appliance designer shared ??this cuts component count by 50%, reducing PCB space by 40% and appliance cost by 12%. Standardizing on one converter also simplifies inventory management, cutting logistics costs by 22%.??

Can the MC34063ECD-TR operate with solar power sources?

Yes. Its 3V?C40V input range handles solar panel voltage fluctuations (e.g., 6V?C24V depending on sunlight) without external clamping. The adjustable output also powers 3.3V microcontrollers and 5V sensors. An IoT monitor provider confirmed ??we use it with 12V solar panels; the wide input range handles cloudy-day voltage drops (down to 3V) and sunny-day spikes (up to 18V). This reliability lets us deploy monitors in off-grid sites with no grid backup.??

What value does adjustable switching frequency add for test tools?

Test tools need to balance inductor size and efficiency. Low frequency (100kHz) uses large inductors but boosts efficiency; high frequency (1MHz) uses small inductors but may reduce efficiency. The 100kHz?C1MHz range lets users optimize. A test engineer noted ??for our bench tool, we set frequency to 500kHz-this let us use a 45% smaller inductor while keeping 87% efficiency. For field tools, we lower it to 200kHz for 89% efficiency, extending battery life.??

How does low shutdown current extend IoT monitor battery life?

IoT remote monitors spend 95% of time in standby, so shutdown current dominates battery life. The MC34063ECD-TR??s 0.1mA shutdown current is 99% lower than 10mA alternatives. An IoT provider shared ??our old 10mA converter lasted 5 months; this one extends life to 16 months-saving $700 annually per site in battery replacements. Fewer site visits also reduce labor costs by 75%, making remote deployments more cost-effective.??