8542.32.00.51 - Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)

This HTS category, 8542.32.00.51, specifically classifies electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) devices. EEPROMs are a type of non-volatile memory that can be erased and reprogrammed electrically, allowing for data to be updated without requiring the removal of the integrated circuit from the device. These integrated circuits are essential components in a vast array of electronic equipment, storing firmware, configuration data, or small amounts of user data that need to persist even when power is removed.

It is crucial to distinguish EEPROM from its sibling categories within the "Memories" classification. Unlike Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM) (8542.32.00.41), which is volatile and loses data when power is off, EEPROM retains data. Furthermore, it differs from Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) (8542.32.00.61) by its method of erasure; EPROMs require ultraviolet light for erasure, whereas EEPROMs use electrical signals. The "Other" category (8542.32.00.71) serves as a catch-all for memory types that do not fit the specific parameters of EEPROM, SRAM, or EPROM.

As this classification represents a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, classification under 8542.32.00.51 hinges directly on the device's technical capability to be electrically erasable and reprogrammable, while retaining data when unpowered, and being a form of read-only memory. Examples of products utilizing such memory include microcontrollers, data loggers, and consumer electronics requiring persistent configuration settings.