I always thought that one of the PIC's advantages
was it's low current consumption ( 2mA @ 4 MHz )
according to the datasheets. When I last did
a current measure of my PIC16C74 I wasn't the
least surprised to find an Idd of about 10mA !!!

The PIC is running at 4MHz at 5V with WDT disabled
and Code Prot. off. What could be the problem ?
(I've checked for DC paths that could draw any
excess currents ... none found !)

Ben R.