Robin Abbott wrote: > I am surprised by the blowing of the chip on 12V applied to MCLR You shouldn't be. This is very clearly spelled out in the datasheet right where you'd look for it. The third line down under Absolute Maximum Rating= s specifies -300mV to 6V as the range. Since 12V > 6V, there should be no surprise that it goes poof at 12V. > as all inputs are protected by static protection diodes which can > usually handle several mA which is below the current limit of most > programmers. So let me get this straight. You guess how the circuitry is implemented, and based on that guess, you decide you know better than the PIC designers and that the absolute maximum limits published in the datasheet are wrong!!= ? I won't bother explain then what is wrong with your guess since I expect to have even less credibility than the datasheet. Or if I got this wrong I apologize, but then please do show us a copy of your personal exemption certificate for being allowed to violate the laws o= f physics. ******************************************************************** Embed Inc, Littleton Massachusetts, http://www.embedinc.com/products (978) 742-9014. Gold level PIC consultants since 2000. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .