74HC238 Demultiplexer IC

74HC238 Demultiplexer IC is a high-performance 3-to-8 line decoder/demultiplexer designed using High-Speed CMOS (HC) technology. It is widely used in digital electronics for signal routing, memory address decoding, data distribution, and control logic applications. With its low power consumption, fast switching speed, and wide operating voltage range, the 74HC238 is ideal for both educational projects and professional embedded system designs.

This IC features three binary select inputs (A, B, C), three enable inputs, and eight mutually exclusive active-HIGH outputs. Only one output is enabled at a time, making it perfect for one-of-eight decoding and demultiplexing operations. The presence of multiple enable pins allows easy cascading and system-level control, enabling designers to expand decoding capabilities without additional logic.

Key Features of 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC

• 3-to-8 Line Decoder/Demultiplexer for precise output selection

• Active-HIGH Outputs ensure clean and direct logic interfacing

• Three Enable Inputs (two active-LOW, one active-HIGH) for flexible control

• High-Speed CMOS Technology (HC) for fast switching performance

• Low Power Consumption, suitable for battery-powered applications

• Wide Operating Voltage Range from 2V to 6V

• TTL-Compatible Inputs for seamless integration with legacy systems

• Excellent Noise Immunity in digital environments

• Compact DIP-16 / SOP-16 Package options for easy PCB mounting

Technical Specifications – 74HC238 IC

• IC Type: 3-to-8 Line Decoder / Demultiplexer

• Logic Family: 74HC (High-Speed CMOS)

• Number of Inputs: 3 Select + 3 Enable

• Number of Outputs: 8 Active-HIGH

• Operating Voltage (Vcc): 2V to 6V

• Typical Propagation Delay: ~8 ns (at 5V)

• Output Drive Capability: ±4 mA

• Input Logic Levels: CMOS / TTL Compatible

• Operating Temperature Range: –40°C to +85°C

• Package Types: DIP-16, SOP-16, TSSOP-16

• Pin Count: 16

How the 74HC238 Demultiplexer Works

The 74HC238 uses three binary select inputs (A, B, C) to choose one of eight outputs. When enabled, only the selected output goes HIGH, while all other outputs remain LOW. The enable pins control whether decoding occurs, allowing designers to disable the IC or cascade multiple decoders for larger decoding systems such as 4-to-16 or 5-to-32 decoding.

This logic behavior makes the 74HC238 extremely useful in memory addressing, microcontroller I/O expansion, and data routing circuits.

Applications of 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC

The 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC is widely used across various digital and embedded applications, including:

🔹 Embedded Systems & Microcontroller Projects

• I/O expansion for Arduino, STM32, PIC, and AVR

• Peripheral selection and control

• Address decoding in microcontroller systems

🔹 Memory and Address Decoding

• SRAM and ROM chip select generation

• Bus decoding in microprocessor systems

• Control signal routing

🔹 Digital Electronics & Logic Design

• Data demultiplexing circuits

• One-of-eight signal selection

• Timing and control logic

🔹 Industrial & Automation Systems

• Control panel signal distribution

• Relay and actuator control

• PLC input/output decoding

🔹 Education & DIY Electronics

• Digital logic experiments

• Engineering lab demonstrations

• Learning combinational logic concepts

Why Choose the 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC?

The 74HC238 stands out due to its high speed, low power operation, and design flexibility. Compared to older TTL-based decoders, it consumes significantly less power while offering superior noise immunity and voltage flexibility. Its standardized pinout and wide availability make it a trusted choice for students, hobbyists, and professional engineers alike.

Whether you are designing a compact embedded system, expanding microcontroller outputs, or teaching digital logic fundamentals, the 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC delivers reliable, efficient, and scalable performance.

Package Includes:

1 x 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC

FAQ

1. Where can we buy this 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC?

This product is available online  https://aiiottech.in/product/74hc238-demultiplexer-ic/  and also available at our store in Pudupakkam/Kelambakkam, Chennai-603103

2. When can I get this 74HC238 Demultiplexer IC after placing the order?

RGRJ AIIoT TECHNOLOGIES will immediately ship and deliver the product within 1-3 working days.

Video Link: How to Use Decoder as Demultiplexer | 1 to 4 and 1 to 8 Demultiplexer