# Get Started Quickly with the PIC-IoT WA Development Board – Power Supply Configuration Guide

**URL:** <https://forum.digikey.com/t/get-started-quickly-with-the-pic-iot-wa-development-board-power-supply-configuration-guide/69651>\
**Category:** Development Boards, Kits, Programmers\
**Tags:** microchip-technology, evaluation-boards, tech-tips\
**Created:** [June 11, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/get-started-quickly-with-the-pic-iot-wa-development-board-power-supply-configuration-guide/69651 "2026-06-11T07:45:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Alan\_Yang](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/alan_yang/32/2323_2.png) [@Alan\_Yang](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Alan_Yang)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/get-started-quickly-with-the-pic-iot-wa-development-board-power-supply-configuration-guide/69651/1 "2026-06-11T07:45:15Z")

</div>

Power supply is the foundation for stable operation of the development board. Understanding the power paths enables quick troubleshooting of common issues such as failure to boot on power-up, abnormal charging, and insufficient power for external peripherals, and prevents hardware damage caused by incorrect power configuration.

## Application Scenarios

- Development & Debugging: Powered directly from PC via USB, supplying power to both the on-board debugger and target MCU simultaneously.
- Standalone Operation: Powered by a 3.7 V Li-Po battery to build a portable IoT node without a USB cable connection.

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/5/2/52d45be53661d96b70e6d76dfd5a30c77b4323be.png)  
(Images sourced from Microchip)

## Power Architecture & Power Paths

### Dual Power Input Options

1. **USB Power Supply**

2. **Battery Power Supply**

### Current Limit

The total USB input current is capped at 500 mA, shared between battery charging and target circuit operation, to avoid overloading the PC USB port.

## 2. Charge Management (MCP73871)

### Key Electrical Specifications

- Charging Voltage: Fixed at 4.2 V; only compatible with 3.7 V nominal Li-Po batteries with a 4.2 V full-charge cut-off voltage.
- Charging Current: Factory default limited to 100 mA, suitable for small-capacity batteries (400 mAh or higher recommended to prevent overcharging).
- Timeout Protection: Maximum charging cycle duration set to 6 hours; a fault condition triggers automatically upon timeout.

### LED Status Indication Table

| **LED Status** | **Definition** |
| --- | --- |
| Solid Red | Charging in progress |
| Solid Green | Charging completed |
| Blinking Red | Battery undervoltage (Voltage \< 3.1 V) |
| Both Red & Green Lit Simultaneously | Charging timeout fault |

**Related Documents**

- [PIC-IoT WA User Manual](https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/30010219B.pdf)
- [PIC-IoT Wx User Manual](https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/aemDocuments/documents/MCU08/ProductDocuments/UserGuides/PIC-IoT-Wx-Hardware-User-Guide-DS50002964A.pdf)

**Related Products**

- PIC-IoT WA Development Board ( [EV54Y39A](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/microchip-technology/EV54Y39A/11594550))

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