HG74HC04
High-speed CMOS hex inverter with 2V-6V operation, 8ns delay, and 4mA drive for digital logic
Product Overview
Description
HG74HC04 is a hex inverter containing six independent NOT gates in a single package, designed for general purpose digital logic applications.
With high-speed CMOS technology, 2V to 6V supply range, and 8ns typical propagation delay, this device provides reliable logic inversion in various systems.
The device is pin-compatible with industry standard 74HC04 and provides drop-in replacement capability for cost-sensitive designs.
Product Series
HG
Primary Application
Logic level inversion
Key Features
- Pin-compatible with 74HC04
- Six independent inverters in one package
- Wide 2V to 6V supply voltage range
- Low power consumption
- High noise immunity
- Balanced propagation delays
- Symmetrical output drive
- ESD protection exceeds 2000V
Specifications
| Logic Function | Hex inverter (6 NOT gates) |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage Range | 2.0V to 6.0V |
| Input High Voltage | 0.7×VCC min |
| Input Low Voltage | 0.3×VCC max |
| Output Drive Current | ±4mA at 5V |
| Propagation Delay | 8ns typical at 5V |
| Power Dissipation | Quiescent: 2μA max |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Package | SOP-14, DIP-14, TSSOP-14 |
Applications
Logic level inversion
Electronic system design
Clock signal buffering
Sensor signal conditioning
Oscillator circuits
Electronic system design
Signal conditioning
Sensor signal conditioning
Address/data line inversion
Electronic system design
Control logic
Industrial automation and control
General purpose logic
Electronic system design
FAE Expert Insights
"HG74HC04 is an essential building block for digital designs. The hex configuration provides six inverters in one package, making it cost-effective for designs requiring multiple inversion functions. I frequently use these for clock buffering, signal conditioning, and creating simple oscillators with RC networks. The 8ns propagation delay is fast enough for most microcontroller applications up to 50MHz. The wide voltage range allows use in mixed 3.3V/5V systems. For oscillator applications, I recommend using two inverters in series with RC feedback for stable operation. The TSSOP-14 package is great for space-constrained designs. This is a reliable, cost-effective alternative to standard 74HC04."
Cost-effective hex inverter for multiple logic functions
— Lisa Wang, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I build an oscillator using HG74HC04?
A simple RC oscillator can be built using two HG74HC04 inverters in series with an RC network. Connect R between inverter 1 output and inverter 2 input, and C from inverter 2 input to GND. Connect inverter 2 output back to inverter 1 input. Frequency is approximately f = 1/(2.2 × R × C). For example, with R=10kΩ and C=10nF, frequency is about 4.5kHz. For crystal oscillators, use a Pierce configuration with two inverters, crystal, and two capacitors. This provides stable clock for microcontrollers. For best stability, use COG/NPO ceramic capacitors and place components close together.
Use RC oscillator for simple timing or crystal for precision clock. Contact our FAE team for oscillator design guidelines.
What is the difference between 74HC04 and 74HCT04?
74HC04 has CMOS input thresholds (0.3×VCC for low, 0.7×VCC for high) and operates from 2V to 6V. 74HCT04 has TTL-compatible input thresholds (0.8V max for low, 2.0V min for high) and operates from 4.5V to 5.5V. Use 74HC04 for CMOS systems with 3.3V or 5V supplies. Use 74HCT04 when interfacing with TTL devices or when you need guaranteed TTL-compatible input thresholds at 5V. Both have the same output characteristics (CMOS levels) and propagation delay. HG74HC04 is the CMOS version suitable for modern CMOS systems.
Use HG74HC04 for CMOS systems. Use 74HCT04 for TTL compatibility. Contact our FAE team for logic family selection.
How do I cascade multiple HG74HC04 inverters for delay?
Multiple HG74HC04 inverters can be cascaded to create precise delay lines. Each inverter provides approximately 8ns propagation delay at 5V. Cascading two inverters (inverting twice) provides about 16ns delay with non-inverted output. Cascading an odd number of inverters creates an inverting delay line. For longer delays, use more stages. For example, 10 inverters provide about 80ns delay. Note that delay varies with temperature and supply voltage. For precise delays, consider using dedicated delay lines or RC networks with Schmitt triggers. Inverters are best for short delays (<100ns) in digital timing applications.
Use cascaded inverters for short delays (<100ns). For longer delays, use RC networks. Contact our FAE team for timing solutions.
Can HG74HC04 drive LEDs directly?
HG74HC04 can drive LEDs directly with current limiting resistors. Maximum output current is ±4mA at 5V while maintaining proper logic levels. For LED indication (not logic levels), up to 20mA may be possible but output voltage will drop. To drive an LED: Connect LED anode to VCC through resistor, cathode to inverter output; or LED cathode to GND through resistor, anode to inverter output (inverted logic). Calculate resistor as R = (VCC - VLED) / ILED. For 5V, 2V LED, 10mA: R = (5-2)/0.01 = 300Ω. For high-current LEDs, use a transistor buffer.
HG74HC04 can drive low-current LEDs directly. For high-brightness LEDs, use buffer. Contact our FAE team for LED drive circuits.
What is the power consumption of HG74HC04 at different frequencies?
HG74HC04 power consumption has two components: Static (quiescent) current is 2μA max at all frequencies. Dynamic current increases with switching frequency: Pdynamic = Cpd × VCC² × f × n, where Cpd is power dissipation capacitance (20pF typical), f is frequency, and n is number of switching gates. At 5V, 1MHz, with all 6 gates switching: P = 20pF × 25 × 1MHz × 6 = 3mW. At 10MHz: 30mW. Total current at 1MHz is approximately (3mW/5V) + 2μA = 0.6mA. This low dynamic power makes CMOS ideal for battery-powered digital circuits.
Power consumption is frequency-dependent. Calculate based on switching frequency. Contact our FAE team for power estimation.
How do I interface HG74HC04 with 3.3V and 5V systems?
HG74HC04 can operate at either 3.3V or 5V. For 3.3V to 5V level translation: 3.3V CMOS output (0-3.3V) driving 5V HC input requires 3.3V > 0.7×5V = 3.5V, which barely meets threshold. Use HCT input for guaranteed 3.3V compatibility at 5V. For 5V to 3.3V: 5V output must not exceed 3.3V input rating. Use voltage divider or level shifter. HG74HC04 powered at 3.3V outputs 0-3.3V signals. HG74HC04 at 5V outputs 0-5V signals. For mixed systems, consider using separate logic families or dedicated level shifters like HG74LVC series.
Use HCT for 3.3V to 5V interface. Use level shifters for 5V to 3.3V. Contact our FAE team for mixed-voltage design.